Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Itraconazole Preexposure Attenuates the Efficacy of Subsequent Amphotericin B Therapy in a Murine Model of Acute Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT Antagonism has been described in vitro and in vivo for azole-polyene combinations against Aspergillus species. Using an established murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, we evaluated the efficacy of several amphotericin B (AMB) dosages given alone or following preexposure to itraconazole (ITC). Mice were immunosuppressed with cortisone acetate and cyclophosphamide. During immunosuppression, animals were administered either ITC solution (50 mg/kg of body weight) or saline by oral gavage twice daily for 3 days prior to infection. Infection was induced by intranasally inoculating mice with a standardized conidial suspension (1 × 108 CFU/ml) of Aspergillus fumigatus strain AF 293. AMB was then administered by daily intraperitoneal injections (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg) starting 24 h after inoculation and continuing for a total of 72 h. Drug pharmacokinetics of AMB and ITC in plasma were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Four different endpoints were used to examine the efficacy of antifungal therapy: (i) viable counts from harvested lung tissue (in CFU per milliliter), (ii) the whole-lung chitin assay, (iii) mortality at 96 h, and (iv) histopathology of representative lung sections. At AMB doses of >0.5 mg/kg/day, fewer ITC-preexposed mice versus non-ITC-preexposed mice were alive at 96 h (0 to 20 versus 60%, respectively). At all time points, the fungal lung burden was consistently and significantly higher in animals preexposed to ITC, as measured by the CFU counts (P = 0.001) and the chitin assay (P = 0.03). Higher doses of AMB did not overcome this antagonism. ITC preexposure was associated with poorer mycological efficacy and survival in mice treated subsequently with AMB for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Cytological differentiation in the uropygial gland

Ultrastructural changes were studied in the cells undergoing secretory differentiation in zone I of the tubules of the uropygial gland of White Plymouth Rock chickens. A layer of basal cells and four secretory stages are recognized as the cells migrate from the periphery to the lumen of tubules and progressively elaborate a secretion product.
Comparison of side effect of survanta and curosurf in decreasing mortality due to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants admitted in NICU of Ghaem Hospital On 2006-2008

Background: Using of natural and synthetic surfactant is a rescue treatment for respiratory distress syndrome. In Iran, Survanta and Curosurf are the most frequent used natural surfactant preparations. We compared the clinical response and safety of two surfactants poractant alpha (Curosurf) and beractant (Survanta) for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Method:This study was a clinical trial study that performed during a 2-year period in Ghaem Center's neonatal care unit.Sample size was calculated with 95% confidence and power 80. 104 premature infants were treated with surfactant, 74 in survanta group and 30 in Curosurf group,. The differences between the two groups were assessed by ANOVA or the calculation of relative risks. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between infants treated with S and C in mean gestational age (30.58 vs. 29.00 weeks) and birth weight (1388 vs.1330 g). Also there was no significant difference between groups, incidence at 28th day of Bronchopulmunary dysplasia (%40.5 vs. %40), Intra ventricular hemorrhage III/IV (%13/5 vs. % 13/3), pneumothorax (%20 vs. % 20), Patent ductus arteriosis (%28/3 vs. % 20), and death (%28 vs. % 26/6). Conclusion:This study concluded that Survanta and Curosurf are similar in treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
Aerosolized metaproterenol compared to subcutaneous epinephrine in the emergency treatment of acute childhood asthma

