Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhalation of aerosolized vitamin a: reversibility of metaplasia and dysplasia of human respiratory epithelia -- a prospective pilot study.

The objective of this preliminary uncontrolled study was twofold: First, to assess the feasibility of retinyl palmitate inhalation and second, to analyze the changes of metaplastic lesions of the respiratory epithelium (metaplasia or dysplasia) following retinyl palmitate inhalation. The response to a daily dose of 18.000 I.U. retinyl palmitate by inhalation over a period of 3 month was assessed in 11 subjects (9 smokers, 2 ex-smokers). Using white-light bronchoscopy combined with autofluorescence bronchoscopy, bronchial biopsies were taken before and after a 3 month-period. The biopsy samples were evaluated blind by a referee lung pathologist. The overall response rate (remission or partial remission) was 56% (95% CI 0.30 0.79; p<0.05). These data suggest that inhalation of retinyl esters could be a promising therapeutical approach for chemoprevention of lung cancer. Vitamin A; chemoprevention; lung cancer; squamous metaplasia; dysplasia; retinoids
A Review of the Preclinical Pharmacology of Tiagabine: A Potent and Selective Anticonvulsant GABA Uptake Inhibitor

Summary: We review the neurochemical and behavioral profile of the selective γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) up‐take inhibitor, (R)‐N‐(4,4‐di‐(3‐methylthien‐2‐yl)but‐3‐enyl) nipecotic acid hydrochloride [tiagabine (TGB), previously termed NNC 05‐0328, NO 05‐0328, and NO‐328], which is currently in phase III clinical trials for epilepsy. TGB is a potent, and specific GABA uptake inhibitor. TGB lacks significant affinity for other neurotransmitter receptor binding sites and/or uptake sites. In electrophysiological experiments in hippocampal slices in culture, TGB prolonged the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSC) in the CA1 and CA3 produced by the addition of exogenous GABA. In vivo microdialysis shows that TGB also in‐creases extracellular GABA overflow in a dose‐dependent manner. Together these biochemical data suggest that the in vitro and in vivo mechanism of action of TGB is to inhibit GABA uptake specifically, resulting in an increase in GABAergic mediated inhibition in the brain. TGB is a potent anticonvulsant agent against methyl‐6,7‐dimethyox‐4‐ethyl‐B‐carboline‐3‐carboxylate (DMCM)‐induced clonic convulsions (mice), subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‐induced tonic convulsions (mice and rats), sound‐induced convulsions in DBA/2 mice and genetically epilepsy‐prone rats (GEPR), and electrically induced convulsions in kindled rats. TGB is partially efficacious against subcutaneous PTZ‐induced clonic convulsions, and photically induced myoclonus in Papio papio. TGB is weakly efficacious in the intravenous PTZ seizure threshold test and the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test and produces only partial protection against bicuculline (BIC)‐induced convulsions in rats. The overall biochemical and anticonvulsant profile of TGB suggests potential utility in the treatment of chronic seizure disorders such as generalized clonic‐tonic epilepsy (GTCS), photomyoclonic seizures, myoclonic petit mal epilepsy, and complex partial epilepsy.
Effect of low serum total protein on sodium and potassium measurement by ion-selective electrodes in critically ill patients

Abstract Hypoproteinaemia may lead to spuriously high electrolyte values using indirect ion-selective electrodes (ISE) compared to direct ISEs. This study evaluates the impact on electrolyte status assessment of direct compared to indirect ISE sodium and potassium measurements in samples from critically ill patients who have a high prevalence of hypoproteinaemia. Serum sodium and potassium measurements were compared using indirect and direct ISE in 190 samples received from critical care units over a three-week period. Serum sodium and potassium measurements were higher (P<0.0001) using indirect ISE (140.0±5.0 and 4.5±0.6, respectively) compared to direct ISE (136.5±5.2 and 4.5±0.6, respectively). The calculated difference between indirect and direct ISE values for sodium increased as total protein concentration decreased (Y=7.2–0.07X, 95% CI slope –0.1 to –0.05, P<0.0001, r2=0.14). Hypoproteinaemia was present in 85% of samples. Indirect ISE, compared to direct ISE, misclassified 28% of samples as pseudonormonatraemia (19%), pseudohypernatraemia (8%), pseudonormokalaemia (0.8%) and pseudohyperkalaemia (0.4%). Hypoproteinaemia is common in critically ill patients and this may lead to spuriously high indirect ISE electrolyte measurements, resulting in significant misclassification of electrolyte (particularly sodium) status. In such patients, direct ISE (as employed in point-of-care testing) offers more accurate and consistent electrolyte results than does indirect ISE (commonly used in major laboratory analysers).
Hepatitis C virus—biology, host evasion strategies, and promising new therapies on the horizon

