Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity, safety and reactogenicity of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) when co-administered with the DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine in Indian infants: a single-blind, randomized, controlled study

In India, pneumococcal diseases are major causes of child mortality, and effective vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae are needed. This single-blind, randomized study assessed the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) co-administered with DTPw-HBV/Hib in Indian infants as 3-dose primary vaccination course. A total of 360 infants were randomized (2:1) to receive either PHiD-CV co-administered with DTPw-HBV/Hib (PHiD-CV group) or a Hib vaccine co-administered with DTPw-HBV (control group) at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. For each vaccine pneumococcal serotype, the percentage of infants in the PHiD-CV group with antibody concentrations ≥ 0.2 µg/mL one month after the third vaccine dose was at least 98.3%, except for serotypes 6B (77.7%) and 23F (89.5%), and opsonophagocytic activity titers ≥ 8 were measured in at least 95.7% of infants, except for serotypes 1 (90.5%) and 6B (84.5%). In addition, all the infants in the PHiD-CV group were seroprotected against diphtheria, tetanus, Hib, and hepatitis B or seropositive for antibodies against pertussis and NTHi protein D (except one infant). Incidences of solicited local and general symptoms were comparable between groups, except for fever (axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C), which seemed to occur more frequently in the PHiD-CV group. In conclusion, PHiD-CV was shown to be immunogenic and well-tolerated when co-administered with DTPw-HBV/Hib in Indian infants. This study has been registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov NCT00814710.
Flow cytometric sorting of sperm: Influence on fertilization and embryo/fetal development in the rabbit

Viable, intact rabbit sperm, prepared, processed, and flow cytometrically sorted, were used in this study to determine the influence of flow sorting on fertilization and embryo development. In experiment I, flow‐sorted or control (unstained and unsorted) sperm were surgically inseminated into the uterine horn of hormonally primed does (10 to 12 does per time point). At 42 hr postsurgical insemination, flushed embryos were assessed for development. Fetal development was determined at day 7, day 14, and day 21 post‐surgical insemination. Embryos resulting from does surgically inseminated with control sperm at 42 hr post‐insemination were observed to be at the early morula stage of development (>16 cell), whereas embryos from does inseminated with flow sorted sperm were at the 8‐ to 16‐cell stage. No difference was observed between treatments at day 7, 14, or 21, however, there was a significant decrease in fetus number per doe inseminated with flow‐sorted sperm over time. In experiment II, mature oocytes were flushed from the oviducts of superovulated does and coincubated in vitro (IVF) with flow‐sorted or control rabbit sperm. Oocytes observed at 6 hr post‐coincubation exhibited swollen sperm heads in the cytoplasm, demonstrating that fertilization had occurred (2 PN + T). There was a higher percentage of fertilized oocytes by 8 hr post‐coincubation for both control (31%) and flow‐sorted sperm (31%) when used for IVF. By 10 and 12 hr post‐coincubation, little difference was observed in the number of fertilized oocytes between sperm treatments (52% and 66% for control vs. 57 and 54% for flow‐sorted, respectively). These studies demonstrate that flow‐sorted sperm are capable of fertilizing mature oocytes under in vitro conditions. In addition they show that flow sorting may not negatively influence fertilization events, but likely interferes during early embryonic and fetal development. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Pathophysiology of Tuberculosis