In a double‐blind, randomized trial, we compared the effects of aerosolized metaproterenol to subcutaneous epinephrine in 35 episodes of acute asthma in children between 6 and 19 years of age. Patients were randomized to two parallel groups and then received both a placebo medication and an active medication to a maximum of three treatments. Repeated treatments were given to 15 patients on metaproterenol and 12 patients on epinephrine. Initial improvement in PEFR and FEV, were statistically significant and comparable in both groups. Patients receiving a second metaproterenol treatment had more improvement in respiratory rate and clinical score compared with those in the epinephrine group. There were fewer treatment failures in the metaproterenol group. Follow‐up at 24 to 48 hours showed significant treatment failure differences between the two groups (metaproterenol = 0, epinephrine = 5; p < 0.05). Side effects were similar in both groups; in all instances they were mild, and their frequency did not increase in patients receiving repeated doses of medications. In conclusion, aerosolized metaproterenol was well tolerated in acute childhood asthma in repeated doses, and it appeared to be associated with prolonged bronchodilation and improved outcome.
A novel animal model of acute cochlear mitochondrial dysfunction

Acute mitochondrial dysfunction in the cochlea is likely to result in hearing loss as a consequence of local energy shortage, similar to ischemia- or noise-induced hearing loss. To establish an animal model of acute cochlear mitochondrial dysfunction, we applied a mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) in the rat cochlea. Rats treated with 500 mM 3-NP exhibited permanent threshold shifts in acoustic brainstem response while the same volume of 300 mM 3-NP caused temporary threshold shifts. Histological examination in the permanent threshold shift model revealed severe degeneration of fibrocytes within spiral ligament and spiral limbus, indicating these cells are vulnerable to acute mitochondrial dysfunction. This model represents a novel tool for investigating the pathophysiology of acute cochlear mitochondrial dysfunction.
A BIOMECHANICAL COMPARISON OF ELITE AND GOOD DISTANCE RUNNERS

This paper reports the results of the biomechanical phase of a multidisciplinary study of elite distance runners. ’ There are some intriguing differences between this aspect of the study and several of the physiological and medical aspects. A variable such as muscle fiber composition or maximal oxygen uptake gives us information that overwhelmingly reflects the genotype of the individual.2 The biomechanical measurements, however, are essentially quantitative expressions of running style and this factor is basically a learned response to a given set of anthropometric and physiological constraints. It is important to mention at the outset that the term “skilled runner,” which is often found in the literature, is generally used to classify athletes on the basis of average running velocity over a certain distance. It is by no means axiomatic that athletes classified as skilled according to the criterion of running velocity exhibit the best form or style. Indeed the criteria for good style that are applied by coaches still rest on somewhat of an empirical base, since sport scientists have not yet produced an adequate theoretical model to allow the effects of parameter variation to be studied. The major objective of the present study is to make a comparison between groups of elite and good distance runners on variables such as stride length and rate, lower limb kinematics, swing phase kinetics, and center of gravity motion. The sample sizes are large enough to apply statistical methods to determine if significant differences exist. The two groups were significantly different ( p < 0.02) in oxygen uptake during a standardized submaximal treadmill run at 4.47 m/sec ( l o mph). (The means for the good and elite groups were 55.6 and 52.6 ml.kg-l.min-l, respectively.) This raises the possibility that these differences may be due in part to biomechanical differences between the good and elite athletes.
Occurrence of Candiduria in Paediatric Patients and its Antifungal Susceptibility in a Tertiary Care Centre

Children with urinary tract infection present with vague clinical features and candiduria in such patients signifies pyelonephritis/cystitis, disseminated candidiasis, contamination or colonisation. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of candiduria in paediatric patients, their speciation, associated risk factors and antifungal susceptibility of these isolates which will help the clinicians in the better management of candiduria. In our study, the isolation rate for candiduria was 24.3%, more common in males (63%) compared to females (37%) and infants were most commonly involved. Colony count of ≥105 cfu/ml seen in 53% of the isolates and pus cells were seen in 84% cases. Among candiduria cases, 87% received broad spectrum antibiotics for more than 7 days, while 57% were catheterized, and 19% of the patients were on fluconazole therapy. In the present study, non-albicans candida species emerged as the predominant pathogen and was found in 57% cases while Candida albicans was found in 43% cases of candiduria. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that all the isolates were sensitive to voriconazole and ketoconazole while 95% of the isolates were sensitive to fluconazole and 92% were sensitive to itraconazole. Resistance to fluconazole was found in 5% of isolates while 8% isolates were resistant to itraconazole. Identification of candida species along with antifungal susceptibility is important in patients with UTI and will help the clinician in selecting the appropriate antifungal agent for better management of such cases.
Replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from entry to exit