Hepatitis C reduces the quality of life for some 170 million people around the globe and is one of the most prevalent diseases on the planet. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that is replicated by an error‐prone polymerase and therefore undergoes rapid evolution. To date, although much has been learned about the biology of HCV, only a partially effective combination therapy comprised of ribavirin and pegylated‐interferon‐α is available to hepatitis C sufferers. Given the prevalence of hepatitis C, together with the fact that almost half the chronically infected HCV patients are refractory to current therapy, there is an urgent need for an efficacious immunoprophylactic that protects individuals from HCV infection, as well as drugs that impede the viral life cycle effectively and eradicate infection. Herein, I provide an overview of the molecular biology of HCV, highlighting the functions of different virally encoded proteins in terms of how they alter signaling pathways of host cell to establish an infection and discuss whether a more promising therapy for treating hepatitis C is anywhere in sight. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 27, No. 3, 353–373, 2007
To plan or not to plan? Goal achievement or interrupting the performance of mundane behaviors

The present experiment investigated cognitive and behavioral effects of planning (i.e. forming implementation intentions) on goal pursuit during the performance of mundane behaviors. Participants received the goal to collect a coupon halfway the hall from the lab to the cafeteria. Later, they were also given the task to go from the lab to the cafeteria. Thus participants had to attain a new goal by interrupting a mundane behavior. Some participants enriched their goal with implementation intentions, others did not. Results showed that participants who formed implementation intentions were more effective in goal pursuit than the control group. Importantly, the data suggest that the effects of planning on goal completion are mediated by a heightened mental accessibility of environmental cues related to the goal completion task.
A Longitudinal Analysis of Criminal and Aggressive Behaviors Among a National Sample of Adults in Mutual-Help Recovery Homes

Criminal and aggressive behaviors are frequently observed among those recovering from substance abuse problems. In the present one-year longitudinal study, a national sample of residents from self-governed, communal-living recovery homes for substance abuse completed baseline and follow-up measures of criminal and aggressive behavior. Results indicated that a length of stay of 6 months or longer was associated with lower levels of self-reported criminal and aggressive behaviors at the one-year follow-up. Environmental mechanisms proposed as influences for these outcomes, as well as treatment implications, are discussed.
Two Challenging Problems in Control Theory

This chapter discusses two important yet challenging theoretical problems for control systems, namely, the static output feedback stabilization problem and the structured singular value problem. Both problems are well known in the control literature and have been intensively studied. This article introduces several known results related to the computational complexities of these problems, with the aim to encourage new research on them.
Autophagy-dependent ATP release from dying cells via lysosomal exocytosis

ATP not only represents a key molecule for the intracellular storage and utilization of energy, but also plays a central role in the extracellular milieu, as it both recruits and activates immune cells. The secretion of ATP in the course of immunogenic cell death (ICD), a peculiar type of apoptosis that elicits adaptive immune responses, critically relies on the molecular machinery for autophagy. We have recently demonstrated that autophagy allows for the ICD-associated secretion of ATP as it contributes to the maintenance of lysosomal ATP stores. In addition, we found that ATP release in this setting is mediated by a molecular mechanism that involves lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)- and pannexin 1 (PANX1)-dependent lysosomal exocytosis.
Determinants of Saving among Low-Income Individuals in Rural Uganda: Evidence from Assets Africa

