Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment with lamivudine and entecavir in severe acute hepatitis B

Background: Severe acute hepatitis B (SAHB) is an insufficiently described clinical entity, with relatively scarce data on anti-viral therapy available in field literature. Methods: We performed an open-label study to evaluate specific anti-viral therapy in SAHB in Bucharest, Romania, during 2005-2009. Patients were allocated to two treatment groups and one control group: Group 1 - lamivudine 100 mg/day, Group 2 - entecavir 0.5 mg/day and Group 3 - standard of care, without anti-viral therapy. The primary endpoint was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) seroconversion by 24 weeks. Additional analyses included assessment of HBsAg clearance and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) seroconversion. Results: In Group 1, 7/69 patients (10.14%, P = 0.032) reached HBsAg/Ab seroconversion by 24 weeks, compared with 9/21 (42.85%, P = 0.053) in Group 2 and 25/110 (22.72%) in Group 3. HBsAg clearance by 24 weeks: 16/69 patients (23.18%, P = 0.027) in Group 1, 11/21 (52.38%, P = 0.256) in Group 2 and 43/110 (39.09%) in Group 3. HBeAg/Ab seroconversion: 46/61 (75.40%, P = 0.399) in Group 1, 9/19 (47.36%, P = 0.001) in Group 2 and 74/100 (74.00%) in Group 3. Conclusion: Anti-viral therapy can be considered for managing selected cases of SAHB. Biochemical as well as virological parameters need to orient the choice of the anti-viral agent. Lamivudine displayed a greater decrease in viral load compared to controls, but it was associated with lower levels of HBsAg to anti-HBs seroconversion. Patients treated with entecavir showed a better response in terms of HBs seroconversion by 24 weeks.
A 66-kilodalton heat shock protein of Salmonella typhimurium is responsible for binding of the bacterium to intestinal mucus

Salmonella typhimurium infections have increased during the last few years. However, the interplay of virulence factors in S. typhimurium pathogenesis is still poorly understood, particularly with regard to the mechanisms and components of the bacterium which are involved in its interaction with the intestinal mucus. We have observed that S. typhimurium is aggregated by incubation with colonic mucus (guinea pig model). To quantify this phenomenon, an aggregation assay was established. By using this assay, it was found that the aggregation profile of S. typhimurium strains freshly isolated from patients (age 9 and older) with salmonellosis correlated with the severity of the disease. An isolate with high aggregation behavior was chosen for characterization of the bacterial component involved in binding to colonic mucus material. The component of S. typhimurium responsible for aggregation was purified and characterized as a 66-kDa protein which was able to completely inhibit mucus-mediated bacterial aggregation. This protein was recognized by monoclonal antibodies against the 65-kDa heat shock protein (HSP) of Mycobacterium leprae. The 66-kDa protein of S. typhimurium was inducible by incubating the bacteria at 50 degrees C and was secreted into the supernatant, from which it could be isolated in both dimeric and polymeric forms. The monoclonal anti-HSP 65, as well as a polyclonal antibody against the 66-kDa protein of S. typhimurium, caused dose-dependent inhibition of the aggregation of S. typhimurium by crude mucus preparations. This is the first report showing that a bacterial HSP is involved in mucus-mediated interaction of pathogens with the host.
Characteristics of Familial Juvenile Polyps Expressing Cyclooxygenase-2