When many infectious units of 1-3 bacilli are inhaled, a phenotypically hardy bacillus is likely to be among them. In addition, the alveolar macrophages apparently vary in their capacity to destroy bacilli [1]. Staining for acid-fast bacilli is very useful for demonstrating M. tuberculo‐ sis (A). Fig. 1 reveals histologic manifestation of tuberculosis over the time course. Histologi‐ cally, tuberculosis displays exudative inflammation (B), proliferative inflammation (D) and productive inflammation (C) depending on the time course. Using animal experiments and an inhalation exposure system, the pathologic condition of the infected animals was followed up for one year. Exudative inflammation was observed for the first 10 days. Thereafter, granulo‐ mas, which corresponded to foci of proliferative inflammation, were formed. Cavity formation was not recognized in animal tuberculosis, except for rabbits. Using rabbit models, Dr. Arthur Dannenberg described the pathology of tuberculosis in detail [2, 3]. There are five stages: onset, symbiosis, early stages of caseous necrosis, interplay of cell-mediated immunity and tissue damaging delayed-type hypersensitivity, and liquefaction and cavity formation. In stage 1, tubercle bacilli are usually destroyed or inhibited by the mature resident alveolar macrophages that ingest them. If bacilli are not destroyed, they grow and eventually destroy the alveolar macrophages. In stage 2, bacilli grow logarithmically within the immature nonactivated macrophages. These macrophages enter a tubercle from the bloodstream. This stage is termed symbiosis because bacilli multiply locally without apparent damage to the host, and macro‐ phages accumulate and divide. In stage 3, the stage at which caseous necrosis first occurs, the number of viable bacilli becomes stationary because their growth is inhibited by the immune response to tuberculin-like antigens released from bacilli. Stage 4 is the stage that usually determines whether the disease becomes clinically apparent. Cell-mediated immunity plays a major role in this situation. The cytotoxic delayedtype hypersensitivity immune response
Podocyte Loss in Aging OVE26 Diabetic Mice

Recent studies show that podocyte nuclear density (NV) and numbers of renal podocytes per glomerulus (N) are altered in experimental and spontaneous diabetes mellitus. NV and N are generally reduced, and it has been hypothesized that these morphological changes may relate to the loss of glomerular permselectivity in diabetic nephropathy (DN). In the current study, OVE26 transgenic diabetic mice and age‐matched (FVB) controls (60, 150, or 450 days) were fixed by vascular perfusion and renal cortical tissues were prepared for morphometric analyses. ImageJ software and point counting analyses were carried out on light and transmission electron micrographs to determine glomerular volume (VG), NV, and N. As expected, mean VG in OVE26 mice increased substantially (∼134%) over the course of the study and was significantly increased over FVB mice at all ages. At 60 days, NV and N were not statistically distinguishable in OVE26 and control mice, while at 150 days, NV was significantly reduced in diabetics but not N. In 450‐day‐old OVE26 animals, however, NV and N were both significantly decreased (∼231% and ∼99%, respectively) relative to age‐matched FVB mice. These data suggest that in the OVE26 model of diabetes, significant podocyte loss occurs relatively late in the course of the disease. Moreover, it seems possible that these podocytic changes could play a role in sustaining the increased permeability of the blood–urine barrier in the later stages of diabetic renal decompensation. Anat Rec, 291:114–121, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluating the effectiveness of strategic planning within the Middle Eastern public sector

Strategic planning is intended to help governments, communities and organisations deal with and adapt to their changing internal and external circumstances. It can help clarify and resolve the most important pressing issues they face. It enables them to build on strengths, take advantage of opportunities, and become much more effective in what seems to be a more hostile world. The aim of this study is to discover the nature and the extent of the strategic planning formation process within Middle Eastern public sector organisations, particularly in Dubai. This includes an assessment of the formality of the strategic planning formation process, determining the influence of the external contextual and internal organisational barriers on the formality of the planning process, and evaluating the quality of the strategic plan document produced. Furthermore, the research aims to evaluate the influence of organisational characteristics on the planning process, as well as the determinants of the planning horizon.
Glandular function in Sjögren syndrome: assessment with dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and tracer kinetic modeling--initial experience.

