Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term economic and health benefits of smoking cessation: myocardial infarction and stroke.

BACKGROUND Most analyses of the economic benefits of smoking cessation consider long-term effects, which are often not of interest to public and private policy makers. These analyses fail to account for the time course of the short-run cost savings from the rapid decline in risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS We estimate the time course of the fall in risk of AMI and stroke after smoking cessation and simulate the impact of a 1% absolute reduction in smoking prevalence on the number of and short-term direct medical costs associated with the prevented AMIs and strokes. In the first year, there would be 924+/-679 (mean+/-SD) fewer hospitalizations for AMI and 538+/-508 for stroke, resulting in an immediate savings of $44+/-26 million. A 7-year program that reduced smoking prevalence by 1% per year would result in a total of 63,840+/-15,521 fewer hospitalizations for AMI and 34,261+/-9133 fewer for stroke, resulting in a total savings of $3.20+/-0.59 billion in costs, and would prevent approximately 13,100 deaths resulting from AMI that occur before people reach the hospital. Creating a new nonsmoker reduces anticipated medical costs associated with AMI and stroke by $47 in the first year and by $853 during the next 7 years (discounting 2.5% per year). CONCLUSIONS Although primary prevention of smoking among teenagers is important, reducing adult smoking pays more immediate dividends, both in terms of health improvements and cost savings.
Altered inhibition in tuberous sclerosis and type IIb cortical dysplasia

The most common neurological symptom of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is early life refractory epilepsy. As previous studies have shown enhanced excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission in TSC and FCD brains, we hypothesized that neurons associated with these lesions may also express altered γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor (GABAAR)‐mediated inhibition.
Copper containing, framed intra-uterine devices for contraception.

BACKGROUND Intrauterine devices (IUD) are safe and effective methods of long term reversible contraception. The design, and copper content as well as placement of the copper on IUDs could affect their effectiveness and side-effect profile. OBJECTIVES We compared different copper IUDs for their effectiveness and side effects. SEARCH STRATEGY Multiple electronic databases were searched with appropriate key words and names of the IUDs known to be in the market. We searched the reference lists of papers identified and contacted trialists when possible. There was no language restriction. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials comparing different IUDs were considered. Trials needed to report on clinical outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data on outcomes and trial characteristics were extracted in duplicate and independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis results are expressed as rate difference (RD) using a fixed-effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI). In the presence of significant heterogeneity a random-effects model was applied. MAIN RESULTS We included 35 trials, resulting in 18 comparisons of 10 different IUDs in approximately 48,000 women. TCu380A was more effective in preventing pregnancy than MLCu375 (RD 1.70%, 95% CI 0.07% to 2.95% after 4 years of use). TCu380A was also more effective than MLCu250, TCu220 and TCu200. There tended to be fewer pregnancies with TCu380S compared to TCu380A after the first year of use, a difference which was statistically significant in the fourth year (RD -1.62%, 95% CI -3.00% to -0.24%). This occurred despite more expulsions with TCu380S (RD 3.50%, 95% CI 0.36% to 6.63% at 4 years). MLCu375 was no more effective than TCu220 at 1 year of use, or MLCu250 and NovaT up to 3 years. Compared to TCu380A or TCu380S, none of the IUDs showed any benefits in terms of bleeding or pain, or any of the other reasons for early discontinuation. None of the trials that reported events at insertion found one IUD easier to insert than another or caused less pain at insertion. There is no evidence that uterine perforation rates vary by type of device. There are minimal randomised data on IUD use in nulliparous women. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS TCu380A or TCu380S appear to be more effective than other IUDs. No IUD showed consistently lower removal rates for bleeding and pain in comparison to other IUDs. There is no evidence that any particular framed copper device is better suited to women who have not had children.
Rejoinder to the Response to "The Scholarly Capital Model"