OBJECTIVES:Familial juvenile polyposis (FJP) is a dominant genetic disorder characterized by colorectal, gastric, and small bowel juvenile polyps, and high risk for gastrointestinal cancer. Patients are treated by repeated endoscopic polypectomies and elective surgery. We determined the characteristics of FJP polyps expressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). METHODS:A total of 115 colorectal and 6 gastric polyps were available from 17 FJP patients. Comparison tissues were 18 sporadic juvenile colorectal polyps, 6 gastric hyperplastic polyps, 9 normal colons, and 3 colorectal cancers (CRCs). Histology sections were classified and stained for COX-2. The polyps' epithelium and stroma and comparison tissues were quantified for COX-2 by: area of staining (0–3) × intensity (0–3). Epithelial and stromal scores (0–9) and total scores (0–18) were evaluated in relationship to patient's age, polyp site, size, dysplasia, and stromal cellularity.RESULTS:Colonic FJP polyps mean total COX-2 score was 10.3 ± 6.0, and that of sporadic juvenile polyps 3.6 ± 2.2 (p < 0.01), and in contrast to the latter, FJP COX-2 scores increased significantly (p < 0.01) with polyp size. Linear regression analysis showed significant associations of COX-2 in FJP polyps with dysplasia (p < 0.01), stromal cellularity (p < 0.01), size (≥1.5 cm) (p= 0.02), and site (right colon) (p= 0.01), and not with age. COX-2 total scores of gastric FJP polyps and hyperplastic polyps were similar.CONCLUSION:Expression of COX-2 in FJP polyps and its association with size and dysplasia suggest that, in these patients, chemoprevention with selective COX-2 inhibitors might be a useful adjunct therapy to colonoscopic polypectomy.
An evaluation of the etiology of reduced CYP1A1 messenger RNA expression in the Atlantic tomcod from the Hudson River, New York, USA, using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis

Adult Atlantic tomcod, Microgadus tomcod, from the Hudson River, New York State, USA, exhibit reduced inducibility of hepatic cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA compared with adult tomcod from the cleaner Miramichi River, New Brunswick, Canada, when treated with coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners or 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin. In contrast, little difference in CYP1A1 inducibility is observed between tomcod from these two rivers when treated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We sought to determine if impaired hepatic CYP1A1 inducibility in Hudson River tomcod results from a multigenerational, genetic adaptation or a single generational, physiological acclimation. Embryos and larvae from controlled experimental crosses of Hudson River and Miramichi River parents were exposed for 24 h to water‐borne PCB congener 77 (10 ppm), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP; 10 ppm), or dimethysulfoxide, and CYP1A1 expression was assessed in individual larva using competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. The CYP1A1 mRNA was significantly induced in larvae from both populations by BaP (47‐ and 52‐fold) and PCB 77 (9‐ and 22‐fold), although levels of expression were higher in offspring of Miramichi matings. Most important, CYP1A1 mRNA was significantly induced by PCB 77 in larvae from Hudson River parents. Concentrations of dioxin, furan, and PCB congeners were measured in livers and eggs of female tomcod from these two locales to quantify the extent of maternal transfer of contaminants. For both rivers, wet‐weight contaminant concentrations were significantly higher (4–7 times) in livers than in eggs of the same females, suggesting that a threshold level of contaminants may have to be reached before CYP1A1 transcription is impaired. We conclude that reduced inducibility of hepatic CYP1A1 mRNA in adult tomcod from the Hudson River is most consistent with single‐generational acclimation.
Efficiency and the quality of management and care: evidence from Japanese public hospitals

ABSTRACT We study how the quality of hospital management and medical care both affect efficiency in Japanese local public hospitals. The efficiency is estimated by a stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and is regressed against the quality scores in hospital accreditation by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care (JCQHC). We find that rule-based hospital management relates to high efficiency, while the suitable management of beds and supplies relates to low efficiency.
THE EFFECT OF CORRUPT BEHAVIOR ON THE FLOW OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT TO INDONESIA