PURPOSE To prospectively use dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and a tracer kinetic model to compare parotid gland microvascular characteristics in patients who have Sjögren syndrome (SS) with those in healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The local research ethics committee approved the study, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Twenty-one patients (19 women, two men; age range, 31-73 years) with a diagnosis of SS and 11 healthy volunteers (10 women, one man; age range, 41-68 years) underwent three-dimensional T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the parotid gland at 1.5 T. A voxel-wise tracer kinetic model and a model-free analysis were applied to the dynamic MR data. Parameter medians and standard deviations were computed to summarize gland microvascular characteristics and gland heterogeneity, respectively. Differences were investigated by using multivariate analysis of variance, t, or U tests. Further investigation was performed by using linear discriminant and receiver operating characteristic analyses. RESULTS Compared with the healthy volunteers, the patients with SS had highly significant elevations (P << .001) in the model-free parameter initial area under the curve and in tracer kinetic model parameters, including transcapillary contrast agent transfer constant (P < .001) and extracellular extravascular volume (P < .001). Gland heterogeneity was significantly greater (P < .001) in the patients with SS. Parameter medians and standard deviations enabled excellent differentiation (areas under receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.96 and 1.00, respectively) between the patients with SS and the healthy volunteers. CONCLUSION Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging has the potential to be used in clinical settings to quantify microvascular function in SS and to differentiate between patients with and those without SS.
Acute kidney injury and increasing nephrotoxic-medication exposure in noncritically-ill children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized children results in increased patient morbidity and mortality. Nephrotoxic-medication exposure is a common cause of AKI. Currently, no data exist to quantify the risks of developing AKI for various nephrotoxic medications in children. The primary aim of the current study is to assess for a potential association between nephrotoxic medications and the risk of developing AKI in hospitalized noncritically ill children with no pre-existing renal insufficiency. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We performed a retrospective case-control study in pediatric hospitalized noncritically ill patients aged 1 day to 18 years. The cases were patients who developed AKI, as defined by the pediatric modified RIFLE (pRIFLE) criteria; patients without AKI served as controls and were matched by age category, gender, and disease state. RESULTS 561/1660 (33.8%) patients identified for inclusion had AKI (441 category "R," 117 category "I," three category "F"); 357 cases were matched with 357 controls. Patients with AKI had longer length of hospital stay and increased hospital costs. Patients with AKI had exposure to more nephrotoxic medications for a longer period of time compared with controls. Odds of exposure for at least one nephrotoxic medication was significant for development of AKI. Exposure to more nephrotoxic medications was associated with an increased risk of AKI. CONCLUSIONS Increasing exposure to three or more nephrotoxic medications places pediatric patients at greater risk of acute kidney injury with resultant increased hospital costs and patient morbidity.
A modified intramedullary nail interlocking design yields improved stability for fatigue cycling in a canine femur fracture model

Intramedullary nailing has evolved to become the standard of care for most diaphyseal femoral and tibial fractures, as well as an expanding number of metaphyseal fractures. Owing to the unstable nature of some fractures, the intramedullary device may be subjected to significant stresses owing to a lack of solid cortical contact after nailing. In such cases, excessive interfragmentary motion (due to construct toggle) has been shown to occur. Such motion increases the likelihood of a non- or delayed-union. In the current study, two versions of a modified, angle stable interlocking design were subjected to fatigue testing in a segmental defect fracture model representing a canine femur. As a control, a third group of constructs were stabilized with a traditional nail that allowed a small amount of toggle. All constructs were subjected to 50,000 fatigue cycles representing 12 weeks of cage activity at physiologic levels of combined axial-torsional loading. Torsional testing pre- and post-fatigue revealed 4.6 ± 1.3° of toggle in the traditional nail and no toggle with the angle stable nail designs. The stable nails were also significantly stiffer in axial compression and torsion before and after cycling. These data indicate that the enhanced stability of the modified interlocking designs can be maintained throughout fatigue cycling in a challenging fracture model.
Spot Pricing When Lagrange Multipliers Are Not Unique

