Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Effect of Tetanus Toxin Applied Locally to the Cerebral Cortex of the Dog

Tetanus toxin injected into the cortex produces convulsions, neurological disability, and a strychnine-like discharging focus, appearing after a minimal latency of 2 days and lasting more than a month. Such a focus, apparently caused by a blockade of inhibitory synapses, does not demonstrate any major damage in microscopic studies.
Effect of coldfog on the corona induced degradation of silicone rubber samples

Corona is an unavoidable phenomena in high voltage power transmission system, in spite of suitably designed insulator accessories and transmission line hardware. It is a proven fact that the continuous occurrence of corona can subject the polymeric insulator to a severe degradation. Further, moisture in the air has a positive influence on the corona activity. This paper presents the methodology to evaluate the corona performance of the silicone rubber housing material with simultaneous application of cold fog. Analysis conducted after corona treatment by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) present an interesting results showing a higher hydroxylation of sample surface under the moisture application than in the normal condition for both AC and DC excitation. FTIR spectrum also indicates the presence of nitric acid on the treated surface with coldfog application. Results obtained from SEM analysis are also presented.
Psychological and Psychosocial Impairment in Preschoolers With Selective Eating: Concerns Regarding Methods and Data Interpretation

We read with interest the article by Zucker et al,1 “Psychological and psychosocial impairment in preschoolers with selective eating. ” The authors reported that moderate and severe selective eating (SE) were associated with current and future psychological symptoms, and that “findings suggest that health care providers should intervene at even moderate levels of SE. ” We believe that the reported data do not support these conclusions. The authors deem this study population to be a “community sample,” but the participant selection process yielded a population not representative of most communities. After screening 3433 primary care patients, the authors selected all 943 patients deemed at high … E-mail: susanna.huh{at}childrens.harvard. edu
Chronic exogenous exophiala dermatitidis endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE To describe a case of chronic exogenous Exophiala dermatitidis endophthalmitis. METHODS Retrospective chart review and case report. RESULTS A 60-year-old man with history of chronic herpes zoster keratitis complicated by secondary fungal keratitis treated with penetrating keratoplasty presented with a white cataract, chronic anterior uveitis, and counting fingers vision in the left eye. Combined cataract extraction and diagnostic vitrectomy revealed positive cultures and polymerase chain reaction-based testing for E. dermatitidis-the same organism responsible for the keratitis. The patient was treated with multiple oral, intravenous, and intravitreal antifungal agents. Ultimately, the corneal infection recurred and the patient elected to undergo enucleation. Filamentous fungi consistent with E. dermatitidis infection were identified in the cornea of the enucleation specimen. CONCLUSION Although rare, Exophiala species can cause exogenous endophthalmitis. Chronic endophthalmitis should be suspected in patients who develop persistent intraocular inflammation after infectious keratitis.
Factors Associated with Vancomycin Nephrotoxicity in the Critically Ill

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly used in the management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. The recent increase in prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin has prompted experts to advocate for higher target trough serum concentrations. This study aimed to evaluate the potential consequences of more aggressive vancomycin therapy, by examining the association between higher serum concentrations and acute kidney injury (AKI) in a population of critically ill patients. We collected data for all patients who received vancomycin over a five-year period and evaluated the prevalence of new-onset AKI using the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End-stage (RIFLE) kidney disease criteria. One-hundred and fifty-nine patients provided complete data, with 8.8% manifesting new onset AKI while receiving vancomycin. The median age was 57 (44 to 68) years, while the median trough serum concentration was 16 (10 to 19) mg/l. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified mean trough concentration (OR=1.174, P=0.024), APACHE II score (OR=1.141, P=0.012) and simultaneous aminoglycoside prescription (OR=18.896, P=0.002) as significant predictors of AKI. These data suggest higher trough vancomycin serum concentrations are associated with greater odds of AKI in the critically ill.
Regulation of receptor binding affinity of influenza virus hemagglutinin by its carbohydrate moiety

