Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological dynamics of nephropathia epidemica in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, during the period of 1997–2013

SUMMARY This report summarizes epidemiological data on nephropathia epidemica (NE) in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. NE cases identified in the period 1997–2013 were investigated in parallel with the hantavirus antigen prevalence in small rodents in the study area. A total of 13 930 NE cases were documented in all but one district of Tatarstan, with most cases located in the central and southeastern districts. The NE annual incidence rate exhibited a cyclical pattern, with the highest numbers of cases being registered once in every 3–5 years. The numbers of NE cases rose gradually from July to November, with the highest morbidity in adult males. The highest annual disease incidence rate, 64·4 cases/100 000 population, was observed in 1997, with a total of 2431 NE cases registered. NE cases were mostly associated with visiting forests and agricultural activities. The analysis revealed that the bank vole Myodes glareolus not only comprises the majority of the small rodent communities in the region, but also consistently displays the highest hantavirus prevalence compared to other small rodent species.
Genetic Analysis between and within Three Egyptian Water Buffalo Populations Using RAPD-PCR

The water buffalo represents an important part of animal production in Egypt It is economically a very important farm animal, genetic improvement of these animals is of economic importance, especially in reproductive performance and quantity of meat and milk. Genetic similarity and polymorphisms among the three Egyptian water buffalo populations (El-Delta, Upper and Lower Egypt) were studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Out of fifteen primers screened using DNA samples of the three populations, thirteen primers generated reproducible and distinct to amplify DNA fragments in these three populations. RAPD patterns with a level of polymorphism were detected among populations. The results showed that a total of 126 loci were amplified and 106 polymorphic bands (84.13%) were produced. The genetic diversity had the highest value (0.2654) in El- Delta and the lowest value (0.2590) in Upper Egypt. This result confirms the closer between the three Egyptian population buffaloes. The dendrogram of genetic relationship based on overall RAPD primers confirmed the movement of Egyptian buffaloes between El-Delta and Upper, Lower Egypt. The results confirms that the Egyptian buffaloes are belongs to one breed. (Journal of American Science 2010;6(6):217-226). (ISSN: 1545-1003).
Can time-based decay explain temporal distinctiveness effects in task switching?

In task switching, extending the response–cue interval (RCI) reduces the switch cost—the detriment to performance when switching compared to repeating tasks. This reduction has been used as evidence for the existence of task-set decay processes. Recently, this has been challenged by the observation of sequential dependencies on the RCI effect: switch cost is only reduced at longer RCIs when the previous trial had a short RCI. This trial-wise variation of RCI is thought to affect the temporal distinctiveness (TD) of a previous task's episodic trace, affecting the probability of its automatic retrieval on the current trial; importantly, TD is thought to be independent of the current trial's RCI. The present study highlights a dependency between the current RCI and TD, and demonstrates that a decay model can reproduce some patterns of data attributed to TD. Further, the decay account makes a strong prediction when TD is held constant: repetition response times should slow as the RCI increases, and switch response times should be facilitated. This prediction was tested via re-analysis of extant data and three experiments. The re-analysis provided some evidence for the decay account, but Experiments 1 and 2 report slowing for task repetition and switch trials, which cannot be explained by a task-set decay process. Experiment 3, which utilized tasks requiring perceptual judgements, showed small evidence for decay. We conclude that the data are largely consistent with the TD account and that the evidence for decay of higher-level task-sets is not convincing.
Omental Milky Spots in Peritoneal Pathophysiology (Spots before your Eyes)

I this issue of Peritoneal Dialysis International, Di Paolo et al. present a personal view on the biology of omental milky spots (MS) and their potential role in the peritoneal cavity of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients (1). The function of MS, and in particular their involvement in PD pathophysiology, has been subjected to exciting and contradictory debate for many years (2–7). In ontogeny, MS appear in week 26 in fetal life, are well developed at birth, and reach a maximum around the first year of life, followed by an age-related decline in their numbers (8). On the one hand, MS have been suggested to be a very reactive perivascular tissue involved in several aspects of Band T-cell function and regarded as omental-associated lymphoid tissue (2,3). On the other hand, MS were suggested to function as an “intestinal thymus” (4). In contrast, we and others (5–7) have suggested that MS play an important role in the local immune response and should not be classified as lymphoid organs. In this respect immunophenotyping and precursor cell kinetic studies have suggested MS play a role in the origin of peritoneal macrophages in rats (9), and that macrophages are the predominant cell type associated with these structures (10), leading to the suggestion that MS are involved in peritoneal antibacterial defense (11,12). In man, MS have also been shown to contain macrophages, but also Band T-cells (13). In our studies, however, we found macrophages and B-lymphocytes (14), but could not identify true zones of B-cell localization (absence of follicular dendritic cells) or T-cell areas (absence of interdigitating cells). We concluded that human MS should not, therefore, be classified as true secondary lymphoid tissue, but rather as primary reactive structures. This is supported by the fact that the number of human MS increases after stimulation [for instance in appendicitis (13)] and rules out MS as being lymphoid organs, which by definition remain unchanged under inflammatory conditions.
Novel strategies and therapeutics for the treatment of prostate carcinoma