Although research has shown that poor people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including those living in rural areas save, little is known about the factors that influence saving and asset accumulation among this population. Using three theoretical perspectives on saving and asset accumulation, this study examines the broader determinants of saving and asset accumulation among low-income individuals in rural Uganda. Compared with the individual-oriented and sociological perspectives, institutional theory explains a large part of the variance in saving outcome among rural, low-income households. Wealth, proximity to financial institutions, financial education, and financial incentives are positively associated with higher saving performance. Findings suggest that poor people can and do save, particularly when institutional barriers to saving are removed. Institutional structures, which encourage low-income individuals to save, may contribute to a poverty reduction policy that shifts from just income supplementation to a more inclusive wealth promotion policy that assists people in creating their own pathways out of poverty.
Normative Data on the Korean Version of the Western Aphasia Battery

ABSTRACT The study aimed to describe the properties of the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery (hereinafter K-WAB) and to present the normative data of normal individuals and patients. The K-WAB contains the same test contents and structure as the original WAB and the general test administration method was maintained. We administered the K-WAB to 224 normal adults in seven age groups (15–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and 75 years or older), in five educational levels (0, 1–6, 7–9, 10–12, and 13 years or more) and by gender. The age and educational levels were influential to the K-WAB performance. Accordingly, we formed six subgroups of the normal: two age groups (15–74, and 75 years or older groups) by three educational groups (0, 1–6, and 7 years or more). Two hundred thirty-eight patients were also evaluated using the K-WAB. The highest aphasia quotient (AQ), language quotient (LQ), and cortical quotient (CQ) were achieved by 15–74 age group with 7 or more years of education (M=97.11, M=95.51, M=95.57, respectively). Based on the receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses on AQ, LQ and CQ values, cut-off scores to optimally differentiate between the normal and the aphasic individuals were also provided.
Synchrotron X‐ray microscopic computed tomography of the pump system of a female mosquito

The pumping organ of blood‐sucking female mosquitoes has a three‐dimensional (3D) structure. However, conventional two‐dimensional imaging methods are insufficient for visualizing the 3D structure in detail. Furthermore, their 3D imaging tasks are highly time consuming and sample preparation process requires elaborate skill. Among 3D imaging techniques, synchrotron X‐ray microscopic computed tomography (SR‐μCT) is especially suitable for small insects with opaque cuticles, such as mosquitoes. In this study, the 3D morphological structure of the pump system of a female mosquito was visualized using SR‐μCT. Expandable volume capacities of two pump chambers were measured for several mosquito samples of similar size. To verify the cross‐sectional images acquired by SR‐μCT, complementary paraffin‐sectioning data were compared. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1051–1058, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The mainstreaming of Fair Trade: a macromarketing perspective

Following a brief review of the development and underlying purposes of the Fair Trade movement, the paper introduces perhaps the key issue for the UK Fair Trade movement currently: the mainstreaming of Fair Trade food products. The macromarketing literature, with its focus on sustainable consumption, ecocentrism and a consequent need to change the dominant social paradigm, is used as a framework for analysing the findings of an empirical study of this mainstreaming process involving interviews with and case study material from both Fair Trade organisations and the major supermarkets which have engaged with Fair Trade. The key question that the paper addresses is whether Fair Trade, particularly as it enters mainstream markets, provides an exemplar, from within the existing dominant social paradigm, of the kinds of actions that the macromarketing literature suggests are necessary to enable sustainable consumption. Implications for both the Fair Trade movement and for macromarketing are drawn out.
Testicular Parameters and Sperm Morphology of Chinchilla Rabbit Fed With Different Planes of Soymeal