The hemagglutinin (HA) of the fowl plague virus (FPV) strain of influenza A virus has two N-linked oligosaccharides attached to Asn123 and Asn149 in the vicinity of the receptor binding site. The effect of these carbohydrate side chains on the binding of HA to neuraminic acid-containing receptors has been analyzed. When the oligosaccharides were deleted by site-specific mutagenesis, HA expressed from a simian virus 40 vector showed enhanced hemadsorbing activity. Binding was so strong under these conditions that erythrocytes were no longer released by viral neuraminidase and that release was significantly reduced when neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae was used. Similarly, when these oligosaccharides were removed selectively from purified viruses by N-glycosidase F, such virions were unable to elute from receptors, although they retained neuraminidase activity. Thus, release of FPV from cell receptors depends on the presence of the HA glycans at Asn123 and Asn149. On the other hand, receptor binding was abolished when these oligosaccharides were sialylated after expression in the absence of neuraminidase (M. Ohuchi, A. Feldmann, R. Ohuchi, and H.-D. Klenk, Virology 212:77-83, 1995). These observations indicate that the receptor affinity of FPV HA is controlled by oligosaccharides adjacent to the receptor binding site.
Prevalence of Hand Dermatitis in Inpatient Nurses at a United States Hospital

Background: Hand dermatitis is a significant problem among inpatient nurses. Accurate population‐based data on the prevalence and risk factors for hand dermatitis in this group are lacking. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis in inpatient nurses at a US hospital. Methods: Each nursing unit in a single hospital was visited twice by a single physician. All nurses working at the time of each visit were questioned and examined. No nurses were enrolled twice. Results: Fifty‐five percent (92 of 167) of the nurses had hand dermatitis. Among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, the prevalence was 65% (35 of 54); among non‐ICU nurses, the prevalence was 50% (57 of 113). In nurses with self‐reported atopic dermatitis, the prevalence was 71% (12 of 17); in nurses without self‐reported atopic dermatitis, it was 53% (80 of 150). Data collection on variables such as hand hygiene and glove use relied on subject recall and was considered unreliable. There was a low prevalence of atopic patients. Conclusions: Hand dermatitis affects over 50% of inpatient nurses. Hand dermatitis appears to be more common in the ICU setting and in nurses with a self‐reported history of atopy.
Factor endowments, heterogeneous labor and North-South migration.

The relationship between the relative factor endowments of heterogeneous labor in the North and South of the United States and interregional labor migration is examined. "The purpose of the present paper is to make explicit a sufficient set of conditions that will support a factor endowment based migration model and to evaluate the advantages and weaknesses of that model. " The model's predictions are tested using data from the 1970 census.
An Easily Removable Ceramic Bracket?

The use of ceramic brackets in fixed appliance orthodontics has highlighted several problems, amongst which are the problems of enamel damage and possible trauma to the patient during debonding. A ceramic bracket has recently been developed with a polycarbonate laminated base (Ceramaflex®) claiming to make debond much easier, although there are no independent data to substantiate this claim. The in-vitro bond strength of these ceramic brackets to enamel was tested and compared with metal standard Edgewise brackets. The bond produced with the Ceramaflex® bracket was similar in magnitude, but less reliable. No fracture of the bracket or damage to enamel was seen during debonding. Debonding of these brackets was easy to carry out, but it is possible that more debonds may occur during treatment than with the use of metal brackets.
Universality of local eigenvalue statistics for some sample covariance matrices

