Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IgG Opsonization of HIV Impedes Provirus Formation in and Infection of Dendritic Cells and Subsequent Long-Term Transfer to T Cells1

Already at initial phases of infection, HIV is coated with complement fragments. During the chronic phase, when HIV-specific IgGs appear, the virus circulates immune complexed with IgG and complement. Thus, we studied the interaction of dendritic cells (DCs) and DC-T cell cocultures with complement (C)-opsonized and C-IgG-opsonized HIV. HIV infection of monocyte-derived DCs and circulating BDCA-1-positive DCs was significantly reduced upon the presence of virus-specific but non-neutralizing IgGs. DCs exposed to C-Ig-HIV or IgG-opsonized HIV showed an impaired provirus formation and p24 production and a decreased transmission rate to autologous nonstimulated T cells upon migration along a chemokine gradient. This reduced infectivity was also observed in long-term experiments, when T cells were added delayed to DCs exposed to IgG-coated HIV without migration. Similar kinetics were seen when sera from HIV-1-infected individuals before and after seroconversion were used in infection assays. Both C- and C-IgG-opsonized HIV were captured and targeted to a tetraspanin-rich endosome in immature DCs, but differed with respect to MHC class II colocalization. The reduced infection by IgG-opsonized HIV is possibly due to interactions of virus-bound IgG with FcγRIIb expressed on DCs. Therefore, the intracellular fate and transmission of immune-complexed HIV seems to differ depending on time and opsonization pattern.
Enzyme immunoassay for the macrocyclic trichothecene roridin A: production, properties, and use of rabbit antibodies

Antisera against roridin A were prepared by using a roridin A-hemisuccinate derivative coupled to human serum albumin as the immunogen. Antibodies could be detected in the sera of the immunized rabbits as early as 4 weeks after the initial exposure. After one booster injection at week 14, high antibody titers were measured over a period of 21 weeks. The specificity and sensitivity of the antibodies were tested by using roridin A-hemisuccinate coupled to horseradish peroxidase as an enzyme-linked toxin in a competitive assay with a double-antibody solid phase. The assay was most specific for the tested macrocyclic trichothecenes, and the relative cross-reactivities with roridin A, roridin J, verrucarin A, satratoxin H, and satratoxin G were 1, 0.41, 0.15, 0.15, and 0.07, respectively. When 16 nonmacrocyclic trichothecenes were tested, only diacetylverrucarol (0.0015) and verrucarol (0.0005) showed minor cross-reactivity. The sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassay for the detection of roridin A was in the range of 5 to 50 ng/ml (0.16 to 1.6 ng per assay).
The Prevalence and Disability Burden of Adult Migraine in England and their Relationships to Age, Gender and Ethnicity

This study estimates the 1-year prevalence of migraine in adults in England in relation to the major demographic variables of age, gender and ethnicity, and describes some of its features, including aspects of consequential disability. A telephone survey was conducted of a random sample (n = 4007) of the population aged 16-65 years of mainland England using a previously validated diagnostic interview. The response rate was 76.5%. Overall, 7.6% of males and 18.3% of females reported migraine with or without aura within the last year meeting diagnostic criteria closely approximate to those of the International Headache Society. Prevalence of migraine varied with age, rising through early adult life and declining in the late 40s and early 50s. Prevalence was higher in Caucasians than in other races. Attack rates were ≥ 1/month in most migraineurs, and most experienced interference with daily activities in ≥ 50% of their attacks. On average, an estimated 5.7 working days were lost per year for every working or student migraineur, although the most disabled 10% accounted for 85% of the total. Results were in keeping with those from surveys in other countries. If these findings in mainland England are projected to the entire UK population, we estimate that 5.85 million people aged 16-65 years experience 190 000 migraine attacks every day and lose 25 million days from work or school each year because of them. Migraine is an important public health problem in the UK, associated with very substantial costs.
Frequency Selectivity for Hearing-Impaired and Broadband-noise-masked Normal Listeners

When evaluating frequency selectivity, it is difficult to determine if the deviation from normal performance observed for hearing-impaired listeners reflects abnormal cochlear function or normal, level-dependent changes in frequency selectivity. This experiment was designed to investigate the dependence of frequency-selectivity measures on threshold and signal level. Auditory-filter characteristics, critical ratios, forward-masked psychophysical tuning curves, and narrowband-noise masking patterns were obtained from normal-hearing listeners in quiet and in the presence of broadband noise at five levels. These findings were then compared to previously obtained frequency-selectivity measurements for subjects with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss whose absolute thresholds are comparable to the normal-hearing listeners’ masked thresholds. The results suggest that frequency selectivity deterioriates as threshold increases for all subjects. However, the poor frequency selectivity exhibited by hearing-impaired listeners may not be explained entirely by the effects of threshold and signal level. Nevertheless, because frequency selectivity is poorer in the normal auditory system at higher stimulus levels, the deviation from normal performance observed for hearing-impaired listeners may not be as large as previously suggested.
The diagnostic interview for psychoses (DIP): development, reliability and applications