Se estudiaron los parametros testiculares y la morfologia espermatica de 20 chinchillas sanas, alimentadas con diferentes raciones de soya. Sus edades estuvieron entre 6 y 10 meses con pesos que fluctuaban entre 1,4 y 1,9 kg. Se dio la misma calidad de alimentacion a cada grupo y recibieron 0,5 kg por dia cada una de ellas. El alimento contenia porcentajes graduados de soya y de grano molido. El semen usado en este estudio provino de la parte caudal del epididimo, mientras que las observaciones morfologicas fueron determinadas desde un conteo total de 400 espermatozoides tenidos a traves de tecnica de Wells & Awa. Los resultados del espermiograma mostraron que el color y la consistencia del semen se incremento cuando hubo mayor concentracion de soya en el alimento. El grupo D con 90% de concentracion de soya fue estadisticamente significativo (p<0,05), sobre los valores de los otros grupos. El grupo D tuvo un incremento significativo (p<0,05) sobre los valores de los otros grupos en terminos de porcentaje de vida de los espermios. En el grupo B con 30% de soya en su alimento. La concentracion de semen fue de l,2+l,56xl06/ml y en el grupo D con un 90% de soya fue de 2,0 + 2,67 x 106/ml. Los parametros testiculares tambien mostraron que hubo incremeento en el peso cuando se alimentaron con mayor porcentaje de soya. Concluimos y recomendamos que la soya se parte de la dieta normal de la chinchilla sin ningun efecto adverso sobre el potencial reproductivo de la hembra
Thickness of gingiva in association with age, gender and dental arch location.

BACKGROUND It has been long known that the clinical appearance of healthy marginal periodontium differs from subject to subject and even among different tooth types. Many features are genetically determined; others seem to be influenced by tooth size, shape and position and biological phenomena such as gender, growth and age. AIM The purpose of this study was to determine the thickness of facial gingiva among Indians and its association with age, gender and dental arch. METHODS The study group included 16 males and 16 females with an age range of 16-38 years. Gingival thickness was assessed in the maxillary and mandibular anteriors by transgingival probing. RESULTS It was observed that the younger age group had significantly thicker gingiva than that of the older age group. The gingiva was found to be thinner in females than males and, in the mandibular arch than the maxilla. CONCLUSION In the present study, it was concluded that gingival thickness varies according to age, gender and dental arch.
Patterns of genetic alterations in pancreatic cancer: A pooled analysis

Both K‐ras and p53 gene mutations are found commonly in pancreatic tumors. Analysis of the mutational patterns may provide insight into disease etiology. To further describe the mutational patterns of pancreatic cancer and to assess the evidence to date, we performed a pooled analysis of the published data on genetic mutations associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We included data from studies that evaluated point mutations in the two genes most studied in pancreatic cancer, K‐ras and p53. A majority of the 204 tumors had mutations in at least one gene, with 29% having both K‐ras and p53 mutations, 39% with K‐ras mutation alone, and 16% having p53 mutation alone. Sixteen percent of tumors lacked mutation in either gene. K‐ras mutations were present in high frequencies in all tumor grades (>69%). A statistically significant trend was observed for p53 mutation with higher tumor grade (P = 0.04). For K‐ras, G2 and G3 grades, combined, had notably higher prevalences of mutation than G1 (P = 0.004). CGT mutations in K‐ras codon 12 were marginally associated with lower tumor grade (P for trend = 0.09), and these tumors were somewhat less likely to have a p53 mutation than tumors with other K‐ras mutations (P = 0.06). In the 59 K‐ras+/p53+ tumors, 64% had the same type of mutation (transition or transversion) in both genes, suggesting a common mechanism. The mutational pattern of p53 in pancreatic cancer is similar to bladder cancer, another smoking‐related cancer, but not to lung cancer. Analyses of molecular data, such as that performed here, present new avenues for epidemiologists in the study of the etiology of specific cancers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 33:111–122, 1999 © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental constraints on a minimal and nonminimal violation of the equivalence principle in the oscillations of massive neutrinos.

The negative results of the oscillations experiments are discussed with thehypothesis that the various neutrino types are not universally coupled togravity. In this case the transition probabiltiy between two different flavoreigenstates may be affected by the local gravitational field present in aterrestrial laboratory, and the contribution of gravity can interfere, ingeneral, with the mass contribution to the oscillation process. In particularit is shown that even a strong violation of the equivalence principle could becompatible with the experimental data, provided the gravity-induced energysplitting is balanced by a suitable neutrino mass difference.
A cluster of HIV infection among heterosexual people without apparent risk factors.