Crowston (2016) makes several criticisms of “the scholarly capital model”. In sum, he argues that we fail to develop novel measures, continue the worst aspects of the current system in terms of encouraging co-authorships with old boys, reinforce journal list fetishes, and that the SCM still provides ample ways to game the system. In response to his criticisms, we reaffirm that SCM’s aims to address the question “does this scholar possess sufficient scholarly capital to enable our organization to achieve its research goals? ”. We argue that examining the research capital that a scholar brings to the organization is an improvement over the current method of evaluating scholars based on their number of publications in ranked journals. The profile of measures that we propose, while not as novel as altmetrics, encourages widespread co-authorships, de-centers the journal lists, and, thus, eliminates the journal fetishism and ecological fallacy present in the current system.
Estradiol and Progesterone Binding in Uterine Leiomyomata and in Normal Uterine Tissues

To explain the sensitivity of uterine leiomyomata to endogenous and exogenous estrogens, specific cytosol receptor proteins for estradiol-17β and progesterone were found in tissue from uterine leiomyomata and compared with the concentrations of receptors in normal myometrium and endometrium from the same patient. The concentration of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors in leiomyomata (40.5 ± 7.6 fmole/mg cytosol proteins, mean ± SEM) was significantly greater than that found in myometrium (16.5 ± 1.5) and significantly less than that found in endometrium (131 ± 15.1). The concentration in leiomyomata of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors (104.4 ± 41.2 fmole/mg cytosol protein, mean ± SEM) was also greater than that found in myometrium (80.0 ± 29.9) and less than that of endometrium (194.7 ± 5.5); however, individual variation precluded statistical significance. The presence of cytoplasmic receptor proteins in myomatous tissues explains the sensitivity of the leiomyoma to endogenous or exogenous steroids and may provide information useful in the clinical management of this neoplastic disorder.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Besifloxacin, a Novel Fluoroquinolone, in Primary Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of besifloxacin, a novel fluoroquinolone under clinical evaluation for the treatment of ophthalmic infections, in human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiC). Methods: Cytokine expression in primary HCEpiC was stimulated by interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and Luminex technology was used to determine the effect of besifloxacin on IL-1ß-induced cytokine release. Effect of besifloxacin on nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was assessed by measuring inhibitory kappa B protein (IκB) degradation, NFκB nuclear translocation, and MAPK phosphorylation by Western blotting. Moxifloxacin, a marketed fluoroquinolone, was used as the control. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of besifloxacin was also evaluated in rabbits infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results: Stimulation of HCEpiC with IL-1ß increased release of 12 of the 29 cytokines measured. Besifloxacin significantly inhibited IL-1ß-induced cytokine release in a dose-dependent manner, with a comparable (IL-8) or better (G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, MCP-1, MIP-1ß, TGF-α, and TNF-α) efficacy compared to moxifloxacin. A significant inhibitory effect of besifloxacin was observed at 1 or 10 μg/ml. Besifloxacin inhibited IκB degradation, NFκB nuclear translocation, and activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs. Based on improvement of clinical score, besifloxacin showed statistically significant anti-inflammatory effect compared to saline treatment. Conclusions: Besifloxacin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in corneal epithelial cells in vitro, by inhibiting the NFκB and MAPK pathways. Besifloxacin also exhibits anti-inflammatory efficacy in vivo. The anti-inflammatory attribute may enhance its efficacy in the treatment of ocular infections with an inflammatory component and warrants further investigation.
Detection of bacteriuria by luciferase assay of adenosine triphosphate

A selective method for distinguishing bacterial and nonbacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in clinical bacteriological specimens was studied. The method involved incubation of samples with the detergent Triton X-100 and the ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme apyrase. The incubation selectively destroyed ATP in suspensions of various human cells while not affecting the ATP content in microbial cells. ATP remaining in the sample after incubation was extracted in boiling buffer and assayed by the firefly luciferase assay. Application of the method to 469 clinical urine specimens showed that the ATP level after treatment with Triton/apyrase was correlated to bacterial counts and that the sensitivity of the assay was sufficient for the detection of 10(5) bacteria/ml. The ATP levels per bacterial cell remaining in the urine specimen after treatment with Triton/apyrase were close to values observed in laboratory-grown cultures. The specificity and sensitivity of the luciferase assay for the detection of urinary bacteria and its possible use as a bacteriuria screening method are discussed.
YliH (BssR) and YceP (BssS) Regulate Escherichia coli K-12 Biofilm Formation by Influencing Cell Signaling

