Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of autologous blood injection on postoperative air leak at lung resections.

BACKGROUND The effects of autologous blood injection beneath the stapling lines on postoperative air leak after lung resections, especially in emphysematous lungs, were prospectively investigated. METHODS The study was carried out on 16 randomized patients. The mean age of the study group was 58 and the mean forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) at the spirometry was 2.05 L. In the control group, the mean age was 60 and the mean FEV1 was 1.97 L. All 16 cases were males and had a history of smoking. In the study group, 10-20 ml of autologous venous blood was drawn by the anesthesist and transferred to the operation team. The blood was gently injected underneath the staple line and ultimately 1 cm thickened layer of the lung was obtained. In the control group only staplers were applied. RESULTS There was no air leak at the end of the operation at the study group, whereas additional sutures which were pledgetted with Gore-tex patches were needed at four cases at the control group. There were minimal air leaks at three cases at the control group at the postoperative period, while there was no postoperative air leak problem at the study group. Thorax tubes were removed at the 3rd and the 3.9th days at the study and the control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We believe this simple and cheap method could be used at least in some instances where additional staple reinforcement would be necessary. It may also be remembered when air leaks are encountered at suture holes after suturing the lung.
The RNA Molecule CsrB Binds to the Global Regulatory Protein CsrA and Antagonizes Its Activity in Escherichia coli *

The RNA-binding protein CsrA (carbon storage regulator) is a new kind of global regulator, which facilitates specific mRNA decay. A recombinant CsrA protein containing a metal-binding affinity tag (CsrA-H6) was purified to homogeneity and authenticated by N-terminal sequencing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, and other studies. This protein was entirely contained within a globular complex of approximately 18 CsrA-H6 subunits and a single ∼350-nucleotide RNA, CsrB. cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequencing revealed that thecsrB gene is located downstream from syd in the 64-min region of the Escherichia coli K-12 genome and contains no open reading frames. The purified CsrA-CsrB ribonucleoprotein complex was active in regulating glg(glycogen biosynthesis) gene expression in vitro, as was the RNA-free form of the CsrA protein. Overexpression ofcsrB enhanced glycogen accumulation in E. coli, a stationary phase process that is repressed by CsrA. Thus, CsrB RNA is a second component of the Csr system, which binds to CsrA and antagonizes its effects on gene expression. A model for regulatory interactions in Csr is presented, which also explains previous observations on the homologous system in Erwinia carotovora. A highly repeated nucleotide sequence located within predicted stem-loops and other single-stranded regions of CsrB, CAGGA(U/A/C)G, is a plausible CsrA-binding element.
Why Are Exchange Rates So Smooth? A Heterogeneous Portfolio Explanation

Empirical work on asset prices suggests that pricing kernels have to be almost perfectly correlated across countries. If they are not, real exchange rates are too smooth to be consistent with high Sharpe ratios in asset markets. However, the cross-country correlation of macro fundamentals is far from perfect. We reconcile these empirical facts in a two-country stochastic growth model with heterogeneous household portfolios. A large fraction of households either hold low risk portfolios and/or do not adjust their portfolio optimally, and these households drive down the cross-country correlation in aggregate consumption. Only a small fraction of households participate in international risk sharing by frequently trading domestic and foreign equities. These active traders are the marginal investors, who impute the almost perfect correlation in pricing kernels. In our calibrated economy, we show that this mechanism can quantitatively account for the excess smoothness of exchange rates in the presence of highly volatile stochastic discount factors.
Systematic review of caudal epidural injections in the management of chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND Caudal epidural injection of local anesthetics with or without steroids is one of the most commonly used interventions in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain. However, there has been a lack of well-designed randomized, controlled studies to determine the effectiveness of caudal epidural injections in various conditions - disc herniation and radiculitis, post-lumbar laminectomy syndrome, spinal stenosis, and chronic low back pain of disc origin without disc herniation or radiculitis. STUDY DESIGN A systematic review of caudal epidural injections with or without steroids in managing chronic pain secondary to lumbar disc herniation or radiculitis, post lumbar laminectomy syndrome, spinal stenosis, and discogenic pain without disc herniation or radiculitis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of caudal epidural injections with or without steroids in managing various types of chronic low back and lower extremity pain emanating as a result of disc herniation or radiculitis, post-lumbar laminectomy syndrome, spinal stenosis, and chronic discogenic pain. METHODS A review of the literature was performed according to the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group Criteria as utilized for interventional techniques for randomized trials and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) criteria for observational studies. The level of evidence was classified as Level I, II, or III based on the quality of evidence developed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Data sources included relevant literature of the English language identified through searches of PubMed and EMBASE from 1966 to November 2008, and manual searches of bibliographies of known primary and review articles. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was pain relief (short-term relief = up to 6 months and long-term > or = 6 months). Secondary outcome measures of improvement in functional status, psychological status, return to work, and reduction in opioid intake were utilized. RESULTS The evidence showed Level I for short- and long-term relief in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain secondary to lumbar disc herniation and/or radiculitis and discogenic pain without disc herniation or radiculitis. The indicated evidence is Level II-1 or II-2 for caudal epidural injections in managing low back pain of post-lumbar laminectomy syndrome and spinal stenosis. LIMITATIONS The limitations of this study include the paucity of literature, specifically for chronic pain without disc herniation. CONCLUSION This systematic review shows Level I evidence for relief of chronic pain secondary to disc herniation or radiculitis and discogenic pain without disc herniation or radiculitis. Further, the indicated evidence is Level II-1 or II-2 for caudal epidural injections in managing chronic pain of post lumbar laminectomy syndrome and spinal stenosis.
Calmodulin Binds to and Inhibits GTP Binding of the Ras-like GTPase Kir/Gem*