The objective of this paper is to find out whether corrupt behavior can affect the foreign investment flow to Indonesia. Corrupt behavior in Indonesia is proxyed using Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) issued by Transparency International institution. This study was conducted empirically through a single model built using a gravity model with panel data regression. The variables included in the model are capital flows, bilateral factor, economic size of home country, economic size of host country, barrier of investment, and global factors. The bilateral factor is reviewed using the competition of foreign investment flow to China. The investment constraint, in the form of corruption, is reviewed using the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The result of the research shows that foreign investors are very concerned about corruption in Indonesia which is considered as a barrier and obstacle in investment. The high level of corruption has resulted in a decrease in the flow of foreign direct investment into Indonesia. This should be cautioned because corruption in Indonesia has had a negative effect on the investment climate in Indonesia.
Children into DSM don't go: a comparison of classification systems for eating disorders in childhood and early adolescence.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reliability of diagnostic classification systems for eating disorders when applied to children and young adolescents. METHOD Eighty-one patients were randomly selected from a population of 226 children (age 7-16) presenting with eating difficulties to a specialist clinic. Diagnoses were assigned according to three classification systems: the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10), the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), and Great Ormond Street (GOS) criteria. Ratings were performed by two clinicians blind to the diagnosis of the other. RESULTS Interrater reliability values (kappa) for the three systems were 0.357 (ICD 10), 0.636 (DSM-IV), and 0.879 (GOS). Using DSM criteria, more than 50% of children were classified as eating disorder not otherwise classified (EDNOS) or could not be classified. DISCUSSION DSM-IV and ICD 10 criteria are of little value in the classification of the eating difficulties of children. The GOS criteria, which were developed for this age range, are more reliable. The classification of eating disorders in childhood needs reevaluation.
In vitro efficacy of latex and purified papain from Carica papaya against Strongyloides venezuelensis eggs and larvae

ABSTRACT Latex from Carica papaya is rich in bioactive compounds, especially papain, which may help to control parasitic diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of latex from C. papaya and purified papain against Strongyloides venezuelensis. The Egg Hatching Test (EHT) and the Larval Motility Test (LMT) using fresh and frozen latex (250mg/mL), lyophilized latex (34mg/mL), and purified papain (2.8 mg/mL) were performed. Albendazole (0.025 mg/mL) and ivermectin (316 ppm) were used as positive controls. EHT and LMT were carried out through the incubation of each solution with S. venezuelensis eggs or larvae (± 100 specimens), and results were analyzed after 48h (EHT) or 24, 48, and 72h (LMT). EHT showed that latex preparations at higher concentrations (1:10 to 1:100) resulted in partial or complete destruction of eggs and larvae inside the eggs. The result from the 1:1,000 dilution was similar to the positive control. LMT showed effectiveness in all the tested dilutions compared to negative controls. Purified papain showed a dose-dependent response in the EHT. Purified papain (2.8 mg/ mL) showed similar results to lyophilized latex at 1:1,000 in the EHT. Latex and purified papain from C. papaya were effective against S. venezuelensis eggs and larvae in vitro, suggesting their potential use as an alternative treatment for strongyloidiasis.
Regime type versus patronal politics: a comparison of “ardent democrats” in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

ABSTRACT Kazakhstan is home to the longest serving ruler in post-Soviet Eurasia while Kyrgyzstan is among the region’s most competitive polities. Do these regime differences correspond to divergence in political attitudes, as an extensive body of literature posits? Are Kyrgyzstanis more likely to strongly support democratic ideals? Are Kazakhstanis less likely? Contrary to expectations, data reveal the two populations to be attitudinally indistinguishable when it comes to strong support for practices associated with democracy. Whatever country differences we find are minor or statistically insignificant. We explain this convergence by shifting focus away from the political features that distinguish the two nascent democracy versus consolidated authoritarianism to those that they hold in common. Notwithstanding major constitutional reform in Kyrgyzstan in 2010, politics there, as in Kazakhstan, remains fundamentally patronal, or patronage- based. Mass attitudes, we argue, align in many ways with the countries’ shared patronal politics, rather than with their contrasting regime types.
The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law

Preface Prologue 1. Tales of Terrorism and Torture 2. Tock-Tick: The Working of a Judicial Mind 3. A Man Called Henri: Truth, Reconciliation, and Justice 4. Reason and Passion 5. Laughing Matters 6. Reason and Judgment 7. The Judge Who Cried: The Judicial Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights 8. Human Dignity and Proportionality 9. The Secular and the Sacred: The Dual Challenges of Same-sex Marriage 10. The Beginning and the End Epilogue and Thanks
Mutations in the 5′ Nontranslated Region of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Result in Altered Growth Characteristics