ABSTRACT We previously discovered that yliH and yceP are induced in Escherichia coli biofilms (D. Ren, L. A. Bedzyk, S. M. Thomas, R. W. Ye, and T. K. Wood, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 64:515-524, 2004). Here, it is shown that deletion of yceP (b1060) and yliH (b0836) increases biofilm formation in continuous-flow chambers with minimal glucose medium by increasing biofilm mass (240- to 290-fold), surface coverage (16- to 31-fold), and mean thickness (2,800-fold). To determine the genetic basis of the increase in biofilm formation, we examined the differential gene expression profile in biofilms for both the mutants relative to the wild-type strain in rich medium with glucose and found that 372 to 882 genes were induced and that 76 to 337 were repressed consistently >2-fold (P ≤ 0.05). The increase in biofilm formation was related to differential expression of genes related to stress response (8 to 64 genes) for both mutants, including rpoS and sdiA. More importantly, 42 to 130 genes related to autoinducer 2 cell signaling were also differentially expressed, including gadAB and flgBCEGHIJLMN, as well as signaling through indole, since 17 to 26 indole-related genes were differentially expressed, including phoAER, gltBD, mtr (encodes protein for indole import), and acrEF (encodes proteins for indole export). Increased biofilm formation in the yliH and yceP mutants in LB supplemented with 0.2% glucose (LB glu) occurred through a reduction in extracellular and intracellular indole concentrations in both mutants (50- to 140-fold), and the addition of indole to the culture restored the wild-type biofilm phenotype; hence, indole represses biofilms. Additionally, both mutants regulate biofilms through quorum sensing, since deletion of either yliH or yceP increased extracellular autoinducer 2 concentrations 50-fold when grown in complex medium (most notably in the stationary phase). Both proteins are involved in motility regulation, since YliH (127 amino acids) and YceP (84 amino acids) repressed motility two to sevenfold (P ≤ 0.05) in LB, and YceP repressed motility sevenfold (P ≤ 0.05) in LB glu. Heightened motility in the yceP mutant occurred, due to increased transcription of the flagella and motility loci, including fliC, motA, and qseB (3- to 86-fold). We propose new names for these two loci: bssR for yliH and bssS for yceP, based on the phrase “regulator of biofilm through signal secretion. ”
Impact of Repeated Exposures on Information Spreading in Social Networks

Clustered structure of social networks provides the chances of repeated exposures to carriers with similar information. It is commonly believed that the impact of repeated exposures on the spreading of information is nontrivial. Does this effect increase the probability that an individual forwards a message in social networks? If so, to what extent does this effect influence people’s decisions on whether or not to spread information? Based on a large-scale microblogging data set, which logs the message spreading processes and users’ forwarding activities, we conduct a data-driven analysis to explore the answer to the above questions. The results show that an overwhelming majority of message samples are more probable to be forwarded under repeated exposures, compared to those under only a single exposure. For those message samples that cover various topics, we observe a relatively fixed, topic-independent multiplier of the willingness of spreading when repeated exposures occur, regardless of the differences in network structure. We believe that this finding reflects average people’s intrinsic psychological gain under repeated stimuli. Hence, it makes sense that the gain is associated with personal response behavior, rather than network structure. Moreover, we find that the gain is robust against the change of message popularity. This finding supports that there exists a relatively fixed gain brought by repeated exposures. Based on the above findings, we propose a parsimonious model to predict the saturated numbers of forwarding activities of messages. Our work could contribute to better understandings of behavioral psychology and social media analytics.
Fluid resuscitation from severe hemorrhagic shock using diaspirin cross‐linked hemoglobin fails to improve pancreatic and renal perfusion