Recently, a new subfamily of Ras-related GTP-binding proteins consisting of Rad (as ssociated with iabetes), Gem (immediate early ene xpressed in itogen-stimulated T-cells), and Kir (tyrosine inase-nducible as-like) was discovered. The C terminus of these proteins contains an extension of approximately 30 amino acids not present in other members of the Ras family and which exhibits all the hallmarks typical for calmodulin (CaM)-binding domains. A peptide corresponding to the putative CaM-binding domain of the Kir/Gem protein was synthesized, and its affinity for CaM was determined by fluorescence spectrometry. Titration of dansyl-CaM with the Kir/Gem peptide gave an affinity constant of 1 nM. Furthermore, a single point mutation of the peptide, W269G, abolished this high affinity interaction. Gel-shift analysis showed that the complex formation between CaM and the Kir/Gem peptide is strictly calcium-dependent. We also demonstrate with a newly developed [32P]CaM overlay technique that full-length Kir/Gem and Rad proteins bind CaM in a Ca2+-dependent fashion. The binding of CaM to glutathione S-transferase-Kir and GST-Gem inhibited the binding of GTP to Kir/Gem significantly. These results suggest the existence of a direct link between Ca2+/CaM and growth factor signal transduction pathways at the level of small Ras-like GTPases.
Brokerage and Boots on the Ground: Complements or Substitutes in the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships?

There is more agreement on the need for advisory services to help small and midsized manufacturers keep up with the latest managerial techniques and technologies than there is on the optimal design of those services. This study reconfigures and reanalyzes administrative data from the American Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and draws on extensive interviews with “street-level bureaucrats” at Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, to identify and compare variation in centers’ approaches to service delivery. Centers and clients who rely on third-party providers tend to have more rather than less enduring ties, suggesting that it’s direct delivery, rather than brokerage, that is associated with one-shot deals. There is evidence also that projects generate the most impact when they help “get the relationships right” and mitigate network failures.
Transient, steady‐state and rebreathing responses to carbon dioxide in man, at rest and during light exercise.

1. The transient ventilatory response to CO2, measured using short pulses at constant inflow, was compared with the steady‐state response at rest and during exercise at 50 W, and with the rebreathing response at rest, in nine healthy subjects. At rest CO2 was given at flow rates of 0.2 and 0.4 l min‐1 and during exercise, to compensate for the smaller inhaled CO2 fraction as ventilation increased, at flow rates of 0.4 and 0.8 l min‐1. 2. We calculated two indexes of gain for the transient response: the ratio of the peaks of the ventilation and PCO2 pulses, and the ratio of their integrals. 3. The steady‐state response was greater than the transient response at rest and during exercise, but there was no correlation between the two. The rebreathing response was greater than both. Both the transient and the steady‐state responses were greater during exercise than at rest. 4. To assess alinearity, the steady‐state responses to the two CO2 flow rates were compared. At rest, there was no significant difference. During exercise, the response was greater to 0.4 than 0.8 l min‐1, indicating alinearity concave downwards. 5. We conclude that the transient response as we calculate it is not representative of steady‐state gain, and that the CO2 response in light exercise is steeper, and concave downwards in shape. The rebreathing technique overestimates CO2 sensitivity near the control point.
Coordinated regulation of radioadaptive response by protein kinase C and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Eukaryotic cells are known to have an inducible or adaptive response that enhances radioresistance after a low priming dose of radiation. This radioadaptive response seems to present a novel cellular defense mechanism. However, its molecular processing and signaling mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we studied the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the expression of radioadaptive response in cultured mouse cells. Protein immunoblot analysis using isoform-specific antibodies showed an immediate activation of PKC-alpha upon X-irradiation as indicated by a translocation from cytosol to membrane. A low priming dose caused a prolonged translocation, while a nonadaptive high dose dramatically downregulated the total PKC level. Low-dose X-rays also activated the p38 MAPK. The activation of p38 MAPK and resistance to chromosome aberration formation were blocked by SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, and Calphostin C, an inhibitor of PKC. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that p38 MAPK was physically associated with delta1 isoform of phospholipase C (PLC-delta1), which hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate into diacylglycerol, an activator of PKC, and that SB203580 also blocked the activation of PKC-alpha. These results indicate the presence of a novel mechanism for coordinated regulation of adaptive response to low-dose X-rays by a nexus of PKC-alpha/p38 MAPK/PLC-delta1 circuitry feedback signaling pathway with its breakage operated by downregulation of labile PKC-alpha at high doses or excess stimuli.
Agroecological transition: A viability model to assess soil restoration