ABSTRACT The 5′ nontranslated region (NTR) of pestiviruses functions as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that mediates cap-independent translation of the viral polyprotein and probably contains additionalcis-acting RNA signals involved in crucial processes of the viral life cycle. Computer modeling suggests that the 5′-terminal 75 nucleotides preceding the IRES element form two stable hairpins, Ia and Ib. Spontaneous and engineered mutations located in the genomic region comprising Ia and Ib were characterized by using infectious cDNA clones of bovine viral diarrhea virus. Spontaneous 5′ NTR mutations carrying between 9 and 26 A residues within the loop region of Ib had no detectable influence on specific infectivity and virus growth properties. After tissue culture passages, multiple insertions and deletions of A residues occurred rapidly. In contrast, an engineered mutant carrying 5 A residues within the Ib loop was genetically stable during 10 tissue culture passages. This virus was used as starting material to generate a number of additional mutants. The analyses show that (i) deletion of the entire Ib loop region resulted in almost complete loss of infectivity that was rapidly restored during passages in cell culture by insertions of variable numbers of A residues; (ii) mutations within the 5′-terminal 4 nucleotides of the genomic RNA severely impaired virus replication; passaging of the supernatants obtained after transfection resulted in the emergence of efficiently replicating mutants that had regained the conserved 5′-terminal sequence; (iii) provided the conserved sequence motif 5′-GUAU was retained at the 5′ end of the genomic RNA, substitutions and deletions of various parts of hairpin Ia or deletion of all of Ia and part of Ib were found to support replication, but to a lower degree than the parent virus. Restriction of specific infectivity and virus growth of the 5′ NTR mutants correlated with reduced amounts of accumulated viral RNAs.
Bioconversion of Methanol to Formaldehyde: 1 by Free Whole Cell and Immobilized Whole Cell of Yeast Hansenula polymorpha

Modified methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha (HP A16) was used in this study, which was obtained with recrossing a leucine oxotrophic yeast and a wild type Hansenula polymorpha CB4732 and was discovered by Ogata et al. [1]. The yeast is grown with methanol as a sole carbon source in which methanol oxidase (MOX) is a key enzyme of methanol metabolism. Because of its stability and low substrate specificity, alcohol oxidase is of considerable interest for a range of biotechnological processes. Various methanol feeding regimes were evaluated in an effort to increase the biomass concentration and productivity that could be achieved from fermentations using the other Hansenula polymorpha species. This yeast was grown by batch fermentation. The effects of conditions of inoculation media for increasing amount of MOX enzyme in peroksizomes of yeast with MOX activity were observed. The highest MOX activity of yeast was found within optic density of grown media of OD600 1.5, at 0.35 µM of methanol as used an oxotrophic substrate, at 35°C temperature, at pH 7.0 of 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (KPB), at 40 µL of buffered yeast cell volume and at the incubation time of 50 minutes. Whole yeast cells were cultivated at above optimized incubation conditions. The cells were immobilized within the polyacyrlamide gels by entrapment method. Free whole cells and immobilized whole cells were compared using bioconversion percentages of methanol to formaldehyde.
Test-retest reliability of a new executive function battery for use in early childhood

This study reported test-retest reliability for a newly developed executive function battery designed for use in early childhood. A total of 140 predominantly low-income children (M = 48.1 months; 51% male; 43% African American) completed up to six tasks on two occasions an average of 18 (Mdn = 16) days apart. Pearson correlations between individual task scores indicated moderate retest reliability (mean r = .60; range = .52−.66) similar to that observed in other retest studies of executive function in preschool, school-aged, and adult samples. In contrast, confirmatory factor analyses of performance on the task battery across time indicated high retest reliability (ϕ = .95) that was identical to that observed in a recent study that used an identical method involving a sample of older adults. The short-term test-retest reliability of executive function in early childhood is comparable to that observed in childhood and adult samples. The retest reliability of children's performance on batteries of executive function tasks is appreciably stronger than the retest reliability of their performance on individual tasks. Studies that focus on inter- and intraindividual differences in executive function would be better served by using scores that are derived from task batteries than those derived from individual tasks.
Combined preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Interim analysis of a phase II trial.

