Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms and signs in 11 consecutive AIDS patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma: a multicenter, multiyear study including 763 HIV-seropositive patients.

OBJECTIVES Gastrointestinal lymphoma is a distinct subgroup of lymphoma in HIV-seronegative patients. This study analyzes whether gastrointestinal lymphoma similarly forms a distinct clinical subgroup in HIV-seropositive patients. METHODS Case control study of medical records of 763 human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients admitted to three university hospitals from 1986 through 1992, including 22 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Eleven patients (50%) had gastrointestinal lymphoma, and 11 controls had extraintestinal lymphoma. RESULTS The clinical presentation in patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma was dominated by gastrointestinal symptoms and signs and gastrointestinal complications. Common symptoms and signs included: change in bowel habits, gross or occult blood per rectum, involuntary weight loss, abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, peripheral lymphadenopathy, cachexia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Significant gastrointestinal complications during the presenting admission included gastrointestinal bleeding in five, intestinal obstruction in one, and dysphagia from an esophageal stricture in one. Subsequent complications included a walled-off perforating gastric ulcer in one and obstructive jaundice in one. In contrast, the control patients with extraintestinal lymphoma had significantly fewer gastrointestinal symptoms and gastrointestinal complications (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively, Fisher's exact test). Upper gastrointestinal series or barium enema identified lymphomatous gastrointestinal lesions in all seven patients undergoing these tests. The pathologic diagnosis was made from endoscopic biopsies in six of six patients undergoing panendoscopy, and two of three patients undergoing lower endoscopy. Tumor sites included stomach in six, colon in three, ileum in two, esophagus in two, and duodenum in one. Eight patients had extraintestinal lesions at diagnosis, including four with extraabdominal extranodal lesions. The outcome of gastrointestinal lymphoma was poor with all therapies (mean combined survival = 3.6 +/- 2.2 months), and was not significantly different from that for the controls (mean survival = 4.1 +/- 2.7 months, Student's t test). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that gastrointestinal lymphoma in AIDS shares the poor prognosis and aggressive features of extraintestinal lymphoma in AIDS, but has unique localizing features at presentation of predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms and signs, and frequent gastrointestinal complications.
Pay for performance versus non-financial incentives in small and medium-sized enterprises

The use of pay for performance (PFP) in organisations has come to be a standard tool in human resource management within the past three decades. However, economic-psychological literature questions the effectiveness of PFP plans, as they might crowd out intrinsic motivation, leading to reduced labour efforts of employees. This paper discusses the situation of PFP in relation to non-financial incentives in German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We find that variable pay is well-established in German SME and discuss the effects of financial and non-financial incentives on intrinsic motivation. We identify three key factors for the success of SME: social environment, non-financial incentives, and intrinsic motivation. These factors are strongly connected and can be used to offer employees a different kind of workplace in contrast to big companies. We point out that PFP in SME can be hazardous and the use of this kind of compensation must be implemented implemented.
Cultural Effects on Management Style

Because of vast cultural differences, Middle Eastern managers working in U.S. organizations may function differently from their U.S. counterparts. Middle Eastern managers' management styles are impacted by their culture. This study examines the effect of culture on the management style of immigrant Middle Eastern managers via a review of the culture of Middle East countries, as compared with those of the United States. Other variables such as gender, level of education, and the organizational position of subject managers are also analyzed.
Direct Interaction of the Rab3 Effector RIM with Ca2+Channels, SNAP-25, and Synaptotagmin*

To define the role of the Rab3-interacting molecule RIM in exocytosis we searched for additional binding partners of the protein. We found that the two C2 domains of RIM display properties analogous to those of the C2B domain of synaptotagmin-I. Thus, RIM-C2A and RIM-C2B bind in a Ca2+-independent manner to α1B, the pore-forming subunit of N-type Ca2+ channels (EC50 = ∼20 nm). They also weakly interact with the α1C but not the α1D subunit of L-type Ca2+channels. In addition, the C2 domains of RIM associate with SNAP-25 and synaptotagmin-I. The binding affinities for these two proteins are 203 and 24 nm, respectively, for RIM-C2A and 224 and 16 nm for RIM-C2B. The interactions of the C2 domains of RIM with SNAP-25 and synaptotagmin-I are modulated by Ca2+. Thus, in the presence of Ca2+ (EC50 = ∼75 μm) the interaction with synaptotagmin-I is increased, whereas SNAP-25 binding is reduced. Synaptotagmin-I binding is abolished by mutations in two positively charged amino acids in the C2 domains of RIM and by the addition of inositol polyphosphates. We propose that the Rab3 effector RIM is a scaffold protein that participates through its multiple binding partners in the docking and fusion of secretory vesicles at the release sites.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Direct Bacterial Identification from Positive Blood Culture Pellets

