Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Narcolepsy in Hong Kong Chinese--a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder of unknown aetiology. Despite the widely reported strong association with HLA DR2 among different ethnic groups and their varying prevalence rates, there has never been any series of laboratory documented narcolepsy in Chinese. AIMS To report the preliminary experience with Chinese narcoleptic patients and their HLA typing. METHODS The records of 342 patients who presented to our sleep laboratory for various sleep problems from 1986 to 1992 were examined. Both clinical and polysomnographic data were analysed. The criteria for a diagnosis of narcolepsy is based on shortened mean sleep latency of less than 5 minutes and presence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in two or more of the five 20-minute naps during multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). RESULTS There were five narcoleptic patients documented resulting in an overall laboratory prevalence of 1.5% or 2.3% of patients presenting with hypersomnia. All patients were HLA DR2 positive. CONCLUSION There is 100% association with HLA DR2 in Hong Kong Chinese narcoleptic patients. Based on the laboratory prevalence, the prevalence rate of narcolepsy among Hong Kong Chinese population is estimated to be within the range of four in 10,000 to one in 100,000.
Ethics Issues of Digital Contents for Pre-Service Primary Teachers: A Gamification Experience for Self-Assessment with Socrative.

The Knowledge Society has brought many possibilities for Open Education practices and, simultaneously, deep ethical challenges related to the use, sharing and reuse of digital content. In fact, even at the university level, many students do not respect the licences of digital resources. As part of the contents of a third-year Educational Technology course for Primary Teacher Training at the University of the Balearic Islands (Spain), students learnt about these ethics issues. During the 2015/16 academic year, 125 students from two groups of this course were involved in a gamification experience, using Socrative in real-time in the classroom, in which they had to answer different questions related to digital ethics. Its aim was not only to find out what the students knew before working directly with the topic – an initial selfassessment – but also to arouse interest and encourage dynamic participation and interaction. At the end of the course, students answered a questionnaire in which they were asked about their perceptions of the use of this kind of educational strategy and their transference in the future. Data were also collected from the same Socrative quiz and the final exam results related to digital ethics. Overall, the assessment from students was highly positive, as well as the scores of the questions related to digital ethics in the final test, and the conclusions of this study highlight both the importance of using more interactive educational strategies in the classroom and the need for training on digital ethics issues in teacher studies.
Activation status of cord blood gamma delta T cells reflects in utero exposure to Plasmodium falciparum antigen.

BACKGROUND Placental Plasmodium falciparum infection modulates neonatal cell-mediated immune responses and is associated with increased susceptibility of infants to malaria. METHODS By flow-cytometric analysis of maternal peripheral and cord blood samples collected at delivery, we measured and compared the activation status and proinflammatory cytokine activity of T cells from women segregated into groups according to malaria status. RESULTS Stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin resulted in the highest percentages of tumor necrosis factor-alpha- and interferon-gamma-positive gamma delta T cells in peripheral blood samples and in corresponding cord blood samples from those treated for malaria during pregnancy. Cord blood samples from this group also contained significantly higher percentages of CD69(+) and CD25(+) gamma delta T cells and CD3(+) T cells, compared with samples from either the group with active placental P. falciparum infection at delivery or the group with no infection. Proinflammatory cytokine activity of cells from the group with placental P. falciparum infection at delivery was either similar to or lower than that of cells from the group with no infection. CONCLUSIONS The findings imply that treatment of P. falciparum malaria during pregnancy leads to enhanced innate immune T cell activation and proinflammatory cytokine responses in both maternal and fetal compartments. Ongoing placental P. falciparum infection, conversely, is associated with an absence of such activity.
Exploring the (behavioural) political economy of nudging

Abstract In recent years, a novel, specifically institutional approach to public regulation has become popular, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world: ‘Libertarian Paternalism’ promises to tackle society's problems in a way that increases welfare without compromising people's freedom and autonomy. The key instrument advanced by this programme is nudges. Although nudges’ ethical quality has been discussed at length, the political economy driving their implementation by self-interested (and possibly boundedly rational) policy makers and bureaucrats has been largely neglected so far. This paper elaborates on how this gap might be filled.
RNA polymerase I transcription obstructs condensin association with 35S rRNA coding regions and can cause contraction of long repeat in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In many eukaryotic cells, the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) is composed of a highly repetitive structure. Previously, we reported the isolation of condensin mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that were defective in carrying long rDNA repeat due to the loss of the replication fork barrier (RFB) protein Fob1p; thus the repeat in the mutants were dramatically contracted. The reintroduction of the FOB1 gene suppressed the contraction of the repeat. It was found that condensin mainly localized at the RFB site in a FOB1‐dependent fashion. Here, we show that RNA polymerase I transcription interferes with condensin association with 35S rRNA coding regions in fob1 cells and causes dramatic contraction of rDNA repeat in the fob1 condensin double mutant. Inactivation of RNA polymerase I suppresses the dramatic contraction of the rDNA repeat in the fob1 condensin double mutant. These results suggest that association of condensin with the RFB site outside the active transcription region avoids the dramatic contraction of the rDNA repeat. We also found that the stimulation of RNA polymerase II transcription within the rDNA repeat decreased condensin association with actively transcribed regions. Thus, a characteristic of condensin is that its association with the chromatin is interfered by transcription.
Alterations in plasma lipid profile patterns in head and neck cancer and oral precancerous conditions.