An increased understanding of the biology of prostate carcinoma has led to the clinical evaluation of mechanism‐based and targeted therapies. Modulating the immune system has been pursued through the use of both active and passive immunity as well as the ex vivo genetic manipulation of effector cells. A variety of gene therapies has been proposed not only to replace defective genes but to localize activation of prodrugs. Angiogenesis and tumor invasion also have been targeted, as have cell cycling and signal transduction. Strategies promoting apoptosis and augmenting differentiation are also under study.
The role of integrative capabilities in involving suppliers in New Product Development: a knowledge integration perspective

Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) aims to facilitate New Product Development (NPD) success and create competitive advantage for the purchasing firm. Unfortunately, empirical results are inconsistent in verifying the linkage between ESI and NPD success. To solve this paradox, this paper views ESI as a knowledge integration process and examines the role of the purchasing firm's integrative capabilities in the process. Competing models are proposed and tested. The results demonstrate that NPD success depends not only on the supplier's knowledge and expertise, but also on the purchasing firm's integrative capabilities to absorb knowledge and increase efficiency of knowledge integration.
Dermal granulomatous hypersensitivity in Q fever: comparative studies of the granulomatous potential of whole cells of Coxiella burnetii phase I and subfractions

Dermal granulomatous reactivity to Q fever antigens in guinea pigs has been described as a model for vaccine reactions seen in previously sensitized humans. This model has now been applied to study the ability of subfractions of Coxiella burnetii to produce granulomas. Q fever organisms in phase I, trichloroacetic acid-soluble and -insoluble fractions, and the extract and residue of chloroform-methanol extraction were tested for their relative ability to elicit and immunize for dermal granulomatous reactions and specific lymphocyte proliferative responses in guinea pigs. The results suggest that a determinant(s) causing granulomas can be removed by chloroform-methanol extraction of phase I whole cells. The chloroform-methanol residue elicited strong delayed-type hypersensitivity without subsequent granuloma formation. The chloroform-methanol residue appears to possess a determinant(s) for lymphocyte stimulation equivalent to that of whole phase I organisms.
Resistance mutations in HIV-infected patients experiencing early failure with nelfinavir-containing triple combinations.

BACKGROUND The purpose of our study was to assess the presence of nelfinavir (NFV)-associated resistance mutations at the time of early virological failure in subjects receiving NFV as part of a first protease inhibitor (PI)-based triple regimen. MATERIAL/METHODS Subjects failing their first PI-based NFV-containing triple regimen were identified in six Spanish hospitals. HIV genotyping was carried out in plasma samples collected at the time of the first viral rebound. RESULTS Upon initiation of NFV-based therapy, 19 of the 30 subjects (63%) were naïve; 11 (37%) had been exposed to nucleoside analogues. Median HIV-RNA at the time of viral rebound was 4, 180 copies/ml. PCR-amplified products were obtained in 22 subjects (73%). These products were sequenced and primary PI resistance mutations were recognized in 6 patients (27%). All six individuals harbored the D30N mutation, and none presented the L90M mutation. Other PI resistance mutations were present in 5 subjects (at codons 36, 63, 71, 77, 82 and/or 88). Secondary PI resistance mutations were present in another 9 subjects. By contrast, mutations conferring resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors were present in 50% of the patients, and the M184V substitution was the most frequently seen. CONCLUSIONS Nearly 75% of patients failing their first PI-based triple regimen containing NFV do not harbor PI resistance mutations. The D30N substitution, rather than L90M, is the most frequently recognized, which does not challenge the efficacy of further rescue interventions with other PIs. This observation supports the use of nelfinavir as first protease inhibitor.
Effects of the clozapine national registry system on incidence of deaths related to agranulocytosis.