ABSTRACT An ammonium chloride erythrocyte-lysing procedure was used to prepare a bacterial pellet from positive blood cultures for direct matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis. Identification was obtained for 78.7% of the pellets tested. Moreover, 99% of the MALDI-TOF identifications were congruent at the species level when considering valid scores. This fast and accurate method is promising.
Study on the control of the compositions and properties of a biodegradable polyester elastomer

Biodegradable polyester elastomers are widely reported to be applied in varied biomedical fields. In this paper, we attempt to investigate how both the thermal-curing time and molar ratio of the monomers affect the final compositions and properties of the novel poly(glycerol-sebacate-citrate) (PGSC) elastomers. First, PGSC elastomers are obtained after the thermal curing of the moldable mixtures consisting of citric acid and poly(glycerol-sebacate) (PGS) prepolymers synthesized in the lab. Then further studies show that, on the one hand, the control of longer thermal-curing time results in elastomers with less sol, lower swelling degree, slower degradation, greater mechanical strength and higher glass transition temperature and, on the other hand, the crosslink with more citric acid is advantageous to greatly improving their mechanical strength and glass transition temperatures, simultaneously decreasing their sol contents, swelling degrees and degradation rates. The PGSC elastomers show thermosetting properties, certain strength, mass losses lower than 20% after 4-week degradation and durative water absorption during degradation. Thus they might be potentially used as degradable bio-coatings, varied soft biomedical membranes and drug delivery matrices.
Bacteria Associated with Mucus and Tissues of the Coral Oculina patagonica in Summer and Winter

ABSTRACT The relative abundance of bacteria in the mucus and crushed tissue of the Mediterranean coral Oculina patagonica was determined by analyses of the 16S rRNA genes of isolated colonies and from a 16S rRNA clone library of extracted DNA. By SYBR gold staining, the numbers of bacteria in mucus and tissue samples were 6.2 × 107 and 8.3 × 108/cm2 of coral surface, respectively, 99.8% of which failed to produce colonies on Marine Agar. From analysis of mucus DNA, the most-abundant bacterium was Vibrio splendidus, representing 68% and 50% of the clones from the winter and summer, respectively. After removal of mucus from coral by centrifugation, analyses of DNA from the crushed tissue revealed a large diversity of bacteria, with Vibrio species representing less than 5% of the clones. The most-abundant culturable bacteria were a Pseudomonas sp. (8 to 14%) and two different α-proteobacteria (6 to 18%). Out of a total 1,088 16S rRNA genes sequenced, 400 different operational taxonomic units were identified (>99.5% identity). Of these, 295 were novel (<99% identical to any sequences in the GenBank database). This study provides a comprehensive database for future examinations of changes in the bacterial community during bleaching events.
Does exposure to coal dust prevent or cause lung cancer?

Research published in this journal and elsewhere has demonstrated an increased risk of pneumoconiosis and more recently chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among coal miners. Despite this extensive research base, many puzzles remain such as the deficit of lung cancer reported in many studies of coal miners. These findings are surprising since in addition to coal dust, miners are exposed to other substances that are widely recognised as causing respiratory cancer in humans, most notably silica,1 but also diesel exhaust and radon gas. We have chosen for this editorial two landmark papers from the journal archives that addressed this as yet unresolved issue. In his 1955 article, Primary lung cancer in South Wales coal-workers with pneumoconiosis ,2 James described the autopsy findings of approximately 1800 coal miners and 1500 non-miners who died in South Wales between 1947 and 1952. Lung cancer was found to be less common in coal miners (3.3%) than in non-miners (5.4%). Furthermore, the proportion of lung cancers appeared to be inversely related to the severity of pulmonary disease in the coal miners, being 5.1% among individuals with simple pneumoconiosis and only 1.4% among individuals with progressive massive fibrosis. Based on his study and previous autopsy studies with similar findings,3–5 James concluded that the findings “do not suggest that inhaled coal dust is carcinogenic”. Goldman in his 1965 article,6 Mortality of coal-miners from carcinoma of the lung , presented a review of findings from several published studies and unreported investigations that supported the hypothesis that “mortality from cancer of the lung is appreciably lower for coal-miners than for other men of similar age”. He gives credit for the initial discovery to Kennaway and Kennaway who reported in 1936 that lung cancer mortality among coal miners was approximately 50% lower than among men in other …
Working Toward Freedom from Violence

This article explores the utility of applying the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change to the problems facing battered women with a goal of understanding and systematically measuring how battered women work to overcome the abuse in their lives. The central constructs of the Transtheoretical Model—stages of change, processes of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy—are described with supporting research, and the relevance of this model for the issues with which battered women deal is discussed. An awareness of the process and stages of change may be useful for members of the criminal justice system and the helping professions in their dealings with victims of abuse.
Using Introductory Videos to Enhance ePortfolios and to Make Them Useful in the Hiring Process.