Human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) epidemiology in Belgium shows that 66% of all acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients were infected heterosexually. Since 1985, all HIV-seropositive patients in Brussels and Antwerp who have been heterosexually infected have been offered participation in a partner notification program; this article reports the case study of 1 HIV infected male and his 19 identified previous women sexual partners. This report describes the patient's background and the type and frequency of sexual intercourse he had with each partner. The characteristics of each of the sexual partners were also described. An important consideration of this case was that 11 of the tested partners (56%) were HIV seropositive. Several factors were discussed concerning the cause of this high rate of transmission (e.g. high disseminator patient, highly virulent HIV strain, and presence of genital herpes). This study emphasizes the fact that middle class women with low risk sexual practices were infected with AIDS from as little as 1 sexual encounter with this infected individual. To stop a false sense of security among people with few sexual partners, it was advised that a program of partner notification targeted to heterosexuals be implemented along with other public health policies.
Identification of Trichomonas vaginalis α-Actinin as the Most Common Immunogen Recognized by Sera of Women Exposed to the Parasite

A study on presence of antibodies to Trichomonis vaginalis in serum was done on a group of 500 pregnant, asymptomatic Angolan women. A serologic screening, done by ELISA, revealed that 41% of the women had IgG and IgM against the parasite. Analysis of sera by immunoblotting revealed that 94.4% of sera with anti-T. vaginalis IgG class antibodies were reactive against a common immunogenic protein of 115 kDa. The common immunogen was identified as the protozoan a-actinin. All sera recognizing the 115-kDa antigen were reactive against both native and recombinant T. vaginalis a-actinin and nonreactive against human aactinin. The findings presented in this work offer a new tool for epidemiologic studies and open new perspectives for vaccination. Trichomoniasis is the most diffused nonviral sexually transmitted disease worldwide [1], characterized by a severe discomfort with inflammation and abdominal pain [2], although the infection may often be asymptomatic, leading to underestimation of the disease diffusion. During pregnancy, trichomoniasis can lead to adverse pregnancy outcome, manifested with preterm delivery and low birth weight [3]. Trichomonas vaginalis induces humoral, secretory, and cellular immune responses in infected individuals [4]. Several studies, aimed at characterizing prominent immunogens [5], have assessed the high degree of antigenic heterogeneity and phenotypic variability of the parasite. The humoral response seems to be directed mainly against common determinants [4], but most of them have not yet been clearly identified and characterized. Moreover, most of the previous studies had been performed by using a low number of samples, all of which had been obtained from women with an active trichomonad infection. To identify the common immunogens, we performed a serologic study in a highly endemic area for trichomoniasis over
Practical procedures to deal with common support problems in matching estimation

ABSTRACT This paper assesses the performance of common estimators adjusting for differences in covariates, such as matching and regression, when faced with the so-called common support problems. It also shows how different procedures suggested in the literature affect the properties of such estimators. Based on an empirical Monte Carlo simulation design, a lack of common support is found to increase the root-mean-squared error of all investigated parametric and semiparametric estimators. Dropping observations that are off support usually improves their performance, although the magnitude of the improvement depends on the particular method used.
Condom Coercion, Sexual Relationship Power, and Risk for HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Women Attending Urban Family Planning Clinics.

Relationship dynamics play an important role in young women's ability to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and can often impede their ability to negotiate for safe sex. In this paper we identify several forms of condom coercion that place young women at risk for acquiring HIV and STIs. Furthermore, we describe several common sexual gender norms that decrease young women's sexual relationships power (SRP) and foster a social climate supportive of condom coercion. This study drawns attention to the concern that conventional descriptions of physical, sexual, and psychological violence do not fully recognize the prevalence of coercion in the lives of young urban women. Furthermore, coerced unprotected sex is not widely recognized as an important factor in the spread of HIV/STIs. Policies and prevention programs are needed to address this issue, especially among the poor urban women most affected by these epidemics.