OBJECTIVE Clozapine is the only medication distributed in the U.S. through a national patient registry system that provides the medication only if results of patients' weekly blood tests show no evidence of significant white blood cell suppression, an effect that can be fatal if it progresses to advanced agranulocytosis. This study assessed morbidity and mortality related to agranulocytosis during the first five years of the national registry system. METHODS Data from the national registry database maintained by the U.S. manufacturer of clozapine was used to determine the level of treating systems' adherence to the mandated program of weekly white blood cell counts, number of instances in which clozapine treatment was denied because of prior determination of white blood cell suppression, and number of cases of agranulocytosis and deaths related to agranulocytosis among treated patients from February 1990, when clozapine was commercially introduced in the U.S., through December 1994. The actual numbers of cases of agranulocytosis and related deaths were compared with expected outcomes based on clinical research done before the drug became available commercially. RESULTS Approximately 97 percent of treating systems had a high overall level of adherence to the registry protocol. In 28 instances, the pretreatment authorization requirement resulted in denial of clozapine; after additional data were considered, 15 of the patients were cleared for treatment. The actual incidences of 382 cases of agranulocytosis and 12 related deaths were lower than the expected 995 cases and 149 deaths. CONCLUSIONS The clozapine national registry system fostered early detection of white blood cell suppression, prevented retreatment with clozapine of patients who had previously developed white blood cell suppression, and brought about lower than expected rates of agranulocytosis and associated deaths.
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF RENAL PROTEIN SELECTIVITY IN PREGNANCY

Renal protein selectivity has been examined as a diagnostic and prognostic index in pregnancy. No correlation was found between selectivity and renal function or fetal prognosis. Differences were noted between selectivity in patients with preeclampsia and those with essential hypertension in pregnancy, but the degree of overlap was too great to suggest that selectivity would be a clinical measurement of use as a guide to the management of pregnancy complicated by hypertension.
Characterization of virulence plasmids and plasmid-associated outer membrane proteins in Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, and Escherichia coli

The 140-megadalton plasmids of Shigella flexneri serotypes 1, 3, and 5, in addition to the 120-megadalton plasmid of Shigella sonnei, are associated with virulence. The present study showed that a 140-megadalton plasmid is also associated with virulence in Escherichia coli. When these plasmids were cleaved with EcoRI or BamHI restriction endonucleases, considerable homology was evident in plasmids from S. sonnei strains, whereas only a few common fragments were observed among the S. flexneri and enteroinvasive E. coli plasmids. Nitrocellulose filter hybridization demonstrated that, despite variations in restriction sites, all these plasmids shared a considerable complement of homologous sequences. Minicell-producing strains were obtained by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. Transmission electron microscopy of infected HeLa cells showed that minicells from invasive strains retained the invasive phenotype. Sixteen polypeptides were labeled when S. flexneri 5 minicells were incubated with [35S]methionine. Fourteen of these plasmid-coded polypeptides were associated with the outer membrane in invasive strains of S. flexneri 5, and nine polypeptides of similar molecular weight were labeled in the outer membrane of invasive strains of S. flexneri 3, S. sonnei, and E. coli. Seven of the S. flexneri 5 polypeptides were not labeled in a noninvasive strain which had sustained a large deletion in the virulence-associated plasmid, and none were labeled in minicells which no longer harbored this plasmid.
Can ‘abnormally’ fertilized zygotes give rise to viable embryos?

Conventional practice in in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection is to select the best quality embryos based on their morphology and cleavage status from a cohort of fertilized oocytes in which two pronuclei were observed at the time they were checked for fertilization. However, in a small proportion of cycles, the selection is limited to embryos that appeared to be either unfertilized (displaying zero pronuclei) or abnormally fertilized (displaying one or three pronuclei) at the time they were checked for fertilization. There is a lack of consensus on whether such embryos should be transferred to the uterus. Cytogenetic analysis of embryos from oocytes with one pronucleus has shown a proportion is diploid. Transfer of such embryos has resulted in healthy births. Limited cytogenetic analysis of oocytes that divide despite the absence of pronuclei at fertilization check indicates that a proportion also have a normal cytogenetic constitution. Cytogenetic analysis of embryos from oocytes with three pronuclei has shown high rates of triploidy and chaotic cell divisions. Subsequent foetuses have extremely unfavourable outcomes. Here, we review the published literature on the cytogenetic analysis of ‘unfertilized’ and ‘abnormally fertilized’ embryos and discuss possible pathways which lead to their formation. The limited evidence indicates that oocytes with one pronucleus and oocytes that show normal onward division despite the absence of pronuclei may be considered for replacement in certain circumstances.
Misuse of prophylactic antibiotics and prevalence of postoperative wound infection in obstetrics and gynecology department in a Sudanese hospital