This article explores whether or not there is a more effective way to develop and present portfolios to make them more meaningful and usable in the hiring process. An example of a pilot ePortfolio, with an accompanying three to four-minute introductory reflective video highlighting the pre-service teachers’ beliefs about education, was shown to 15 practicing public school principals who represented a variety of school sizes, community locations, and grade levels. Semi-structured interviews addressing the potential use of ePortfolios and introductory reflective videos in the hiring process were conducted with participating principals. This article includes descriptions of how principals may make use of ePortfolios in selecting teachers. For instance, in contrast to the extremely minimal use of binder-based and traditional electronic portfolios, 93% of principals interviewed indicated they would use the introductory videos contained in the ePortfolios during the hiring process. This article includes a number of additional findings supported by rich qualitative data, suggestions for ways to improve on the pilot ePortfolio, and links to an example of the pilot ePortfolio (http://geturl.uww.edu/1o3) and to an example of the next version of the ePortfolio (http://geturl.uww.edu/1o2).
Influence of glutathione‐S‐transferase theta (GSTT1) and mu (GSTM1) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. Genetic polymorphism has been reported as a factor for increased susceptibility of HCC. Glutathione‐S‐transferases theta (GSTT1) and mu (GSTM1) play essential roles in detoxification of ingested xenobiotics and modulation of the susceptibility of gene‐related cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate the relationships between these two gene polymorphisms and HCC risk and clinicopathological status in Taiwanese.
PTSD Prevalence, Associated Exposures, and Functional Health Outcomes in a Large, Population-Based Military Cohort

Objectives. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results from experiencing or witnessing traumatic, life-threatening events including combat-related experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and diagnosis, self-reported exposures, and functional health in a large cross-section of the U.S. military. Methods. This study used baseline Millennium Cohort data (July 2001 to June 2003) of 75,156 U.S. military members to assess the population-based prevalence of PTSD symptoms, self-reported exposures, and functional health as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey for Veterans (SF-36V). Results. PTSD diagnosis without current symptoms was reported by 953 respondents (1.2%, weighted), 1,490 respondents (2.1%, weighted) reported no diagnosis but reported PTSD symptoms, and 287 respondents (0.4%, weighted) reported diagnosis and current symptoms. Self-reported exposure to chemical or biological warfare agents, protective countermeasures, or hearing alarms were associated with PTSD symptoms independent of other combat-like exposures. Physical health was similar among those with PTSD diagnosis and current PTSD symptoms. However, compared with the overall cohort, lower mental health summary means for those reporting current PTSD symptoms (mean 5 27.8), current symptoms and diagnosis (mean = 24.6), and diagnosis without current symptoms (mean = 47.5) were found. Conclusions. Results suggest a 2.0% prevalence of PTSD symptoms without diagnosis and that self-reported threatening exposures were significantly associated with PTSD symptoms. Mental and physical health scores of those with current PTSD symptoms appear diminished, but suggest a return to cohort levels with resolution of PTSD symptoms.
Altered electrophysiological responses to mechanical stimulation and abnormal signalling through alpha5beta1 integrin in chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage.

OBJECTIVE To establish whether chondrocytes from normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage recognize and respond to pressure induced mechanical strain in a similar manner. DESIGN Chondrocytes, extracted from macroscopically normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage obtained from knee joints at autopsy, were grown in monolayer culture and subjected to cyclical pressure-induced strain (PIS) in the absence or presence of anti-integrin antibodies, agents known to block ion channels and inhibitors of key molecules involved in the integrin-associated signalling pathways. The response of the cells to mechanical stimulation was assessed by measuring changes in membrane potential. RESULTS Unlike chondrocytes from normal articular cartilage, which showed a membrane hyperpolarization response to PIS, chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage responded by membrane depolarization. The mechanotransduction pathway involves alpha5beta1 integrins, stretch-activated ion channels, tyrosine kinases and phospholipase C but the actin cytoskeleton and protein kinase C, which are important in the membrane hyperpolarization response in normal chondrocytes, are not necessary for membrane depolarization in osteoarthritic chondrocytes in response to PIS. CONCLUSION Chondrocytes derived from osteoarthritic cartilage show a different signalling pathway via alpha5beta1 integrin in response to mechanical stimulation which may be of importance in the production of phenotypic changes recognized to be present in diseased cartilage.
Are Health State Valuations from the General Public Biased? A Test of Health State Reference Dependency Using Self‐assessed Health and an Efficient Discrete Choice Experiment