Background. We describe the development, reliability and applications of the Diagnostic Interview for Psychoses (DIP), a comprehensive interview schedule for psychotic disorders. Method. The DIP is intended for use by interviewers with a clinical background and was designed to occupy the middle ground between fully structured, lay-administered schedules, and semi-structured, psychiatrist-administered interviews. It encompasses four main domains: (a) demographic data; (b) social functioning and disability; (c) a diagnostic module comprising symptoms, signs and past history ratings; and (d) patterns of service utilization and patient-perceived need for services. It generates diagnoses according to several sets of criteria using the OPCRIT computerized diagnostic algorithm and can be administered either on-screen or in a hard-copy format. Results. The DIP proved easy to use and was well accepted in the field. For the diagnostic module, inter-rater reliability was assessed on 20 cases rated by 24 clinicians: good reliability was demonstrated for both ICD-10 and DSM-III-R diagnoses. Seven cases were interviewed 2–11 weeks apart to determine test–retest reliability, with pairwise agreement of 0·8–1·0 for most items. Diagnostic validity was assessed in 10 cases, interviewed with the DIP and using the SCAN as ‘gold standard’: in nine cases clinical diagnoses were in agreement. Conclusions. The DIP is suitable for use in large-scale epidemiological studies of psychotic disorders, as well as in smaller studies where time is at a premium. While the diagnostic module stands on its own, the full DIP schedule, covering demography, social functioning and service utilization makes it a versatile multi-purpose tool.
Diagnostic Value of 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT Imaging of Brain Tumors—Preliminary Analysis

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of using 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT for imaging brain lesions and its comparison with 18F-FDG. Methods Ten patients with brain lesions were included in the study. Five patients were treated cases of glioblastoma with suspected recurrence. 18F-FDG and 68Ga PSMA-11 brain scans were done for these patients. Five patients were sent for assessing the nature (primary lesion/metastasis) of space occupying lesion in brain. They underwent whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT scan and a primary site elsewhere in the body was ruled out. Subsequently they underwent 68Ga PSMA-11 brain PET/CT imaging. Target to background ratios (TBR) for the brain lesions were calculated using contralateral cerebellar uptake as background. Results In five treated cases of glioblastoma with suspected recurrence the findings of 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT showed good correlation with that of 18F-FDG PET/CT scan. Compared to the 18F-FDG, 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT showed better visualization of the recurrent lesion (presence/absence) owing to its significantly high TBR. Among the five cases evaluated for lesion characterization glioma and atypical meningioma patients showed higher SUVmax in the lesion with 68Ga PSMA-11 than with 18F-FDG and converse in cases of lymphoma. TBR was better with 68Ga PSMA PET/CT in all cases. Conclusion 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT brain imaging is a potentially useful imaging tool in the evaluation of brain lesions. Absence of physiological uptake of 68Ga PSMA-11 in the normal brain parenchyma results in high TBR values and consequently better visualization of metabolically active disease in brain.
AZD1480: a phase I study of a novel JAK2 inhibitor in solid tumors.

BACKGROUND AZD1480 is a novel agent that inhibits Janus-associated kinases 1 and 2 (JAK1 and JAK2). The primary objective of this phase I study was to investigate the safety and tolerability of AZD1480 when administered as monotherapy to patients with solid tumors. METHODS Thirty-eight patients with advanced malignancies were treated at doses of 10-70 mg once daily (QD) and 20-45 mg b.i. d. RESULTS Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis revealed rapid absorption and elimination with minimal accumulation after repeated QD or b.i. d. dosing. Exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner from 10-50 mg. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was attained ∼1 hour after dose, and t1/2 was ∼5 hours. Pharmacodynamic analysis of circulating granulocytes demonstrated maximum phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) inhibition 1-2 hours after dose, coincident with Cmax, and greater pSTAT3 inhibition at higher doses. The average pSTAT3 inhibition in granulocytes at the highest dose tested, 70 mg QD, was 56% (standard deviation: ±21%) at steady-state drug levels. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) consisted of pleiotropic neurologic adverse events (AEs), including dizziness, anxiety, ataxia, memory loss, hallucinations, and behavior changes. These AEs were generally reversible with dose reduction or treatment cessation. CONCLUSIONS Whether the DLTs were due to inhibition of JAK-1/2 or to off-target effects is unknown. The unusual DLTs and the lack of clinical activity led to discontinuation of development.
Stability-Guaranteed Impedance Control of Hydraulic Robotic Manipulators