It has been 25 years since the recognition of the disease acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in homosexual men in the United States. Much molecular progress in understanding the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been advanced. Here, we review in a nonexhaustive manner our current knowledge of the replication of HIV-1 inside human cells from entry to exit of the virus.
Positron emission tomographic image measurement in schizophrenia and affective disorders

Two analytical methods for assesing regional glucography with positron emission tomography were compared in 16 patients with schizophrenia and 11 patients with affective disorders. Patients were off all medication a minimum of 14 days and an average of 39.8 days. The subjects were administered fluorine‐18‐labeled 2‐deoxyglucose just before receiving a 34‐minute one‐per‐second series of unpleasant electrical stimuli to their right forearm while resting with their eyes closed in a darkened, acoustically attenuated psychophysiological testing chamber. Following monitored stimulation in the controlled environment, the subjects were scanned and the images were converted to values of glucose use in micromoles per 100 grams per minute, according to Sokoloff's model. Data were analyzed by a four‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for independent groups (normal subjects, schizophrenic patients, and patients with affective disorders) and for repeated measures of slice level (supraventricular, midventricular, and infraventricular), hemisphere (right, left), and anteroposterior position (four sectors). Normal individuals and patient groups both showed a significant anteroposterior gradient in glucose use, with the highest values in the sector farthest to the front. Patients with schizophrenia and those with affective illnesses showed showed less of an anteroposterior gradient than normal individuals, especially at superior levels, which was statistically confirmed by ANOVA. Neither the group differences in whole‐brain glucose use nor the left‐right asymmetries reached statistical significance. A second technique, involving reconstruction of the lateral cortical surface, also revealed differences between schizophrenics and normal individuals in the superior frontal cortex. These results are consistent with our earlier reports of a relative hypofrontal function in schizophrenia compared with controls; they also extend the finding to the affective illnesses, the other group of major psychoses.
From predicting to analyzing HIV-1 resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies

Treatment with broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) has recently proven effective against HIV-1 infections in humanized mice, non-human primates, and humans. For optimal treatment, susceptibility of the patient’s viral strains to a particular bNAb has to be ensured. Since no computational approaches are so far available, susceptibility can only be tested in expensive and time-consuming neutralization experiments. Here, we present well-performing computational models (AUC up to 0.84) that can predict HIV-1 resistance to bNAbs given the envelope sequence of the virus. Having learnt important binding sites of the bNAbs from the envelope sequence, the models are also biologically meaningful and useful for epitope recognition. Additional to the prediction result, we provide a motif logo that displays the contribution of the pivotal residues of the test sequence to the prediction. As our prediction models are based on non-linear kernels, we introduce a new visualization technique to improve the model interpretability. Moreover, we confirmed previous experimental findings that there is a trend towards antibody resistance for the subtype B population of the virus. While previous experiments considered rather small and selected cohorts, we were able to show a similar trend for the global HIV-1 population comprising all major subtypes by predicting the neutralization sensitivity for around 36,000 HIV-1 sequences - a scale-up which is very difficult to achieve in an experimental setting.
A study of factors affecting participation and performance of police officers undertaking the Queensland Police Service's management development program by distance education

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.iv TABLE OF CONTENTS.v LIST OF APPENDICES.xii LIST OF TABLES . xiii LIST OF FIGURES . xiv CHAPTER 1 AN OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY.1 1.
High-order Harmonic-generation cutoff.