Health state valuations of patients and non-patients are not the same, whereas health state values obtained from general population samples are a weighted average of both. The latter constitutes an often-overlooked source of bias. This study investigates the resulting bias and tests for the impact of reference dependency on health state valuations using an efficient discrete choice experiment administered to a Dutch nationally representative sample of 788 respondents. A Bayesian discrete choice experiment design consisting of eight sets of 24 (matched pairwise) choice tasks was developed, with each set providing full identification of the included parameters. Mixed logit models were used to estimate health state preferences with respondents' own health included as an additional predictor. Our results indicate that respondents with impaired health worse than or equal to the health state levels under evaluation have approximately 30% smaller health state decrements. This confirms that reference dependency can be observed in general population samples and affirms the relevance of prospect theory in health state valuations. At the same time, the limited number of respondents with severe health impairments does not appear to bias social tariffs as obtained from general population samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leishmaniasis in Germany

In 2000, a reference center was created to systematically record leishmaniases in Germany. We analyzed 58 cases of leishmaniases imported during a 2-year period. These findings will serve as a baseline for the sandfly vector’s anticipated northward move because of global warming and as an advisory for immunocompromised persons traveling to leishmaniasis-endemic areas.
Pollen Diet Composition Impacts Early Nesting Success in Queen Bumble Bees Bombus impatiens Cresson(Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract Bumble bees are generalist pollinators that typically collect floral rewards from a wide array of flowering plant species. Among the greatest threats to wild bumble bee populations worldwide, many of which are declining, is a loss of floral resource abundance and diversity in the landscapes they inhabit. We examined how composition of pollen diet impacts early nesting success in laboratory-reared queens of the bumble bee Bombus impatiens. Specifically, we provided queens and their young nests with one of three pollen diets, each of which was dominated by a single pollen type, and explored how this diet treatment influenced the length of time until queens initiated nests, total counts of brood in the nest at the end of the experiment (8 wk later), and the size and weight of adult offspring produced. We found that the amount of later-stage brood (pupae and/or adults) produced by recently-initiated nests was strongly impacted by pollen diet. For example, on average 66% fewer later-stage brood were found in nests provided with the Cistus pollen Linnaeus (Cistaceae), relative to the predominantly Asteraceae pollen.This finding suggests that particular pollen diet compositions may delay larval growth, which delays colony development and may ultimately be detrimental for young nests. This study sheds light on how one of the leading stressors for bumble bees (nutritional stress) may negatively impact populations through its influence on brood production during the nest-founding stage of the colony cycle.
Transcriptional regulation induced by cAMP elevation in mouse Schwann cells

In peripheral nerves, Schwann cell development is regulated by a variety of signals. Some of the aspects of Schwann cell differentiation can be reproduced in vitro in response to forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator elevating intracellular cAMP levels. Herein, the effect of forskolin treatment was investigated by a comprehensive genome-wide expression study on primary mouse Schwann cell cultures. Additional to myelin-related genes, many so far unconsidered genes were ascertained to be modulated by forskolin. One of the strongest differentially regulated gene transcripts was the transcription factor Olig1 (oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1), whose mRNA expression levels were reduced in treated Schwann cells. Olig1 protein was localized in myelinating and nonmyelinating Schwann cells within the sciatic nerve as well as in primary Schwann cells, proposing it as a novel transcription factor of the Schwann cell lineage. Data analysis further revealed that a number of differentially expressed genes in forskolin-treated Schwann cells were associated with the ECM (extracellular matrix), underlining its importance during Schwann cell differentiation in vitro. Comparison of samples derived from postnatal sciatic nerves and from both treated and untreated Schwann cell cultures showed considerable differences in gene expression between in vivo and in vitro, allowing us to separate Schwann cell autonomous from tissue-related changes. The whole data set of the cell culture microarray study is provided to offer an interactive search tool for genes of interest.
A second neutralizing epitope of B19 parvovirus implicates the spike region in the immune response

We used 18 monoclonal antibodies against B19 parvovirus to identify neutralizing epitopes on the viral capsid. Of the 18 antibodies, 9 had in vitro neutralizing activity in a bone marrow colony culture assay. The overlapping polypeptide fragments spanning the B19 structural proteins were produced in a pMAL-c Escherichia coli expression system and used to investigate the binding sites of the neutralizing antibodies. One of the nine neutralizing antibodies reacted with both VP1 and VP2 capsid proteins and a single polypeptide fragment on an immunoblot, identifying a linear neutralizing epitope between amino acids 57 and 77 of the VP2 capsid protein. Eight of nine neutralizing antibodies failed to react with either of the capsid proteins or any polypeptide fragments, despite reactivities with intact virions in a radioimmunoassay, suggesting that additional conformationally dependent neutralizing epitopes exist.