In challenging robotic tasks, high-bandwidth closed-loop control performance of the system is required for successful task completion. One of the most critical factors inhibiting the wide-spread use of closed-loop contact control applications has been the control system stability problems. To prevent unstable system behavior, the need for rigorously addressed manipulator dynamics is substantial. This is because the contact dynamics between a manipulator and its environment can be drastic. In this paper, a novel Cartesian space impedance control method is proposed for hydraulic robotic manipulators. To address the highly nonlinear dynamic behavior of the hydraulic manipulator, the system control is designed according to the subsystem-dynamics-based virtual decomposition control (VDC) approach. The unique features of VDC (<italic>virtual power flow</italic> and <italic>virtual stability</italic>) are used to analyze the interaction dynamics between the manipulator and the environment. Based on the desired impedance parameters and stability analysis, an explicit method to design the control gains for the proposed impedance control law is developed. The <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {L}_2$</tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {L}_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> stability is guaranteed in both free-space motions and constrained motions. Experimental results demonstrate that the hydraulic robotic manipulator is capable of adjusting its dynamic behavior accurately in relation to the imposed target impedance behavior. This provides compliant system behavior, which is needed in many dynamically challenging robotic tasks.
Associations between body mass index and clinico‐pathological characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that excess weight increases the risk of thyroid cancer. However, the associations between excess weight and prognostic factors for thyroid cancer are uncertain. We evaluated the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and clinico‐pathological features and outcomes of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).
Mid- to Long-term Clinical Outcome and Gait Biomechanics After Realignment Surgery in Asymmetric Ankle Osteoarthritis

Background: Joint-preserving, realignment surgical procedures have gained increasing popularity as treatment of asymmetric early- and mid-stage ankle osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to quantify bilateral gait biomechanics in patients who underwent ankle realignment surgery by supramalleolar osteotomies. Methods: Eight patients, a minimum of 7 years after realignment surgery, and 8 healthy controls were included in this study. Three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis was used to assess spatiotemporal parameters, bilateral joint angles, and moments. Furthermore, a clinical evaluation on pain, ankle function, and quality of life was performed. Results: Compared with the healthy controls, the patients walked more slowly, had a smaller sagittal hindfoot range of motion on their affected leg, and had a lower peak ankle dorsiflexion moment (P < .05). There were no significant differences compared with controls for the ranges of motion in the foot segments of the nonaffected foot and for the knee and hip joint ranges of motion and peak moments of both legs. Additionally, patients and controls did not differ in the quality of life score. However, in the pain subscore, the patients reported significantly more pain than the healthy persons. Conclusion: Despite different gait biomechanics of the affected foot after ankle realignment surgery, the quality of life for patients was comparable to that of healthy controls. Therefore, supramalleolar osteotomies should be considered as a promising treatment option in patients with asymmetric non-end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative study.
Cytarabine with high-dose mitoxantrone induces rapid complete remissions in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia without the use of vincristine or prednisone.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new induction regimen for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that does not contain vincristine or corticosteroids. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-seven adult patients with newly diagnosed ALL and lymphoblastic lymphoma were treated with a dose-intense induction regimen. This regimen was designed to increase the fraction of patients achieving an early complete remission (CR) in an attempt to increase long-term disease-free survival. The induction regimen was cytarabine (Ara-C) 3 g/m2/d for 5 days and mitoxantrone 80 mg/m2 as a single dose on day 3. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 200 micrograms/ m2/d beginning on day 7 was used to promote early myeloid recovery. RESULTS There were 31 CRs (84%). Median time to CR was 34 days, median hospital stay was 28 days, and the median number of days with a neutrophil count less than 500/microL was 18. There were three patients with resistant disease who experienced treatment failure and three early deaths from sepsis. Four patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) ALL achieved hematologic and cytogenetic CRs. CONCLUSION This dose-intense induction regimen produced a high incidence of CRs with acceptable toxicity without the use of vincristine or corticosteroids. Comparisons with our prior vincristine/prednisone-based induction regimen (the L-20 protocol) suggest that patients treated on the current study were more likely to achieve a CR and that they achieved this remission earlier than patients treated with a traditional four-drug (vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide) induction regimen.
Expression of Mutant NMDA Receptors in Dopamine D1 Receptor-Containing Cells Prevents Cocaine Sensitization and Decreases Cocaine Preference