Since the 1950s, intensive and specialized agricultural systems using a few select species and relying heavily on agrochemical inputs have enabled a huge increase in food production. However, in parallel, drawbacks appeared including biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emission, erosion, and water pollution. Today shifting farming systems to mitigate soil degradation trends is indispensable. Using viability theory, we propose a dynamic model of the sequence of agricultural productions and practices that can be implemented in the long term to restore soil quality while respecting a set of agronomic and economic constraints. The paths to soil restoration vary depending on agronomic and economic constraints, the time available for restoration, the initial soil conditions, and investment capacities. Economic valuation of the minimum cost of restoration shows that the agroecological transition may be costly and that farmers can have difficulty meeting the costs, thus raising the question of how the cost of agroecological transition is to be shared.
In Vitro Characterization of the Antibacterial Spectrum of Novel Bacterial Type II Topoisomerase Inhibitors of the Aminobenzimidazole Class

ABSTRACT Antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action are becoming increasingly important in the battle against bacterial resistance to all currently used classes of antibiotics. Bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (topoIV) are the familiar targets of fluoroquinolone and coumarin antibiotics. Here we present the characterization of two members of a new class of synthetic bacterial topoII ATPase inhibitors: VRT-125853 and VRT-752586. These aminobenzimidazole compounds were potent inhibitors of both DNA gyrase and topoIV and had excellent antibacterial activities against a wide spectrum of problematic pathogens responsible for both nosocomial and community-acquired infections, including staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, and mycobacteria. Consistent with the novelty of their structures and mechanisms of action, antibacterial potency was unaffected by commonly encountered resistance phenotypes, including fluoroquinolone resistance. In time-kill assays, VRT-125853 and VRT-752586 were bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Haemophilus influenzae, causing 3-log reductions in viable cells within 24 h. Finally, similar to the fluoroquinolones, relatively low frequencies of spontaneous resistance to VRT-125853 and VRT-752586 were found, a property consistent with their in vitro dual-targeting activities.
Web-based CSR communication in post-communist countries

ABSTRACT In this survey, we investigate the level of web-based CSR communication in selected post-communist countries. Our objective was to identify, analyse and evaluate the scope of web-based CSR communication and the structure of CSR activities communicated by the TOP 100 companies based in the Czech Republic and Ukraine. On the basis of content analysis of the websites of the 100 most important companies (according to the level of revenue) based in each of these countries, we can state that the level of their web-based CSR communication is comparable. It does, however, correspond to the generally low level of CSR communication in post-communist countries. Apart from corporate websites, another popular channel of communication is social networks, in particular, Facebook. As far as the scope of CSR activities communicated is concerned, companies based in the Czech Republic communicate an average of 19 and companies based in Ukraine communicate an average of 18 of the 39 monitored activities. TOP 100 companies operating in these countries communicate economic and environmental responsibility activities in the greatest scope and on the contrary, ethical responsibility activities the least.
Incidence trends and gender differences in malignant mesothelioma in New South Wales, Australia.