We have experimentally determined the harmonic-generation cutoff as a function of the laser intensity in neon using an intense, short-pulse Ti:sapphire laser. The experimental cutoff is lower than that obtained in single-atom calculations. Using a simple quantum-mechanical approach to harmonic generation valid at high intensity, we show that the difference is due to the effect of propagation.
Comparison between radarsat-1 SAR different data modes for oil spill detection by a fractal box counting algorithm

Abstract This work presents a modified formula for the fractal box counting dimension. The method is based on the utilisation of the probability distribution formula in the fractal box count. The purpose of this method is to use it for the discrimination of oil spill areas from the surrounding features, e.g. sea surface and look-alikes, using RADARSAT-1 SAR Wide beam mode (W1), Standard beam mode (S2) and Standard beam mode (S1) data acquisition under different wind speeds. The results show that the new formula is able to discriminate between oil spills and look-alike areas. The results also illustrate that the new fractal formula identifies well the deficiency of oil spills in pairs of S2 data. Further, there are no significant differences between fractal values of look-alikes, low wind zone, and current shear features in different beam modes for acquisition of RADARSAT-1 SAR data. The W1 mode data, however, show an error standard deviation of 0.002, thus performing a better discrimination of oil spills than the S1 and S2 mode data.
Expression of c-erbB-2, p53 and c-myc proteins in male breast carcinoma: Comparison with traditional prognostic factors and survival.

There are few data evaluating biological markers for men with breast cancer. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the expression of the oncogenes c-erbB-2 and c-myc and of the suppressor gene p53 by immunohistochemical techniques in archival paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 48 male breast cancer patients, treated at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. The results were compared with clinicopathological prognostic features. Immunopositivity of c-erbB-2, p53 and c-myc was detected in 62.5, 16.7 and 20.8% of the cases analyzed, respectively. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive in 75 and 69% of the cases, respectively. Increasing staging was statistically associated with c-erbB-2 (P = 0.04) and weakly related to p53 positivity (P = 0.06). No significant correlation between specific survival rate (determined by the log rank test) and the molecular markers analyzed was found, whereas the number of compromised lymph nodes and advanced TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) staging were associated with diminished survival.
Thioredoxin targets fundamental processes in a methane-producing archaeon, Methanocaldococcus jannaschii

Significance This study extends thioredoxin (Trx)-based oxidative redox regulation to the archaea, the third domain of life. Our study suggests that Trx is nearly ubiquitous in anaerobic methanogens, enabling them to recover from oxidative stress and synchronize cellular processes, including methane biogenesis, with the availability of reductants. As methane is a valuable fuel, an end product of anaerobic biodegradation and a potent greenhouse gas, Trx may now be considered a critical participant in the global carbon cycle, climate change, and bioenergy production. Because methanogenesis developed before the oxygenation of the earth, our work raises the possibility that Trx functioned in a complex redox regulatory network in anaerobic prokaryotes at least 2.5 billion years ago. Thioredoxin (Trx), a small redox protein, controls multiple processes in eukaryotes and bacteria by changing the thiol redox status of selected proteins. The function of Trx in archaea is, however, unexplored. To help fill this gap, we have investigated this aspect in methanarchaea—strict anaerobes that produce methane, a fuel and greenhouse gas. Bioinformatic analyses suggested that Trx is nearly universal in methanogens. Ancient methanogens that produce methane almost exclusively from H2 plus CO2 carried approximately two Trx homologs, whereas nutritionally versatile members possessed four to eight. Due to its simplicity, we studied the Trx system of Methanocaldococcus jannaschii—a deeply rooted hyperthermophilic methanogen growing only on H2 plus CO2. The organism carried two Trx homologs, canonical Trx1 that reduced insulin and accepted electrons from Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase and atypical Trx2. Proteomic analyses with air-oxidized extracts treated with reduced Trx1 revealed 152 potential targets representing a range of processes—including methanogenesis, biosynthesis, transcription, translation, and oxidative response. In enzyme assays, Trx1 activated two selected targets following partial deactivation by O2, validating proteomics observations: methylenetetrahydromethanopterin dehydrogenase, a methanogenesis enzyme, and sulfite reductase, a detoxification enzyme. The results suggest that Trx assists methanogens in combating oxidative stress and synchronizing metabolic activities with availability of reductant, making it a critical factor in the global carbon cycle and methane emission. Because methanogenesis developed before the oxygenation of Earth, it seems possible that Trx functioned originally in metabolic regulation independently of O2, thus raising the question whether a complex biological system of this type evolved at least 2.5 billion years ago.
Macromolecular requirements for abrogation of Fv-1 restriction by murine leukemia viruses