BACKGROUND The changes in lipid profile have long been associated with cancer because lipids play a key role in maintenance of cell integrity. AIMS The present study evaluated alterations in plasma lipid profile in untreated head and neck cancer patients as well as patients with oral precancerous conditions (OPC) and its association with habit of tobacco consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS This hospital-based case control study included 184 head and neck cancer patients, 153 patients with OPC and 52 controls. Plasma lipids including: (i) Total cholesterol, (ii) LDL cholesterol (LDLC), (iii) HDL cholesterol (HDLC) (iv) VLDL cholesterol (VLDLC) and (v) triglycerides were analysed by spectrophotometric kits. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Student's t-test was performed to compare mean values of the parameters. RESULTS A significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol and HDLC was observed in cancer patients (P=0.008 and P=0.000 respectively) as well as in patients with OPC (P=0.014 and P=0.000, respectively) as compared to the controls. The plasma VLDL and triglycerides levels were significantly lower in cancer patients as compared to the patients with OPC (P=0.04) and controls (P=0.059). The tobacco habituates showed lower plasma lipid levels than the non-habituates. Our data strengthen the evidence of an inverse relationship between plasma lipid levels and head and neck malignancies as well as OPC. CONCLUSION The lower levels of plasma cholesterol and other lipid constituents in patients might be due to their increased utilization by neoplastic cells for new membrane biogenesis. The findings strongly warrant an in-depth study of alterations in plasma lipid profile in head neck cancer patients.
Profit Efficiency in Norwegian Timber Supply: A Stochastic Frontier Function for Active NIPFs

The primary objective of the paper was to analyse how marginalisation affects profit efficiency, a secondary to identify and analyse some other possible inefficiency factors. In order to do this we estimated a translog restricted profit frontier function with an integrated inefficiency module. An unbalanced panel of 2161 observations of active Norwegian forest owners over the years 1991-2004 was used. The more marginal forestry income becomes relative to wage/agricultural income, the less/more profit efficient becomes the forest owner. Efficiency differences are likely to be caused by different information levels. The average forest owner could potentially increase his profit by 7.7% by catching up with the front. We suggest lease contracts as a policy means to ensure efficient timber supply without requiring much attention from the forest owner.
Impact of crop–manure ratios on energy production and fertilizing characteristics of liquid and solid digestate during codigestion

The influence of maize silage–manure ratios on energy output and digestate characteristics was studied using batch experiments. The methane production, nutrients availability (N and P) and heavy metals’ content were followed in multiflask experiments at digestion times 7, 14, 20, 30 and 60 days. In addition, the available nutrient content in the liquid and solid parts of the digestate was evaluated. Aanaerobic digestion favoured the availability of nutrients to plants, after 61 days 20–26% increase in NH 4+ and 0–36% increase in were found in relation to initial concentrations. Digestion time and maize addition increased the availability of . Inorganic nutrients were found to be mainly available in the liquid part of the digestate, i.e. 80–92% NH 4+ and 65–74% . Manure had a positive effect on the methane production rate, whereas maize silage increased the total methane production per unit volatile solids in all treatments.
Increased gut permeability after hemorrhage is associated with upregulation of local and systemic IL-6.

Although intestinal barrier failure after hemorrhage is a well-documented event, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine whether altered intestinal permeability after hemorrhage is associated with upregulation of local and systemic interleukin-6 (IL-6). To study this, rats underwent laparotomy (i.e., trauma induced) and were bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg until 40% of the shed blood volume was returned in the form of Ringer's lactate. The animals were then resuscitated with four times the volume of shed blood with Ringer's lactate over 60 min. At 1.5 h postresuscitation, an in vivo ligated loop of a distal small intestine was formed and the passage of 4-kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran (FD4) from the intestinal lumen into the portal vein and carotid artery blood was analyzed by fluorescence spectrometry. Samples from the portal vein and a carotid artery were collected and plasma IL-6 was assayed. Intraepithelial lymphocytes from a distal small intestine were isolated and cultured in vitro for 24 h with or without anti-rat CD3 monoclonal antibody stimulation. IL-6 activity in freshly isolated cells and its release by cultured lymphocytes were determined. Intestinal perfusion and portal blood flow were determined by radioactive microspheres in another set of parallel experiments. The results indicate that lumen-to-blood passage of FD4 through the wall of the small intestine increased significantly at 1.5 h after hemorrhage and resuscitation and was associated with decreased intestinal perfusion and portal blood flow. Plasma IL-6 levels in the portal vein and carotid artery markedly increased at 1.5 h after hemorrhage and resuscitation. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between plasma IL-6 and FD4 concentrations. Higher IL-6 activity in freshly isolated cells was found in hemorrhaged rats. Increased IL-6 release by cultured lymphocytes was also observed either with or without anti-rat CD3 monoclonal antibody stimulation. Thus, the increased intestinal permeability following trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation appears to be associated with systemic and intestinal IL-6 upregulation.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Bone Graft Enhancement in Sinus Floor Augmentation With Simultaneous Implant Placement: Patient Series Study