Background: Fluid resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is intended to abolish microcirculatory disorders and to restore adequate tissue oxygenation. Diaspirin cross‐linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) is a hemoglobin‐based oxygen carrier (HBOC) with vasoconstrictive properties. Therefore, fluid resuscitation from severe hemorrhagic shock using DCLHb was expected to improve perfusion pressure and tissue perfusion of kidneys and pancreas.
Dual Oxidase 1 Induced by Th2 Cytokines Promotes STAT6 Phosphorylation via Oxidative Inactivation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

Although hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is better known for its cytotoxic effects, in recent years it has been shown to play a crucial role in eukaryotic signal transduction. In respiratory tract epithelial cells, the dual oxidase (DUOX) proteins 1 and 2 has been identified as the cellular source of H2O2. However, the expression of DUOX1 or DUOX2 has not yet been examined in keratinocytes. In this study, using a DNA microarray, we demonstrated that, of the seven NOX/DUOX family members in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK), IL-4/IL-13 treatment augments the expression of only DUOX1 mRNA. We next confirmed the IL-4/IL-13 induction of DUOX1 in NHEK at the mRNA and protein level using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated that this augmented DUOX1 expression was accompanied by increased H2O2 production, which was significantly suppressed both by diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, and by small interfering RNA against DUOX1. Finally, we demonstrated that the increased expression of DUOX1 in IL-4/IL-13–treated NHEK augments STAT6 phosphorylation via oxidative inactivation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. These results revealed a novel role of IL-4/IL-13–induced DUOX1 expression in making a positive feedback loop for IL-4/IL-13 signaling in keratinocytes.
Effect of chronic “binge cocaine” on basal levels and cocaine‐induced increases of dopamine in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens of C57BL/6J and 129/J mice

In vivo microdialysis was used to measure the effect of chronic “binge” pattern cocaine administration on basal and cocaine‐induced dopamine levels in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens of C57BL/6J and 129/J mice. Mice were implanted with a guide cannula in the caudate putamen or nucleus accumbens and after 4 days recovery, one group received “binge” pattern cocaine administration for 13 days (15 mg/kg × 3, i.p. at hourly intervals) while another group received saline in the same pattern. On the day before microdialysis, dialysis probes were lowered into the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens. The next morning, after baseline dopamine collection, all animals received “binge” cocaine administration. Dialysates were collected every 20 min and dopamine content was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. In the basal condition, the mean level of dopamine in the dialysate from both brain regions of mice pretreated with “binge” pattern cocaine administration was significantly lower than that of the mice pretreated with saline administration. The absolute levels of dopamine achieved following “binge” pattern cocaine challenge were lower in the mice that had received chronic cocaine administration. However, when expressed as percent increase over baseline, the dopamine response to cocaine in the nucleus accumbens was significantly higher in mice that received chronic than in mice that received acute cocaine administration. Chronic cocaine administration led to a lowering of both basal dopamine and the absolute levels of cocaine‐induced increases of dopamine in the two brain regions, but enhanced the percent increases over the baseline in response to cocaine in the nucleus accumbens of both mouse strains. Synapse 50:191–199, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phytochrome from Agrobacterium tumefaciens has unusual spectral properties and reveals an N-terminal chromophore attachment site