The molecular basis of abrogation of Fv-1 restriction in mouse cells by murine leukemia virus was investigated. Two different lines of experimentation indicated that high-molecular-weight viral RNA is required for abrogation. First, the decay of abrogating ability of virus stocks heated at 43 degrees C was quantitatively correlated with a loss of intact virion 35S RNA. Second, Act D virions, which lack such RNA although they contain normal structural proteins, failed to abrogate. These findings imply that abrogation does not result from the mere entry of virion structural proteins into a cell. Additional data indicate that the role of viral RNA in abrogation is not that of a template for DNA synthesis. Virus particles lacking reverse transcriptase activity as a result of either mutation or heat inactivation exhibit abrogating activity even though they do not synthesize detectable viral DNA. In addition, abrogation was shown to take place in the presence of cytosine arabinoside, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis. Thus, abrogation does not depend on viral or cellular DNA synthesis, and the role of viral RNA in this process must involve some other function. The nature of this viral function and its occurrence in Fv-1 permissive cells are discussed.
Workforce Composition and Innovation: How Diversity in Employees’ Ethnic and Educational Backgrounds Facilitates Firm-Level Innovativeness

In this paper, we study how workforce composition is related to a firm’s success in introducing radical innovations. Previous studies have argued that teams composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds are able to perform more information processing and make deeper use of the information, which is important to accomplish complex tasks. We suggest that this argument can be extended to the level of the aggregate workforce of high technology firms. In particular, we argue that ethnic and higher education diversity within the workforce is associated with superior performance in radical innovation. Using a sample of 3,888 Swedish firms, we find that having greater workforce diversity in terms of both ethnic background and educational disciplinary background is positively correlated to the share of a firm’s turnover generated by radical innovation. We also find that having more external collaborations reduces the importance of a workforce with a diverse disciplinary background, while the impact of ethnic diversity is not affected by external collaboration. Our findings hold after using alternative measures of dependent and independent variables, alternative sample sizes, and alternative estimation techniques. These include instrumental variable estimation as well as structural equation modeling for simultaneous estimation of diversity, R&D intensity, and external search.
Moderating Effect of Information Asymmetry on the Signalling Role of IPO Lockup Provision

Abstract This article examines the moderating effect of information asymmetry on the relationship between parameters of lockup provision and flipping activity of Malaysian initial public offerings (IPOs). While the main purpose of lockup provision is to promote commitment of major shareholders for the well-being of the IPO issuing companies at least throughout the lockup period, its role could also extend as a signalling device. Information asymmetry is prevalent in the context of IPOs because information on the issuing firms is normally very limited that the evaluation of the firms’ true value becomes difficult. This study postulates that the lockup provision has a greater influence on flipping activity in higher information asymmetry companies than in lower ones. Using data from 370 Malaysian IPOs issued from January 2000 to December 2012, the results of the multiple regression analyses show that both lockup ratio and lockup period have significantly negative impacts on flipping activities. Since lockup period is uniformly longer (1 year) prior to the 2008 Equity Guidelines revision, the results imply that investors have a greater tendency to flip during the post-2008 revision period when major shareholders are perceived to be less strongly accounted for their firms’ performance. The results also show that information asymmetry moderates the negative relationship between lockup provision and flipping activity, specifically, in regard to lockup period.