We consider random, complex sample covariance matrices $${1 \over N}$$ X*X, where X is a p × N random matrix with i.i. d. entries of distribution μ. It has been conjectured that both the distribution of the distance between nearest neighbor eigenvalues in the bulk and that of the smallest eigenvalues become, in the limit N → ∞, $${p \over N}$$ → 1, the same as that identified for a complex Gaussian distribution μ. We prove these conjectures for a certain class of probability distributions μ. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Readmissions and repeat procedures after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of all-cause rehospitalization and due to atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFl), repeat ablation of AF/AFl, mortality within 30 days and 1-year follow-up in patients after AF/AFl ablation procedure. METHODS Using data from the National Health Fund we identified a database comprising 2,022 patients who underwent AF/AFl ablation between January, 2012 and December, 2012 in Poland. The primary endpoint was readmission to hospital with discharge diagnosis AF/AFl. The secondary endpoints included: repeat AF/AFl ablation, cardiovascular hospitalization, all-cause hospitalization, all-cause mortality assessed in 30-day and 1-year time frame. RESULTS The mean age was 58.6 ± 10.9 years (66.8% male). The mean time of the index ablation hospitalization was 3.8 ± 2.6 days. After discharge, 123 (6.1%) and 540 (26.7%) patients were hospitalized because of AF/AFl within 30 days and 1 year, respectively. During 1-year follow-up, 192 (9.5%) patients underwent subsequent AF/AFl ablations. The patients that underwent the second ablation were younger (56.6 ± 11.0 vs. 59.1 ± 10.8; p = 0.019) and the time of the index hospitalization was shorter (3.75 ± 2.16 vs. 4.45 ± 3.26; p = 0.03). Within 30 days 194 (9.6%) patients were hospitalized and 747 (36.9%) in 1-year follow-up. All-cause mortality was 0.1% and 1.4% in 30-day and 1-year follow-up, respectively. In a 1-year follow-up patients hospitalized from AF/AFl recurrence were more frequently hospitalized due to cardiovascular diseases other than AF/AFl (9.6% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.026), especially due to hypertension (2.9% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Over 1 out of 4 patients who underwent AF/AFl ablation were hospitalized due to arrhythmia recurrence in 1 year.
Role of CD4 T Cell Help and Costimulation in CD8 T Cell Responses During Listeria monocytogenes Infection 1

CD4 T cells are known to assist the CD8 T cell response by activating APC via CD40-CD40 ligand (L) interactions. However, recent data have shown that bacterial products can directly activate APC through Toll-like receptors, resulting in up-regulation of costimulatory molecules necessary for the efficient priming of naive T cells. It remains unclear what role CD4 T cell help and various costimulation pathways play in the development of CD8 T cell responses during bacterial infection. In this study, we examined these questions using an intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, as a model of infection. In CD4 T cell-depleted, CD4−/−, and MHC class II−/− mice, L. monocytogenes infection induced CD8 T cell activation and primed epitope-specific CD8 T cells to levels commensurate with those in normal C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, these epitope-specific CD8 T cells established long-term memory in CD4−/− mice that was capable of mounting a protective recall response. In vitro analysis showed that L. monocytogenes directly stimulated the activation and maturation of murine dendritic cells. The CD8 T cell response to L. monocytogenes was normal in CD40L−/− mice but defective in CD28−/− and CD137L−/− mice. These data show that in situations where infectious agents or immunogens can directly activate APC, CD8 T cell responses are less dependent on CD4 T cell help via the CD40-CD40L pathway but involve costimulation through CD137-CD137L and B7-CD28 interactions.
Effects of Tributyltin on the Development of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Eruptions in DS-Nh Mice

Background: In the last few decades, numerous chemical compounds have been produced as a result of industrial development. At the same time, the number of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients has been increasing. It has been reported that tributyltin (TBT) compounds have effects not only on the reproductive system but also on the immune system. Objective: To investigate whether TBT has an effect on AD, we fed a diet containing TBT to DS-Nh mice, which spontaneously developed dermatitis under conventional conditions. Methods: DS-Nh mice fed TBT or a control diet were examined for skin changes, number of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin and serum IgE levels. To determine Th1/Th2 cytokine production by lymphocytes, lymphocytes of DS-Nh mice fed TBT and of controls were cultured with staphylococcal enterotoxin B and cytokine levels in the supernatants were measured by ELISA. We observed not only spontaneous dermatitis but also dermatitis induced by sensitization with 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). Results and Conclusion: The AD-like lesions induced by TNCB sensitization were more severe in the mice fed TBT than in those fed the control diet. A greater increase in S. aureus on the skin was observed in the mice fed TBT than in the mice fed the control diet. A decrease in IFN-γ production and an increase in IL-5 and IL-13 production were observed in the mice fed the TBT diet and treated with TNCB. These findings suggest that the increase in S. aureus and the enhancement of Th2 response induced by TBT exacerbate the AD-like lesions in mice treated with TNCB.
Occupational Stress among Secretarial Personnel at the University of Transkei

The objective was to explore how much 22 secretarial personnel (M age = 36.0 yr., SD = 4.8 yr.) at the University of Transkei, 14 of whom were unmarried, experienced stress in their work. Scores on a 20-item questionnaire indicated no occupational stress.
Formal Systems and Agent-Based Social Simulation Equals Null?