Phytochromes are photochromic photoreceptors with a bilin chromophore that are found in plants and bacteria. The soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens contains two genes that code for phytochrome-homologous proteins, termed Agrobacterium phytochrome 1 and 2 (Agp1 and Agp2). To analyze its biochemical and spectral properties, Agp1 was purified from the clone of an E. coli overexpressor. The protein was assembled with the chromophores phycocyanobilin and biliverdin, which is the putative natural chromophore, to photoactive holoprotein species. Like other bacterial phytochromes, Agp1 acts as light-regulated His kinase. The biliverdin adduct of Agp1 represents a previously uncharacterized type of phytochrome photoreceptor, because photoreversion from the far-red absorbing form to the red-absorbing form is very inefficient, a feature that is combined with a rapid dark reversion. Biliverdin bound covalently to the protein; blocking experiments and site-directed mutagenesis identified a Cys at position 20 as the binding site. This particular position is outside the region where plant and some cyanobacterial phytochromes attach their chromophore and thus represents a previously uncharacterized binding site. Sequence comparisons imply that the region around Cys-20 is a ring D binding motif in phytochromes.
Prevalence of Bovine Hydatidosis and Its Economic Significance in Harar Municipality Abattoir, Eastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study of bovine hydatidosis was conducted in Harar Municipality Abattoir from December 2013 to March 2014 to estimate the prevalence and economic impact of hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Harar Municipality Abattoir. Abattoir survey of hydatidosis was conducted on 679 cattle encountered at Harar Municipality Abattoir on three regular weekly visits over the study period. Ante-mortem examination was conducted to note the breed, age, sex and body condition of study animals. Post mortem examination was conducted to note the presence and load of hydatid cysts. A total of 77 (11.3%) cattle were affected with hydatid cyst. Females were affected more frequently than males (P<0.05). However, no such association was observed in prevalence of hydatid cysts and age, breed and body condition of study animals. Fifty five (8.1%), 52 (7.6%), 3 (0.4%) and 26 (6.77%) study animals had hydatid cysts in their lungs, livers, spleen and both lung and liver, respectively. Majority of hydatid cysts evaluated in this study were of medium 28 (38.9%) and small 27 (37.5%) size with the remaining 17 (23.6%) being of large size. Meanwhile, 37 (51.4%) of the hydatid cysts were found to be fertile, 19 (26.4%) were sterile and 16 (22.2%) were calcified. The annual economic loss due organ condemnation associated to bovine hydatidosis at the abattoir was estimated 96, 315.00 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (4,815.75 US Dollar; 1USD= 20.00 ETB). It was concluded that, hydatidosis was one of the most important parasitic diseases in cattle slaughtered at Harar municipality abattoir and thus it deserve due attention to safeguard public health.
Mechanisms underlying induction of allergic sensitization by Pru p 3

Recently, the nature of the lipid‐ligand of Pru p 3, one of the most common plant food allergens in southern Europe, has been identified as a derivative of the alkaloid camptothecin bound to phytosphingosine. However, the origin of its immunological activity is still unknown.
Differential Sensitivities of Mammalian Neuronal and Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors to General Anesthetics

Background: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are members of a superfamily of fast neurotransmitter‐gated receptor channels that includes the gamma‐aminobutyric acidA (GA‐BAA), glycine and serotonin type 3 (5‐HT3) receptors. Most previous work on the interactions of general anesthetics with nAChRs has involved the muscle‐type receptor. The authors investigate the effects of general anesthetics on defined mammalian neuronal and muscle nAChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Methods: Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) or messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding for various neuronal or muscle nAChR subunits was injected into Xenopus oocytes, and the resulting ACh‐activated currents were studied using the two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique. The effects of halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and propofol on the peak acetylcholine‐induced currents were investigated, and concentration‐response curves were constructed. Results: The neuronal nAChRs were found to be much more sensitive to general anesthetics than were the muscle nAChRs, with IC50 concentrations being 10‐ to 35‐fold less for the neuronal receptors. For the inhalational general anesthetics, the IC50 concentrations were considerably less than the free aqueous concentrations that cause general anesthesia in mammals. In addition, qualitative (dependence on acetylcholine concentration) and quantitative (steepness of concentration‐response curves) differences in the anesthetic interactions between the neuronal and muscle nAChRs suggest that different mechanisms of inhibition may be involved. Conclusions: Although there is considerable uncertainty about the physiologic roles that neuronal nAChRs play in the central nervous system, their extraordinary sensitivity to general anesthetics, particularly the inhalational agents, suggests they may mediate some of the effects of general anesthetics at surgical, or even subanesthetic, concentrations.