PURPOSE The prognosis of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) remains poor when treated with local modalities. An intensive preoperative program with chemoradiotherapy was used to evaluate the curative resection rate, pathologic response, and survival of patients with LAEC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety patients with LAEC were treated preoperatively with chemotherapy (three courses of fluorouracil, leucovorin, etoposide, and cisplatin [FLEP]) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (one course of cisplatin plus etoposide in combination with 40 Gy of radiation). Transthoracic esophagectomy was performed 4 weeks after the end of radiation. RESULTS Seventy-two patients were included in this evaluation. Forty-four (61%) underwent a complete tumor resection, and 16 (22%) had no tumor in the resected specimen (pathologic complete response [PCR]). The operative mortality rate was 15%. At a median follow-up time of 22 months (range, 12 to 41), the median survival duration of all 72 patients was 17 months (range, 1 to 41+). The calculated survival rates at 3 years were 33%, 42%, and 68% for all patients, patients after complete resection, and patients with PCR, respectively. CONCLUSION This combined treatment modality is active in LAEC, with a PCR in 33% of the patients undergoing surgery. The results appear improved compared with those reported with surgery alone, by approximately doubling the 3-year survival rate. The high efficacy of preoperative chemoradiation warrants evaluation of the role of surgery in LAEC.
Immunolocalization, gene expression, and enzymatic activity of cyclooxygenases, prostaglandin e2‐9‐ketoreductase, and nitric oxide synthases in mediterranean buffalo (bubalus bubalis) corpora lutea during diestrus

Immunopresence, gene expression, and enzymatic activity of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1), COX2, PGE2‐9‐ketoreductase (PGE2‐9‐K), endothelial (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and hormone in vitro production were examined in early, mid, late, and regressive buffalo corpora lutea (CL). COX1 immunosignals were detected in the cytoplasm of small luteal cells, COX2 in large luteal cells, and PGE2‐9‐K in all luteal cells. COX2 and PGE2‐9‐K immunosignals were greater in late CL. Immunopresence of both NOS types were evidenced in the nuclei and cytoplasm of all luteal cells, as well as in the nuclei of endothelial cells, during all stages studied. The eNOS and iNOS immunosignals increased during the early stage. COX1 transcripts were lower in late and regressive CL, COX2 in late, PGE2‐9‐K higher in regressive, and iNOS higher in early and lower in regressive CL. COX1 enzymatic activity was lower in regressive CL, COX2 increased in mid and late stages, and PGE2‐9‐K was higher in late CL. Endothelial NOS activity was higher during mid and late stages and lower in regressive, whereas iNOS was greater in late and lower in early. Progesterone in vitro release was higher in mid and lower in late phase, while PGF2α synthesis was higher in late CL and lower in regressive, and PGE2 was higher during regressive stage. These results support the idea that COX, NOS, and PGE2‐9‐K regulate buffalo CL life span. In particular, regressive CL seems involved in the development of the contralateral early CL, through the production of the luteotrophic PGE2. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repeated social defeat induces transient glial activation and brain hypometabolism: A positron emission tomography imaging study

Psychosocial stress is a risk factor for the development of depression. Recent evidence suggests that glial activation could contribute to the development of depressive-like behaviour. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo whether repeated social defeat (RSD) induces short- and long-term inflammatory and metabolic alterations in the brain through positron emission tomography (PET). Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were exposed to RSD by dominant Long-Evans rats on five consecutive days. Behavioural and biochemical alterations were assessed at baseline, day 5/6 and day 24/25 after the RSD protocol. Glial activation (11C-PK11195 PET) and changes in brain metabolism (18F-FDG PET) were evaluated on day 6, 11 and 25 (short-term), and at 3 and 6 months (long-term). Defeated rats showed transient depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour, increased corticosterone and brain IL-1β levels, as well as glial activation and brain hypometabolism in the first month after RSD. During the third- and six-month follow-up, no between-group differences in any investigated parameter were found. Therefore, non-invasive PET imaging demonstrated that RSD induces transient glial activation and reduces brain glucose metabolism in rats. These imaging findings were associated with stress-induced behavioural changes and support the hypothesis that neuroinflammation could be a contributing factor in the development of depression.