This paper discusses some of the merits of the use of formal logic in multi-agent systems and agent-based simulation research. Reasons for the plethora of formal systems are discussed as well as how formal systems and agent-based social simulation can work together. As an example a formal system for describing social relationships and interactions in a multi-agent system is presented and how this could benefit from agent-based social simulation as well as make a contribution is discussed.
On-Site Calibration for High Precision Measurements of Water Vapor Isotope Ratios Using Off-Axis Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy

AbstractStable isotope ratio measurements of atmospheric water vapor (δ18Ov and δ2Hv) are scarce relative to those in precipitation. This limitation is rapidly changing due to advances in absorption spectroscopy technology and the development of automatically calibrated field-deployable instrument systems. These systems allow high throughput, in situ monitoring of the temporal variability in δ18Ov and δ2Hv. This paper presents a robust calibration procedure for reliable, high-precision δ18Ov and δ2Hv measurements at less than hourly intervals in this study. The method described here was developed and tested using a coupled system consisting of a commercial water vapor isotopic source device and a commercial water vapor isotope analyzer [Los Gatos Research (LGR) model WVIA-24] based on the off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (off-axis ICOS) technique. The isotope analyzer shows a time-dependent response that varies with water vapor mixing ratio, suggesting the need of regular (hourly) calibratio.
Cyclic AMP Maintenance of Rabbit Reticulocyte Haem and Protein Synthesis in the Presence of Ethanol and Benzene

Haemin is necessary for maximal protein synthesis in intact reticulocytes and their cell‐free lysate preparations. Under conditions of haemin deficiency a translational protein repressor of initiation (HCRA) forms from a non‐inhibitory form of the same protein (HCR1) and protein synthesis ceases. It has recently been suggested that this repressor is a protein kinase and that high concentrations of 3′,5’cyclic AMP could substitute for haemin in maintaining reticulocyte lysate cell‐free protein synthesis. The present study was undertaken, therefore, to investigate if cAMP had a similar function in intact rabbit reticulocytes. The cells were incubated with eidier epinephrine (10‐6 M), isoproterenol (10‐4 M), theophylline (10‐4 M) or dibutyryl cAMP (10‐4 M). All these compounds elevated the intracellular concentration of cAMP within the first 2 min of incubation, as measured by a specific competitive binding assay. This indicates that rabbit reticulocytes contain both adenyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase systems. The cells were incubated with an inhibitor of haem synthesis (either 0.1 M ethanol or 0.1 M benzene) to form HCRA prematurely and inhibit protein synthesis. When the cells were incubated simultaneously with any one of these inhibitors and either epinephrine, isoproterenol, theophylline or dibutyryl cAMP, there was no inhibition of haem or protein synthesis and no demonstrable HCRA. Furthermore, dibutyryl cAMP reversed the inhibition of both haem and protein synthesis induced by ethanol or benzene. Dibutyryl cAMP relieved the inhibition of haem synthesis prior to relieving the inhibition of protein synthesis, which indicates that sufficient haemin must be present before maximal protein synthesis may resume. In contrast, elevation of cyclic AMP levels did not protect against iron deficiency inhibition of either haem or protein synthesis. This indicates that in intact cells cAMP does not directly convert HCRA to HCR1
Monitoring Chemical Reactions by Using Ion‐Channel‐Forming Peptides