OBJECTIVES Features of malignant mesothelioma reportedly differ between men and women, including occupational asbestos exposure, histological subtype, and median survival. In this study, incidence trends and clinical features for malignant mesothelioma were compared between genders in New South Wales (NSW), where notification of malignant mesothelioma to the Central Cancer Registry is a statutory requirement. METHODS Notifications to the Central Cancer Registry were compared with those to the registry of the NSW Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board. The latter includes occupational and clinical data. RESULTS Of the 3090 cases of malignant mesothelioma reported to the Central Cancer Registry between 1972 and 2004, 456 (15%) were female. Altogether 1995 malignant mesotheliomas were compensated between 1969 and 2004, of which 105 (5%) occurred among women. The incidence increased for both genders by approximately 15-fold. Median survival was similar for the men and women for all of the cases (7 versus 6 months), but was better among the women who received compensation (8.5 versus 10.4 months, P<0.0001). The mean disease latency (42.8 years) increased over the study period (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In New South Wales over the last 30 years, the total number of malignant mesotheliomas and the number of compensated cases of malignant mesothelioma have risen for both genders. The mean latency is increasing, and increasing numbers of "nonoccupational" cases are being reported. Survival remains poor.
Returned migrants and remittances alleviating poverty: Evidence from Malang, East Java

DOI: 10.14254/2071789X.2018/11-1/13 ABSTRACT. This paper examines the sustainability of returning international migrants, who remain at home country, moving out from poverty. This study uses cross-sectional primary data as of September and October 2015 on 840 households of the returned migrants which is around 10% of the overall migrant stock in the Malang district, East Java as of 2014/2015; and also 840 current migrants, which is again around 10% of the current migrant stock as a control group. Although we have found that remittances reduce the probability of households living in poverty, this study concludes that returning migrants will not be better off for very long, and will almost certainly return to poverty after some time. The major limitation of this paper is that it focuses only on the financial capital’s contribution to the welfare of the returning migrants, not incorporating also such factors as human capital, business skills, or attitude that migrants get from staying overseas. The study suggests the government should provide guidance to migrant households on how to use their gained income in a more sustainable and productive way, thus making the best of the financial capital available to them.
Vibrational Excitation of H2 Scattering from Cu(111): Effects of Surface Temperature and of Allowing Energy Exchange with the Surface

In scattering of H2 from Cu(111), vibrational excitation has so far defied an accurate theoretical description. To expose the causes of the large discrepancies with experiment, we investigate how the feature due to vibrational excitation (the “gain peak”) in the simulated time-of-flight spectrum of (v = 1, j = 3) H2 scattering from Cu(111) depends on the surface temperature (Ts) and the possibility of energy exchange with surface phonons and electron–hole pairs (ehp’s). Quasi-classical dynamics calculations are performed on the basis of accurate semiempirical density functionals for the interaction with H2 + Cu(111). The methods used include the quasi-classical trajectory method within the Born–Oppenheimer static surface model, the generalized Langevin oscillator (GLO) method incorporating energy transfer to surface phonons, the GLO + friction (GLO+F) method also incorporating energy exchange with ehp’s, and ab initio molecular dynamics with electronic friction (AIMDEF). Of the quasi-classical methods tested, comparison with AIMDEF suggests that the GLO+F method is accurate enough to describe vibrational excitation as measured in the experiments. The GLO+F calculations also suggest that the promoting effect of raising Ts on the measured vibrational excitation is due to an electronically nonadiabatic mechanism. However, by itself, enabling energy exchange with the surface by modeling surface phonons and ehp’s leads to reduced vibrational excitation, further decreasing the agreement with experiment. The simulated gain peak is quite sensitive to energy shifts in calculated vibrational excitation probabilities and to shifts in a specific experimental parameter (the chopper opening time). While the GLO+F calculations allow important qualitative conclusions, comparison to quantum dynamics results suggests that, with the quasi-classical way of describing nuclear motion and the present box quantization method for assigning the final vibrational state, the gain peak is not yet described with quantitative accuracy. Ways in which this problem might be resolved in the future are discussed.
Discovery, adaptation and transcriptional activity of two tick promoters: Construction of a dual luciferase reporter system for optimization of RNA interference in rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus cell lines

Dual luciferase reporter systems are valuable tools for functional genomic studies, but have not previously been developed for use in tick cell culture. We evaluated expression of available luciferase constructs in tick cell cultures derived from Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, an important vector of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Commercial promoters were evaluated for transcriptional activity driving luciferase expression in the tick cell lines. The human phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter resulted in detectable firefly luciferase activity within 2 days post‐transfection of the R. microplus cell line BME26, with maximal activity at 5 days post‐transfection. Several other promoters were weaker or inactive in the tick cells, prompting identification and assessment of transcriptional activity of the homologous ribosomal protein L4 (rpL4, GenBank accession no.: KM516205) and elongation factor 1α (EF‐1α, GenBank accession no.: KM516204) promoters cloned from R. microplus. Evaluation of luciferase expression driven by various promoters in tick cell culture resulted in selection of the R. microplus rpL4 promoter and the human PGK promoter driving transcription of sequences encoding modified firefly and NanoLuc® luciferases for construction of a dual luciferase reporter system for use in tick cell culture.