The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a source for growth factors in bone grafting is a relatively new and promising technique. Early controlled studies indicate that combining PRP with autologous bone grafts significantly enhances the rate of bone formation and maturation. The study consisted of 105 patients who required sinus augmentation with crestal bone height of less than 5 mm in the posterior maxilla. All patients received a composite bone graft that consisted of 30% to 40% autogenous bone harvested from the lateral wall of the maxilla zygomatic–maxillary buttress and the tuberosity and 60% to 70% xenograft. A total of 50 mL of blood was obtained from each patient before the surgical treatment for preparation of 10 mL of PRP. The graft–PRP mixture was activated by human thrombin. All sinus augmentations were carried out simultaneously with dental implants. At 6 months postoperatively, implants were exposed showing no clinical evidence of crestal bone loss around the implants both clinically and radiographically. All implants were clinically osseointegrated and loaded with fixed porcelain fused to metal prosthesis. The use of PRP in augmenting the severely atrophic posterior maxilla has obvious clinical benefits in terms of reducing the healing period of bone maturation, better graft handling, and accelerated soft tissue healing.
A randomized cross‐over study to compare PUVA and extracorporeal photopheresis in the treatment of plaque stage (T2) mycosis fungoides

PUVA is a well‐established and effective treatment for plaque stage mycosis fungoides (MF) but its use is limited on a long‐term basis because of the risk of cutaneous carcinogenesis. A further disadvantage is that nonexposed areas (sanctuary sites) often develop persistent disease. Therefore it is important to find alternative methods of treatment. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a form of photochemotherapy that involves exposure of white blood cells to UVA with psoralens and can be effective in Sézary syndrome and erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of PUVA and ECP in the treatment of patients with T2 plaque stage (Stage 1B) MF who had a detectable peripheral blood T‐cell clone. The study was of a cross‐over design. Sixteen patients were randomized to receive either PUVA twice weekly for 3 months followed by ECP once monthly for 6 months at relapse, or vice‐versa. Response was assessed by monthly skin scores and peripheral blood T‐cell clonality. Ten patients received PUVA initially and six ECP initially. Eight patients completed the study. Skin scores taken at the completion of each treatment arm in patients who completed the study were 113 units better (confidence interval, 42–184 units) following 3 months PUVA than 6 months ECP (P = 0.002). Peripheral blood T‐cell clones were detectable in all patients post‐treatment. This study indicates that ECP is not effective in the treatment of plaque stage (1B/T2) MF even in patients with molecular evidence of a peripheral blood T‐cell clone. Although PUVA was more effective than ECP, neither treatment modality cleared malignant T‐cells from the peripheral blood.
Genetic analysis of the yellow fever virus NS1 protein: identification of a temperature-sensitive mutation which blocks RNA accumulation

The flavivirus NS1 protein is a highly conserved nonstructural glycoprotein that is capable of eliciting protective immunity. NS1 homodimers are secreted from virus-infected mammalian cells, but the protein is also present at the plasma membrane and in the lumen of intracellular vesicles. Based on these properties, it has been speculated that NS1 may function in virus maturation or release. To gain further insight into NS1 function, we used clustered charged-amino-acid-to-alanine mutagenesis to create 28 clustered substitutions in the NS1 protein of yellow fever virus. To screen for conditional mutations, full-length RNAs containing each mutation were assayed for plaque formation at 32 and 39 degrees C after RNA transfection. We found that 9 mutations were lethal, 18 allowed plaque formation at both temperatures, and 1, ts25, was strongly heat sensitive and was unable to form plaques at 39 degrees C. Lethal mutations clustered in the amino-terminal half of NS1, whereas those leading to impaired replication relative to the parent were distributed throughout the protein. High-multiplicity infections at 39 degrees C demonstrated that ts25 was defective for RNA accumulation, leading to depressed viral protein synthesis and delayed virus production. Although ts25 secreted less NS1 than did the parent, temperature shift experiments failed to demonstrate any temperature-dependent differences in polyprotein processing, NS1 stability and secretion, or release of infectious virus. The ts lesion of ts25 was shown to be due to a single alanine substitution for Arg-299, a residue which is conserved among flaviviruses. These results argue that NS1 plays an essential but as yet undefined role in flavivirus RNA amplification.
Communication and End‐of‐Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit: Patient, Family, and Clinician Outcomes

