Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
College Health Service Capacity to Support Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Twenty percent of US youth have a chronic medical condition and many attend college. Guidelines for transition from pediatric to adult care do not address college health services, and little is known about their capacity to identify, support, and provide care for these youth. The objective of this study was to describe college health center policies, practices, and resources for youth with chronic medical conditions (YCMC). METHODS: Survey of medical directors from health centers of a representative sample of 200 4-year US colleges with ≥400 enrolled undergraduate students. Patterns of identification, management, and support for youth with a general chronic medical condition and with asthma, diabetes, and depression, were investigated; χ2 and Fisher exact tests were used to ascertain differences by institutional demographics. RESULTS: Directors at 153 institutions completed the survey (76.5% response rate). Overall, 42% of schools had no system to identify YCMC. However, almost a third (31%) did identify and add to a registry of incoming YCMC on review of medical history, more likely in private (P < .001) and small (<5000 students, P = .002) colleges; 24% of health centers contacted YCMC to check-in/make initial appointments. Most institutions could manage asthma and depression (83% and 69%, respectively); 51% could manage diabetes on campus. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively few US colleges have health systems to identify and contact YCMC, although many centers have capacity to provide primary care and management of some conditions. Guidelines for transition should address policy and practices for pediatricians and colleges to enhance comanagement of affected youth.
Youth health research ethics: time for a mature‐minor clause?

Research into adolescent health issues is hampered by absolute requirements for parental consent. Society's recognition of adolescents’ autonomy and decision‐making capacity has been embodied in the legal recognition of the mature minor's right to make decisions on matters affecting his or her life. Psychological research indicates that young people from 14 years have decision‐making capacity. US and UK research ethics guidelines acknowledge the mature‐minor principle, but Australian guidelines are out of step with international practice. An absolute requirement for parental consent in Australian research ethics guidelines is potentially unethical if it denies mature adolescents’ autonomy and is a barrier to participation, study validity and improved health outcomes through research findings. There are grounds for considering a mature‐minor clause in the National Health and Medical Research Council research ethics guidelines, particularly in the context of youth participation in minimal‐risk research.
The Determinants of Cigarette Consumption: A Meta-Analysis

This study summarizes econometric findings from time-series research on the relationships between cigarette consumption and advertising, price, and income using a meta-analysis methodology. The study also investigates the trends in these relationships over time, controlling for possible confounding effects of design variables in the studies analyzed. The results show that the advertising and income elasticities are positive and significant on average across studies, and the average price elasticity is significantly negative. The elasticities vary across countries and design factors and have become smaller over time. Implications for public policy and future research are discussed.
Novel Egr/NF‐AT composite sites mediate activation of the CD95 (APO‐1/Fas) ligand promoter in response to T cell stimulation

Expression of the CD95 (APO‐1/Fas) ligand (CD95L) in activated T cells is a major cause of activation‐induced T cell apoptosis. The transcription factors NF‐AT and Egr‐3 (a member of the immediate‐early transcription factors involved in cellular growth and differentiation) have been implicated in activation of the CD95L promoter upon T cell activation. On the basis of DNase I footprinting, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, antibody supershift analysis and transfection studies, we have identified two novel Egr‐binding sites 5′ upstream of the previously identified Egr site. Mutation analysis of each Egr site shows that all three sites are important for full CD95L promoter activity. Strikingly, all Egr sites, including the previously identified Egr site, are adjacent to or overlap with DNA sequences homologous to NF‐AT binding sites and confer T cell activation‐induced, cyclosporin A‐sensitive transcriptional activity. Antibody supershift analysis revealed that NF‐AT and Egr proteins are the components of inducible DNA‐binding complexes formed on the two novel Egr sites. Cotransfection experiments showed that Egr‐1, Egr‐3 and NF‐AT display a cooperative and synergistic activation of transcription mediated by these three Egr/NF‐AT composite regulatory elements. These findings provide further insight into the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the CD95L expression in response to T cell activation.
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) and Parkinson's disease - opportunities for novel therapeutics to reduce the problems of levodopa therapy.