Purpose: This study was conducted to audit prophylactic antibiotic use and to quantify the rate of wound infection. Methods: Across-sectional prospective study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan during March 1st to 31st October 2010. All Patients (aged >18 years) were included. Results: Overall 725 patients were included. The performed surgical procedures were 751; of these 578 (76.9%) were Caesarean sections. Overall rate of wound infection was 7.8%. The rate of wound infection among patients operated on for caesarean section and abdominal hysterectomy was 8.3%, and 9.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2 OR 2.1, 95% CI (1.1 - 4.0), (P = 0.019) was the major independent risk factor for occurrence of wound infection. Evaluation of prescriptions’ parameters against the stated criteria showed that 113 (15.8%) patients were given antibiotics with adequate spectrum of activity, 611 (85.3%) given sub-dose/s, 83 (11.6%) received the first preoperative dose/s in a proper time window, and 716 (100%) had prophylaxis for extended duration. Overall conformity to the stated criteria for the evaluation of prescription’s parameters was not achieved in all prescriptions. Conclusions: In this setting, antibiotics were irrationally used and wound infection rate was high, and the situation calls for multiple interventions to correct the situation, through the activation of the infection control committee in the hospital and development of antimicrobial subcommittee to develop policies for the use and auditing of prophylactic antibiotics.
Individual differences in the stress-response-dampening effect on alcohol: a dose-response study.

Recent evidence suggests that alcohol consumption can lead to attenuated stress response, but parameters such as dose and personality traits appear to influence the magnitude of alcohol's effects. To better characterize these relations, male social drinkers were asigned to either a placebo, a moderate, or a high dose of alcohol and then had heart rate and a self-report measure of anxiety taken during a stressful social interaction. Consistent with previous research, alcohol dampened both heart rate and, to a lesser extent, anxiety responses to the stressor. Because the reduced heart rate responsivity was obtained in the absence of increased basal heart rate, cardiovascular stress response dampening (SRD) does not appear to be an artifact of an initial values effect. Although there was some evidence that individuals with prealcoholic personality traits were especially sensitive to the SRD effect of alcohol, this effect did not appear to be strong or robust across alternative measures of prealcoholic traits. There was no evidence that self-consciousness or expectancies for tension-reducing alcohol effects were associated with stress responsivity in subjects consuming alcohol. Alcohol is generally considered to be effective in reducing psychological stress. However, despite much empirical investigation, the effect of alcohol on stress is neither well characterized nor well understood (Pihl & Smith, 1983). A number of both correlational and experimental studies indicate that alcohol can reduce stress and is consumed for its stress-reducing properties (predictions generated from the tension reduction hypothesis; Pihl & Smith, 1983), but other studies yield results that contradict these findings. Although the general literature on alcohol and stress appears quite muddled, scrutiny of the literature reveals several areas of consistency (Sher, in press). One of these areas of consistency concerns the attenuating effect of a relatively large (i.e., around 1 g ethanol/kg body weight) dose of ethanol on the cardiovascular responses to a discrete stressor (Cummings & Marlatt, 1983; Levenson, Sher, Grossman, Newman, & Newlin, 1980; Sher & Levenson, 1982; Wilson, Abrams, & Lipscomb, 1980; Zeichner, Feuerstein, Swartzman, & Reznick, 1983'). Although the breadth and extent of this stressresponse-dampening (SRD) effect of alcohol is currently uncertain, each of these recent studies has convincingly demonstrated significant dampening of the heart response to a discrete stressor manipulation. These findings are important in that they suggest that alcohol may be especially tension reducing (and consequently
He hears, she hears: Are there sex differences in auditory processing?

Songbirds learn individually unique songs through vocal imitation and use them in courtship and territorial displays. Previous work has identified a forebrain auditory area, the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), that appears specialized for discriminating and remembering conspecific vocalizations. In zebra finches (ZFs), only males produce learned vocalizations, but both sexes process these and other signals. This study assessed sex differences in auditory processing by recording extracellular multiunit activity at multiple sites within NCM. Juvenile female ZFs (n = 46) were reared in individual isolation and artificially tutored with song. In adulthood, songs were played back to assess auditory responses, stimulus‐specific adaptation, neural bias for conspecific song, and memory for the tutor's song, as well as recently heard songs. In a subset of females (n = 36), estradiol (E2) levels were manipulated to test the contribution of E2, known to be synthesized in the brain, to auditory responses. Untreated females (n = 10) showed significant differences in response magnitude and stimulus‐specific adaptation compared to males reared in the same paradigm (n = 9). In hormone‐manipulated females, E2 augmentation facilitated the memory for recently heard songs in adulthood, but neither E2 augmentation (n = 15) nor E2 synthesis blockade (n = 9) affected tutor song memory or the neural bias for conspecific song. The results demonstrate subtle sex differences in processing communication signals, and show that E2 levels in female songbirds can affect the memory for songs of potential suitors, thus contributing to the process of mate selection. The results also have potential relevance to clinical interventions that manipulate E2 in human patients. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 302–314, 2015