The interaction of dopamine and glutamate in limbic brain regions mediates behaviors associated with psychostimulants, which act in part to increase dopamine signaling at both D1 receptors (D1Rs) and D2 receptors. Many addictive behaviors are a result of learned associations, and NMDA receptor activation has been shown to be important for these behaviors. We hypothesized that if NMDA receptor activation in dopamine receptor-containing cells is required for the addictive properties of psychostimulants, then mice with reduced NMDA receptor activity in D1R-containing cells would have attenuated long-term behavioral changes to these drugs. We generated a mouse line in which D1R-containing cells express an NR1 NMDA receptor subunit containing a mutation in the pore that reduces calcium flux. Mice expressing the mutant NMDA receptors in D1R-containing cells have normal basal activity and display similar increases in locomotor activity when treated with acute amphetamine or cocaine. However, the mutant mice fail to display locomotor sensitization to repeated cocaine administration. In addition, these mice also have a decreased ability to form a conditioned place preference to cocaine. These data suggest that intact NMDA receptor signaling in D1R-containing cells is required for the manifestation of behaviors associated with repeated drug exposure.
The Law and Finance of Corporate Takeovers in Europe

In der Dissertation wird das rechtliche Umfeld sowie dessen okonomische Auswirkungen auf den europaischen Markt fur Unternehmensubernahmen, den sog. M&A-Markt, untersucht. Es werden drei inhaltliche Schwerpunkte gesetzt: Zunachst wird analysiert, inwiefern es im und durch den europaischen M&A-Markt zu einer Konvergenz in Corporate-Governance-Standards in Europa kommt. Sodann folgt eine Analyse der "European Takeover Directive" in Hinblick darauf, welchen Einfluss gesetzliche Aktionarsrechte auf die Markteffizienz bei Unternehmensubernahmen haben. Schlieslich werden die Effizienzimplikationen von wettbewerbsrechtlicher Fusionskontrolle untersucht. The doctoral thesis examines the law and finance of corporate takeovers in Europe. The focus of the dissertation is three-fold: First, the work analyzes to what extent there is a process of corporate governance convergence in and through the European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market. Second, it exploits the "European Takeover Directive" to investigate the impact of legal shareholder rights on the market efficiency in corporate takeovers. Finally, it illuminates the efficiency implications of merger control law.
Remission, prediction and stability of symptoms in schizophrenia: A naturalistic 12-month follow-up study

Abstract Objective. Since its introduction in 2005, schizophrenia remission consensus criteria have been used in several prospective and cross-sectional studies. The aim of this prospective assessment of patients with schizophrenia was to employ the remission criteria in a naturalistic study design. Methods. One hundred and six patients with schizophrenia (ICD10 F 20.x) were enrolled into the study during inpatient treatment. Remission criteria with respect to changes in psychopathology ratings were obtained by trained interviewers at discharge and at 12-month follow-up using BPRS. Furthermore, information on social functioning and treatment-related quality of life were assessed using GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) and SWN-K (Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale). Results. A total of 13.2% of the patients were found to meet remission criteria during follow-up. While there was no significant change in the mean BPRS scores, 14.2% of the subjects showed significant worsening and 29.2% significant improvement of their psychotic symptoms. Subsequent logistic regression analysis, explaining approximately 32% of symptomatic remission variance, indicated a significant influence of BPRS-Overall-Score and independent living at discharge. Conclusions. The results of this naturalistic study indicate that only a minority of former inpatients with schizophrenia achieve remission after 1 year and relevant subgroups of patients have significant bi-directional changes in symptoms during follow-up.
STEATOHEPATITIS / METABOLIC LIVER DISEASE Role of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease : A Population-Based Study

Physical activity (PA) is commonly recommended for nonalchoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. However, there is limited evidence on the independent role of PA in NAFLD. The aim of this study was to examine the association between PA and NAFLD. We conducted a cross-sectional study of a subsample (n 375) of the Israeli National Health and Nutrition Survey. Exclusion criteria were any known etiology for liver disease. Participants underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination; biochemical tests, including leptin, adiponectin, and resistin; and the noninvasive biomarker SteatoTest and anthropometric evaluations. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and a detailed PA questionnaire were administered. Three hundred forty-nine patients (52.7% men, 30.9% primary NAFLD) were included. The NAFLD group engaged in less aerobic, resistance, or other kinds of PA (P < 0.03). The SteatoTest was significantly lower among subjects engaging in any PA or resistance PA at least once a week (P < 0.01). PA at least once a week in all categories was associated with a reduced risk for abdominal obesity. Adjusting for sex, engaging in any kind of sports (odds ratio [OR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.440.96 per 1 standard deviation increment in PA score) and resistance exercise (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.85) were inversely associated with NAFLD. These associations remained unchanged after adjusting for homeostasis model assessment, most nutritional factors, adiponectin, and resistin. Only the association with resistance PA remained significant with further adjustment for body mass index (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44-0.85). Adding leptin or waist circumference to the model eliminated the statistical significance. Conclusion: Habitual leisure-time PA, especially anaerobic, may play a protective role in NAFLD. This association appears to be mediated by a reduced rate of abdominal obesity. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;48: 1791-1798.)