While Parkinson's disease is undoubtedly a disorder with a primary pathology of dopamine neuronal loss, that loss of dopamine and subsequent dopamine replacement therapy leads to imbalances in many non-dopaminergic transmitter systems, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Recent advances in understanding the role of 5-HT in parkinsonism and the generation of side-effects of dopamine replacement therapy (e.g. wearing-off and levodopa-induced dyskinesia) have identified 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT2C receptors as potential therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease.
Hypokalaemic paralysis as the presenting manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

A 27-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a 3-day history of progressive weakness. For the previous 2 weeks the patient had complained of nausea and reported episodes of vomiting with decrease in food and water intake. The patient denied use of drugs affecting acid-base and electrolyte parameters like herbal medicines. On examination flaccid paralysis of the four limbs was found. Blood pressure was 130/70 mmHg, heart rate 94/min, temperature 36.9°C, and respirations 16/min. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory investigation at the time of admission is shown in Table 1. The patient recovered gradually within 2 days with potassium replacement. According to the laboratory findings the diagnosis of hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis with a normal serum anion gap was evident. Moreover, severe hypokalaemia with kaliuresis (urine potassium 26 mmol/1, FEK+ 8%, TTKG 12), increased urine pH and hypovolaemia (increased ratio of urea/creatinine and low urine sodium) were also present. Urine anion gap was positive (12 mmol/1) despite the high urine Cl" concentration. Correction of the hypovolaemia and Table 1. Laboratory parameters of the patient
Insurance and the Law

This very short paper, which was prepared as a proposed encyclopedia entry, argues that insurance may be uniquely tied up with the law. Social insurance and other public sector insurance arrangements are creatures of statute, governed through administrative law. Private sector insurance arrangements depend upon a well-functioning contract law and a regulated market. Insurance thoroughly dominates the field of tort law, especially with respect to the liabilities of individuals and small business. Moreover, because insurance institutions inevitably exert a regulatory force over their subjects, insurance must be understood as a complement to direct state regulation. Finally, some social theorists have argued that insurance has exerted a profound ideological force on law and regulation, as activities increasingly are governed through risk.
Anti‐IL‐6 neutralizing antibody modulates blood‐brain barrier function in the ovine fetus

Impaired blood‐brain barrier function represents an important component of hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury in the perinatal period. Proinflammatory cytokines could contribute to ischemia‐related blood‐brain barrier dysfunction. IL‐6 increases vascular endothelial cell monolayer permeability in vitro. However, contributions of IL‐6 to blood‐brain barrier abnormalities have not been examined in the immature brain in vivo. We generated pharmacologic quantities of ovine‐specific neutralizing anti‐IL‐6 mAbs and systemically infused mAbs into fetal sheep at 126 days of gestation after exposure to brain ischemia. Anti‐IL‐6 mAbs were measured by ELISA in fetal plasma, cerebral cortex, and cerebrospinal fluid, blood‐brain barrier permeability was quantified using the blood‐to‐brain transfer constant in brain regions, and IL‐6, tight junction proteins, and plasmalemma vesicle protein (PLVAP) were detected by Western immunoblot. Anti‐IL‐6 mAb infusions resulted in increases in mAb (P < 0.05) in plasma, brain parenchyma, and cerebrospinal fluid and decreases in brain IL‐6 protein. Twenty‐four hours after ischemia, anti‐IL‐6 mAb infusions attenuated ischemia‐related increases in blood‐brain barrier permeability and modulated tight junction and PLVAP protein expression in fetal brain. We conclude that inhibiting the effects of IL‐6 protein with systemic infusions of neutralizing antibodies attenuates ischemia‐related increases in blood‐brain barrier permeability by inhibiting IL‐6 and modulates tight junction proteins after ischemia. —Zhang, J., Sadowska, G. B. , Chen, X. , Park, S. Y. , Kim, J.‐E. , Bodge, C. A. , Cummings, E. , Lim, Y. ‐P., Makeyev, O. , Besio, W. G. , Gaitanis, J., Banks, W. A. , Stonestreet, B. S. Anti‐IL‐6 neutralizing antibody modulates blood‐brain barrier function in the ovine fetus. FASEB J. 29, 1739‐1753 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Prediction of perceptible artifacts in JPEG 2000-compressed chest CT images using mathematical and perceptual quality metrics.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to determine whether peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and a perceptual quality metric (High-Dynamic Range Visual Difference Predictor [HDR-VDP]) can predict the presence of perceptible artifacts in Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) 2000-compressed chest CT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred chest CT images were compressed to 5:1, 8:1, 10:1, and 15:1. Five radiologists determined if the original and compressed images were identical (negative response) or different (positive response). The correlation between the results for each metric and the number of readers with positive responses was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation test. Using the pooled readers' responses as the reference standard, we performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine the cutoff values balancing sensitivity and specificity and yielding 100% sensitivity in each metric. These cutoff values were then used to estimate the visually lossless thresholds for the compressions for the 100 original images, and the accuracy of the estimates of two metrics was compared (McNemar test). RESULTS The correlation coefficients were -0.918 and 0.925 for PSNR and the HDR-VDP, respectively. The areas under the ROC curves for the two metrics were 0.983 and 0.984, respectively (p = 0.11). The PSNR and HDR-VDP accurately predicted the visually lossless threshold for 69% and 72% of the 100 images (p = 0.68), respectively, at the cutoff values balancing sensitivity and specificity and for 43% and 47% (p = 0.22), respectively, at the cutoff values reaching 100% sensitivity. CONCLUSION Both metrics are promising in predicting the perceptible compression artifacts and therefore can potentially be used to estimate the visually lossless threshold.
A T‐Cell Functional Phenotype Common among Autoimmune‐Prone Rodent Strains