Classical spot pricing theory is based on multipliers of the primal problem of an optimal market dispatch, i.e., the solution of the dual problem. However, the dual problem of market dispatch may yield multiple solutions. In these circumstances, spot pricing or any standard pricing practice based on multipliers cannot generate a unique clearing price. Although such situations are rare, they can cause significant uncertainties and complexities in market dispatch. In practice, this situation is solved through simple empirical methods, which may cause additional operations or biased allocation. Based on a strict extension of the principles of spot pricing and surplus allocation, we propose a new pricing methodology that can yield unique, impartial, and robust solution. The new method has been analyzed and compared with other pricing approaches in accordance with spot pricing theory. Case studies support the results of the theoretical analysis, and further demonstrate that the method performs effectively in both uniform-pricing and nodal-pricing markets.
Functional Cooperation between CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Proteins and the Vitamin D Receptor in Regulation of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase

ABSTRACT 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] induces the synthesis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase [24(OH)ase], an enzyme involved in its catabolism, thereby regulating its own metabolism. Here we demonstrate that CCAAT enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is induced by 1,25(OH)2D3 in kidney and in osteoblastic cells and is a potent enhancer of vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated 24(OH)ase transcription. Transfection studies indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 induction of 24(OH)ase transcription is enhanced a maximum of 10-fold by C/EBPβ. Suppression of 1,25(OH)2D3-induced 24(OH)ase transcription was observed with dominant negative C/EBP or osteoblastic cells from C/EBPβ−/− mice. A C/EBP site was identified at positions −395 to −388 (−395/−388) in the rat 24(OH)ase promoter. Mutation of this site inhibited C/EBPβ binding and markedly attenuated the transcriptional response to C/EBPβ. We also report the cooperation of CBP/p300 with C/EBPβ in regulating VDR-mediated 24(OH)ase transcription. We found that not only 1,25(OH)2D3 but also parathyroid hormone (PTH) can induce C/EBPβ expression in osteoblastic cells. PTH potentiated the induction of C/EBPβ and 24(OH)ase expression in response to 1,25(OH)2D3 in osteoblastic cells. Data with the human VDR promoter (which contains two putative C/EBP sites) indicate a role for C/EBPβ in the protein kinase A-mediated induction of VDR transcription. From this study a fundamental role has been established for the first time for cooperative effects and cross talk between the C/EBP family of transcription factors and VDR in 1,25(OH)2D3-induced transcription. These findings also indicate a novel role for C/EBPβ in the cross talk between PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3 that involves the regulation of VDR transcription.
The pharmacology and distribution of human 5‐hydroxytryptamine2B (5‐HT2b) receptor gene products: comparison with 5‐HT2a and 5‐HT2c receptors

1 Full length clones of the human 5‐HT2B receptor were isolated from human liver, kidney and pancreas. The cloned human 5‐HT2B receptors had a high degree of homology (∼80%) with the rat and mouse 5‐HT2B receptors. 2 PCR amplification was used to determine the tissue distribution of human 5‐HT2B receptor mRNA. mRNA encoding the 5‐HT2B receptor was expressed with greatest abundance in human liver and kidney. Lower levels of expression were detected in cerebral cortex, whole brain, pancreas and spleen. Expression was not detected in heart. 3 Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of 5‐HT2B receptor mRNA (a 2.4 kB sized band) in pancreas, liver and kidney. An additional 3.2 kB sized band of hybridization was detected in liver and kidney. This raises the possibility of a splice variant of the receptor or the presence of an additional homologous receptor. 4 The human 5‐HT2B receptor was expressed in Cos‐7 cells and its ligand binding characteristics were compared to similarly expressed human 5‐HT2A and 5‐HT2C receptors. The ligand specificity of the human 5‐HT2B receptor (5‐HT > ritanserin > SB 204741 > spiperone) was distinct from that of the human 5‐HT2A (ritanserin > spiperone > 5‐HT > SB 204741) and 5‐HT2C (ritanserin > 5‐HT > spiperone = SB 204741) receptors. On the basis of a higher affinity for ketanserin and a lower affinity for yohimbine the human 5‐HT2B receptor also appeared to differ from the rat 5‐HT2B receptor. 5 These findings confirm the sequence of the human 5‐HT2B receptor and they demonstrate that the receptor has a widespread tissue distribution. In addition, these data suggest that there are differences in ligand affinities between different species homologues of the receptor. Finally, the finding of two distinct bands on the Northern blots of liver and kidney raises the possibility of splice variants or subtypes of 5‐HT2B receptors, within these tissues.
Pump-Noise Contribution to Frequency Noise and Linewidth of Distributed-Feedback Fiber Lasers