This paper presents a method for monitoring chemical reactions on individual molecules. We exploit the functional properties of an ion-channel-forming peptide to follow the conversion of chemical groups on molecules attached near the opening of these semisynthetic nanopores. It is known that the conductance properties of derivatives of gramicidin A (gA) can be measurably different. [1] Here, we take advantage of singlechannel conductance measurements to monitor in situ the multistep conversion of a tert-butyloxycarbonyl-protected (Boc-protected) amine to the free amine and the subsequent diazotization/hydrodediazoniation of the amine to an alcohol functionality on molecules attached to gA. These model reactions show that gA provides a simple nanoscale platform for sensing external chemical reagents with high sensitivity and selectivity. Gramicidin A is a natural ion-channel-forming peptide (molecular weight 1.9 kDa, secreted from the bacterium Bacillus brevis) that incorporates into lipid bilayers and facilitates the transmembrane flux of monovalent cations upon reversible dimerization in bilayers (Figure 1 A). [2] Although several artificial ion channels based on genetically engineered proteins, [3] peptides, [4] or oligomers of organic molecules [5] have been explored for their potential use as chemo- and biosensors, [6] most of these sensors are designed to sense particular structural properties of chemical or biochemical species (such as the ability of a ligand to interact with a binding pocket). In this work, we explore the use of ion channels derived from gA to detect chemicals that display particular functional properties (such as the ability to facilitate specific chemical transformations). Bayley and co-workers have previously demonstrated that wild-type and genetically modified a-hemolysin (a 232.4 kDa protein [7] ) can be used to monitor the conversion of a light-driven reaction by recording distinct conductances of intermediates throughout the course of the reaction. [3c] Here,
Skeletal muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase activity during acetate infusion in humans.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity (PDHa), acetyl group, and citrate accumulation were examined in human skeletal muscle at rest and during cycling exercise while acetate was infused. Eight subjects received 400 mmol of sodium acetate (Ace) at a constant rate during 20 min of rest, 5 min of cycling at 40% maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) and 15 min of cycling at 80% VO2max. Two weeks later experiments were repeated while 400 mmol of sodium bicarbonate was infused in the control condition (CON). Ace infusion increased muscle acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), citrate, and acetylcarnitine. A decline in resting PDHa during 20 min of Ace infusion (0.37 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.03 mmol.min-1.kg wet wt-1) coincided with an elevation in the acetyl-CoA-to-free CoA ratio (acetyl-CoA/CoASH; 0.28 +/- 0.04 to 0.73 +/- 0.14). After 20 min of CON infusion, resting PDHa (0.32 +/- 0.06 mmol.min-1.kg wet wt-1) was similar to PDHa before Ace infusion. During exercise, acetyl-CoA, citrate, and acetyl-CoA/CoASH were further elevated, and the differences that existed at rest were resolved. PDHa increased to the same extent in Ace and CON, in which it was 44-47% transformed after 5 min at 40% VO2max and completely transformed after 15 min at 80% VO2max. At rest PDHa was regulated by variations in acetyl-CoA/CoASH secondary to enhanced acetate metabolism. Conversely, during exercise PDHa regulation appeared independent of variations in acetyl-CoA/CoASH. The resting data are consistent with a central role for PDHa and citrate in the regulation of the glucose-fatty acid cycle in skeletal muscle, as classically proposed. However, in the present study Ace infusion was not effective in perturbing the glucose-fatty acid cycle during exercise.
Infections of Wild Animals with Anaplasma phagocytophila in Austria and the Czech Republic

Infections in animals and humans caused by Anaplasma phagocytophila, a granulocytic parasite, occur throughout the Europe. The main vector of A. phagocytophila in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus. This tick species has an extremely wide range of animal hosts including birds, lizards, hedgehogs, small mammals, as well as animals such as roe and red deer, wild boar, and fox. ' However, the role of wild animals as a potential reservoir for A. phagocytophila in Europe is still not well defined. Animals living in natural environments are usually heavily infested with ticks and therefore represent good candidates for natural reservoirs for many tick-borne microorganisms. While many studies have shown that several animal species have detectable antibodies to A. phagocytophila, few reports have described direct detection and subsequent genotyping of A. phagocytophila in naturally infected wild animal^. ^-^ In the present study, molecular methods were used to detect and characterize infections with A. phagocytophila in different wild animals in two Central European countries, Austria and Czech Republic.