The genetic basis and familial clustering of autoimmunity suggest that common phenotypic traits predispose individuals to disease. We found a hyporesponsive T‐cell phenotype that was shared by all autoimmune‐prone mouse and rat strains tested, including MRL, nonobese diabetic (NOD), NZB, NZW, NZB/W F1, SJL and SWR mice, as well as DA and BB rats, but was not evident in nonautoimmune‐prone rodents. This T‐cell intrinsic, age‐independent hyporesponsiveness is measured as an increased activation threshold for upregulation of activation markers upon T‐cell receptor (TCR) cross‐linking both in vitro and in vivo. Inefficient deletion of CD4 and CD8 single‐positive, heat stable antigen (HSA)hi medullary thymocytes was also observed in hyporesponsive donors. We interpret these data to suggest that increased TCR‐mediated signalling thresholds in autoimmune‐prone individuals may contribute to the escape of autoreactive thymocytes from negative selection.
Prostate-specific antigen and prostate gland size in men receiving exogenous testosterone for male contraception.

Steroid regimens containing androgens are being evaluated currently as hormonal contraceptives for men. The possible non-reproductive effects of such treatment were assessed during an efficacy trial using a prototype regime of 200 mg testosterone enanthate i.m. weekly. Prostatic function and size were monitored by regular rectal examination, blood levels of prostate-specific androgen (PSA) were measured in 30 men and prostatic size was measured by trans-rectal ultrasound imaging in a representative subgroup of five subjects for 12 months and for a further 6 months after discontinuation. Despite the sustained rise in serum levels of testosterone, oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone during treatment, there was no detectable increase in prostatic size on rectal examination or any significant change in blood concentrations of PSA. A small but significant increase (14.3 +/- 2.0%) in maximal prostate transverse area was observed in four men while the remaining one showed no change. Our preliminary data demonstrate the feasibility and importance of monitoring prostatic function in the development of androgen-containing male hormonal contraceptives.
Human Capital and SMEs Internationalization: Development and Validation of a Measurement Scale

The purpose of this study is to develop a measurement scale for human capital in context of SMEs internationalization. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied on primary data collected from Indian SMEs. This developed scale was tested for reliability and validity. We found that ‘education’, ‘knowledge’, ‘experience’ and ‘skills’ are the main dimensions of human capital in SMEs, and were found reliable and valid to measure this construct. This study has combined the dimensions previously used separately in other studies. Results supported the past studies which concluded that human capital is a multidimensional construct. This study has extended multidimensionality of human capital in context of SMEs specifically in their internationalization. The study will imply to practitioners in assessment of human capital in SMEs, related to the dimensions constituting it. Objectives of policies and programmes to further enhance and develop human capital can be set accordingly. In addition, international entrepreneurship researchers can use this measurement scale to further study and investigate human capital and its components in SMEs. This study provides a ground for further adding more dimensions and variables to human capital.
Proteasome activity is required for T lymphocyte aggregation after mitogen activation

The proteasome is a multicatalytic complex of proteases involved in T lymphocyte proliferation and activation through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we investigated its role in lymphocyte aggregation. We found that blocking proteasome activity by a proteasome‐specific inhibitor lactacystin (LAC) prevented clustering of T lymphocytes after stimulation with various mitogens. Expression of adhesion molecules ICAM‐1 and LFA‐1 at cell surfaces of activated T cells was decreased after treatment with LAC. Mechanisms by which the proteasome intervenes in the expression of these adhesion molecules were different. LAC inhibited ICAM‐1 expression at the mRNA level, whereas LFA‐1 inhibition was probably at a post‐translational level. Downregulation of these molecules after proteasome inhibition likely contributes to the observed repression of T cell aggregation. Our results show that the proteasome plays an important role in cell–cell interaction during T cell activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 81:347–356, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urban Transport and Crime: Evidence from Unanticipated Mass Transit Strikes