A theoretical and experimental analysis of the pump-noise contribution to frequency noise and linewidth in distributed-feedback fiber lasers is presented. An analytic expression for the frequency domain transfer function from pump to frequency fluctuations is derived and a formula for the pump-dependent frequency noise spectrum given. These results are confirmed experimentally for two dissimilar distributed-feedback fiber lasers with moderate Er concentration. The transition from fundamental thermal noise at low pump intensity to pump induced frequency noise at high pump intensity is experimentally observed, thus, clarifying the general nature of frequency noise in compact fiber lasers. The relationship between frequency noise and linewidth is discussed.
Mycobacterium pinnipedii in a captive Southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens): a case report.

Mycobacterium pinnipedii causes tuberculosis in free-living and captive pinniped species throughout the world. We report on the isolation of this M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) member from an imported male Southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens) in a zoo in the Czech Republic. Nodular granulomatous lesions were found in the lungs, pleura and mesenteric lymph nodes of this animal and M. pinnipedii was isolated from lung, mesenteric and submandibular lymph nodes. Identification of the isolates was confirmed using two independent molecular methods. Direct IS 6110 PCR amplification confirmed the presence of an MTC member in these samples. Faecal and oral swabs from three living female sea lions were examined using direct IS PCR and were all found to be negative. Twelve environmental samples were examined using direct microscopy after Ziehl-Neelsen staining and culture methods along with direct IS 6110 PCR examination, all yielding negative results. Seven people that came into close contact with the infected animal were examined using a skin tuberculin test and chest x-ray, revealing no evidence of infection by a MTC member.
Differential Expression of ErbB3 and ErbB4 Neuregulin Receptors in Dopamine Neurons and Forebrain Areas of the Adult Rat

Neuregulins have been shown to play an important role in the development of the central nervous system, but their function in adult tissues is still unclear. We investigated the expression of the neuregulin receptors erbB3 and erbB4 in the adult rat brain by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Areas with considerable expression of erbB4 receptor mRNA include cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, medial habenula, reticular thalamic nucleus, several hypothalamic nuclei, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra pars compacta, and ventral tegmental area. Immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine indicate that erbB4 is expressed in dopamine neurons in the latter two nuclei. Substantial erbB4 expression is also present in clusters of cells along the ventral and medial border of the striatum/nucleus accumbens and in the subependymal zone along the lateral and olfactory ventricles (rostral migratory stream), suggesting a role for neuregulins in adult cell proliferation. In contrast, erbB3 mRNA is mostly expressed in white matter throughout the brain and in the ependyma of the ventral half of the third ventricle (tanycytes). These results demonstrate that expression of erbB3 and erbB4 receptors is widespread in the adult rat brain and suggest a function for neuregulins into adulthood.
The Self-Control Irony: Desire for Self-Control Limits Exertion of Self-Control in Demanding Settings

Self-control is a highly adaptive human capacity. Accordingly, development of self-control is widely encouraged. Whereas the benefits of having self-control are well documented, little is known about the impact of wanting self-control. The present investigation fills this void by exploring the effect of desire for self-control on the ability to exert self-control. It was expected that in the context of demanding self-control challenges, a desire for self-control will highlight a discrepancy between one’s goals and perceived performance potential, leading to reduced efficacy beliefs and task disengagement. Four studies (N = 635) supported the prediction. Study 1 showed that a strong desire impaired performance on a demanding task but not on a simple task. Study 2 conceptually replicated the decrement in performance and established causality by experimentally manipulating desire for self-control. Studies 3 and 4 showed that reduction in efficacy beliefs mediate the effect. Implications of the findings are discussed.