Even though good communication among clinicians, patients, and family members is identified as the most important factor in end-of-life care in ICUs, it is the least accomplished. According to accumulated evidence, communication about end-of-life decisions in ICUs is difficult and flawed. Poor communication leaves clinicians and family members stressed and dissatisfied, as well as patients' wishes neglected. Conflict and anger both among clinicians and between clinicians and family members also result. Physicians and nurses lack communication skills, an essential element to achieve better outcomes at end of life. There is an emerging evidence base that proactive, multidisciplinary strategies such as formal and informal family meetings, daily team consensus procedures, palliative care team case finding, and ethics consultation improve communication about end-of-life decisions. Evidence suggests that improving end-of-life communication in ICUs can improve the quality of care by resulting in earlier transition to palliative care for patients who ultimately do not survive and by increasing family and clinician satisfaction. Both larger, randomized controlled trials and mixed methods designs are needed in future work. In addition, research to improve clinician communication skills and to assess the effects of organizational and unit context and culture on end-of-life outcomes is essential.
An Analysis of the Costs of Energy Saving and CO2 Mitigation in Rural Households in China

Households may imperfectly implement energy saving measures. This study identifies two factors resulting in imperfect use of energy-saving technology by households. First, households often continue to use old technologies alongside new ones, and, second, technologies have shorter actual lifetimes than their designed lifetimes. We take these factors into account when computing marginal energy conservation cost and marginal CO2 abatement cost using data collected from a survey of rural households in three provinces in China. The results show that most space heating technologies are cost negative and their marginal abatement cost under full implementation ranges from -60 to 15 USD/t-CO2, while the marginal abatement cost of cooking technologies ranges from 12 to 85 USD/t-CO2. The marginal abatement costs of the majority of technologiesincreased after accounting for the two implementation factors. The marginal abatement cost in the imperfect implementation scenario is higher, with a range of -1 to 15 USD/t-CO2 for space heating, and 18 to 165 USD/t-CO2 for cooking. Assuming implementation factors are constant until 2035, annually achievable CO2 mitigation by 2035 is estimated to be 57, 11, and 10 Mt-CO2/y in Hebei, Guizhou, and Guangxi Provinces, respectively.
Is Legal Mobilization for the Birds? Legal Opportunity Structures and Environmental Nongovernmental Organizations in the United Kingdom, France, Finland, and Italy

What explains the likelihood that a nongovernmental organization (NGO) will turn to the courts to pursue their policy goals? This article explores the factors that influence the mobilization of law by environmental NGOs in four Western European countries. It finds that explanations focused on legal opportunity structures are unable to account for the patterns of within-country variation in legal mobilization behavior. The research also shows that bird protection NGOs as well as home-grown national environmental NGOs are generally more likely to turn to law than transnational environmental groups. Although resources and legal opportunities clearly matter to some extent, the author suggests—drawing on sociological institutionalist theory—that explanations of NGO legal mobilization should (a) incorporate an understanding of how groups frame and interpret the idea of “the law” and (b) explore the role of “strategy entrepreneurs” who promote the use of particular tactics within an organization.
Corporate Environmental Strategies in Transition Economies: Survey of the Literature

Twenty-five years ago, an unprecedented economic-political transition began in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Since then, a meaningful literature has examined businesses’ environmental-management efforts during the transition. Over the same period as the transition, many firms in developed countries were integrating environmental components into their business strategies and finding this integration profitable. A growing body of research explores the topic of corporate environmental strategy. Given the rising importance of this topic in developed economies, its seems highly important to reassess the literature on businesses’ environmental-protection efforts during the transition in order to explore corporate environmental strategies in transition economies where the business benefits may be less clear and domestic consumer pressure for better corporate environmental stewardship is limited. Given the lack of clarity, exploration of corporate environmental strategies in transition economies is important. Guided by a simple conceptual framework, this article reviews and assesses the full body of the empirical literature in order to explore the drivers behind corporate environmental strategies in transition economies. The discussion that follows considers a broad array of drivers: internal factors, market pressures, government, and civil society. The empirical evidence suggests a positive role for foreign ownership and foreign customer pressure, and a stronger role for governmental factors: capacity to monitor, greater enforcement, permit issuance, and higher emission charge rates. The review reveals that many key factors, such as investor pressure, domestic customer pressure, and corporate culture, are weakly explored, if not fully ignored, by empirical studies.