We examine the effects of mass transit strikes on criminal behavior in Los Angeles County utilizing a unique dataset of reported crimes between 2000 and 2007. Geocoded location and time information pertaining to each offense accommodates a fine grained difference&#8208;in&#8208;differences panel data analysis. We find that in locations affected by the strike, aggravated assaults rose by 18.7% while aggregate property crimes increased by 5.7%, relative to their mean. This increase in crime was disproportionately larger in lower income neighborhoods, which report higher usage of mass transit, suggesting local isolation of both criminals and victims as a mechanism.
Oxidative stress after human exercise: effect of N-acetylcysteine supplementation.

The association between exercise intensity and related oxidative stress was investigated in nine men who exercised for 30 min at their aerobic (AeT) and anaerobic (AnaeT) thresholds. We also tested the effect of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on exercise-associated rapid blood glutathione (GSH) oxidation in subjects performing two identical maximal bicycle ergometer exercise (Max) tests. Before the second test (Max with NAC supplementation [Max(NAC)]), the men took 200 x 4 mg/day of NAC tablets for 2 days and an additional 800 mg on the test morning. Blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, and 24 h after the tests. Total and oxidized GSH levels in blood were determined. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and net peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) were assayed. Exercise-associated damage in leukocyte DNA was estimated by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding. A single bout of exercise at Max, AeT, and AnaeT resulted in a significant increase in blood GSH oxidation but did not influence net PSC of plasma. Although an association between a single bout of exercise and leukocyte DNA damage was apparent, this study suggests that the parameter may not serve as a sensitive index to assess the role of exercise intensity in the extent of exercise-associated oxidative stress. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances did not change after either Max or Max(NAC) tests. NAC supplementation resulted in an increase in preexercise PSC, indicating a higher net antioxidant capacity of the plasma, but did not affect blood GSH. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The contrast sensitivity of human colour vision to red‐green and blue‐yellow chromatic gratings.

A method of producing red‐green and blue‐yellow sinusoidal chromatic gratings is used which permits the correction of all chromatic aberrations. A quantitative criterion is adopted to choose the intensity match of the two colours in the stimulus: this is the intensity ratio at which contrast sensitivity for the chromatic grating differs most from the contrast sensitivity for a monochromatic luminance grating. Results show that this intensity match varies with spatial frequency and does not necessarily correspond to a luminance match between the colours. Contrast sensitivities to the chromatic gratings at the criterion intensity match are measured as a function of spatial frequency, using field sizes ranging from 2 to 23 deg. Both blue‐yellow and red‐green contrast sensitivity functions have similar low‐pass characteristics, with no low‐frequency attenuation even at low frequencies below 0.1 cycles/deg. These functions indicate that the limiting acuities based on red‐green and blue‐yellow colour discriminations are similar at 11 or 12 cycles/deg. Comparisons between contrast sensitivity functions for the chromatic and monochromatic gratings are made at the same mean luminances. Results show that, at low spatial frequencies below 0.5 cycles/deg, contrast sensitivity is greater to the chromatic gratings, consisting of two monochromatic gratings added in antiphase, than to either monochromatic grating alone. Above 0.5 cycles/deg, contrast sensitivity is greater to monochromatic than to chromatic gratings.
Toward reducing shunt placement rates in patients with myelomeningocele.

OBJECT The prevalence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in patients with myelomeningocele has been reported to be in the region of 85%, and shunt-related complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Since 1997 the authors have adopted a stringent policy with respect to shunt placement in patients with myelomeningocele, reserving this treatment for those with symptomatic hydrocephalus, severe ventricular dilation at the time of presentation, and/or unequivocal progressive ventriculomegaly after primary closure. They report their experience. METHODS The authors reviewed all cases of myelomeningocele involving patients who presented to their institution over a 10-year period. They excluded cases in which the primary closure was carried out at another institution or in which there was not at least 12 months of clinical and imaging follow-up. Data regarding shunt insertion shunt-related complications, and clinical outcome were obtained from a review of the clinical records and analyzed. RESULTS Fifty-four cases satisfied the inclusion criteria for this study. Shunt insertion was performed in 28 of these cases (51.9%). CONCLUSIONS Applying more stringent guidelines for shunt placement, permitting moderate ventricular dilation, and accepting some mild increase in ventricular size after myelomeningocele closure has resulted in a reduced rate of shunt placement compared with previous series. The rate is comparable to that reported following in utero closure of myelomeningocele.