Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo evidence for carrier-mediated uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics through organic anion transport systems in rat kidney and liver.

The transport mechanisms of beta-lactam antibiotics in the rat kidney and liver were studied with an in vivo tissue-sampling single-injection technique using [3H]benzylpenicillin [( 3H]PCG) as a substrate. Concentration-dependent uptake of [3H]PCG was observed in the kidney, and the in vivo kinetic parameters were estimated as follows: the maximum uptake rate (Jmax) was 6.88 mumol/min/g of kidney, MIchaelis constant (Kt) was 1.39 mM and nonsaturable first-order rate constant (kd) was 0.414 ml/min/g of kidney. The uptake of [3H]PCG was inhibited by organic anions but not by organic cations. Several beta-lactam antibiotics also reduced the uptake of [3H]PCG. Furthermore, the organic anion, probenecid, and beta-lactam antibiotic, cefpiramide, showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect. These results suggest participation of an organic anion transport system in uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics across the renal plasma membrane. Saturable uptake of [3H]PCG was also observed in the liver and Jmax, Kt and Kd were estimated to be 3.62 mumol/min/g of liver, 3.59 mM and 0.223 ml/min/g of liver, respectively. The in vivo influx rate calculated from Jmax/Kt in the liver was 1.01 ml/min/g of liver and was close to the in vitro value, 1.54 ml/min/g of liver, estimated previously from isolated hepatocytes. Although dipeptides and organic cations showed no effect on the hepatic uptake of [3H]PCG, probenecid significantly reduced its uptake. Several beta-lactam antibiotics also reduced the uptake of [3H]PCG by the liver. These features of the hepatic uptake of beta-lactam antibiotics through an organic anion transport system are in agreement with the previous results obtained in isolated hepatocytes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dynamic Phasor and Frequency Measurements by an Improved Taylor Weighted Least Squares Algorithm

One of the most accurate phasor estimation procedures recently proposed in the literature is the so-called Taylor weighted least squares (TWLS) algorithm, which relies on a dynamic phasor model of an electrical waveform at nominal frequency. In this paper, an extension of the TWLS algorithm [called generalized TWLS (GTWLS) algorithm] to a generic (not only nominal) reference frequency is described and the accuracies of the returned estimates are analyzed through meaningful simulations, performed in different steady-state and dynamic testing conditions according to the IEEE Standard C37.118. 1-2011 about synchrophasor measurement for power systems and its Amendment IEEE Standard C37.118. 1a-2014. It is shown that the accuracy of the total vector error (TVE), frequency error (FE), and rate of change of frequency error (RFE) normally decreases as the deviation between the reference frequency and the true waveform frequency decreases. Furthermore, a two-step procedure for accurate estimation of the phasor parameters is proposed. In the first step, the waveform frequency is estimated by a classical interpolated discrete Fourier transform (IpDFT) algorithm. The second step then returns an estimate of the phasor parameters by applying the TWLS algorithm based on the frequency estimate returned by the first step. It is shown that the proposed procedure, called the GTWLS-IpDFT algorithm, can comply with the P-class or the M-class of performances in all the considered testing conditions when an appropriate number of waveform cycles is considered and the most significant disturbances are removed from the analyzed waveform. Finally, uncertainties of the proposed estimators and the IpD2FT algorithm recently presented in the literature are also compared.
DNAX-Activating Protein of 12 kDa Impairs Host Defense in Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Objectives:Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causative organism in community-acquired pneumonia responsible for millions of deaths every year. DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa is an adaptor molecule for different myeloid expressed receptors involved in innate immunity. Design:Animal study. Setting:University research laboratory. Subjects:DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa–deficient (dap12–/–) and wild-type mice. Interventions:Mice were intranasally infected with S. pneumoniae. In addition, ex vivo responsiveness of alveolar macrophages was examined. Measurements and Main Results:dap12–/– alveolar macrophages released more tumor necrosis factor-&agr; upon stimulation with S. pneumoniae and displayed increased phagocytosis of this pathogen compared with wild-type cells. After infection with S. pneumoniae via the airways, dap12–/– mice demonstrated reduced bacterial outgrowth in the lungs together with delayed dissemination to distant body sites relative to wild-type mice. This favorable response in dap12–/– mice was accompanied by reduced lung inflammation and an improved survival. Conclusions:These data suggest that DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa impairs host defense during pneumococcal pneumonia at the primary site of infection at least in part by inhibiting phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages.
Pulmonary aspergillosis and invasive disease in AIDS: review of 342 cases.

Aspergillosis is an infrequent but commonly fatal infection among HIV-infected individuals. We review 342 cases of pulmonary Aspergillus infection that have been reported among HIV-infected patients, with a focus on invasive disease. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis usually occurs among patients with <50 CD4 cells/mm3. Major predisposing conditions include neutropenia and steroid treatment. Fever, cough, and dyspnea are each present in >60% of the cases. BAL is often suggestive, but biopsy specimens are necessary for definite diagnosis. Amphotericin B is the mainstay of treatment and mortality is > 80%. Avoiding neutropenia and judicious use of steroids may be helpful in prevention. Aggressive diagnostic approach, early initiation of treatment, adequate dosing of antifungals, and close follow-up may improve the currently dismal prognosis.
Intertemporal Uncertainty Avoidance: When the Future is Uncertain, People Prefer the Present, and When the Present is Uncertain, People Prefer the Future

Three studies explored the effects of uncertainty on people’s time preferences for financial gains and losses. In general, individuals seek to avoid uncertainty in situations of intertemporal choice. While holding the expected value of payouts constant, participants preferred immediate gains and losses if the future was uncertain, and preferred future gains and losses if the present was uncertain. This pattern of preferences is incompatible with current models of intertemporal choice, in which people should consistently prefer to have gains now and losses later. This pattern of uncertainty avoidance is also not explained by prospect theory models, which predict risk seeking for losses. We discuss these findings in relation to previous literature. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mnsc.2015. 2349. This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, judgment and decision making.
New Evidence on the Effects of State Mental Health Mandates

State mental health parity laws improve equity in private insurance coverage for mental and physical health services, but prior research shows no effect on service use. We study whether state parity differentially affects individuals by employer size since large firms are often exempt from state health mandates due to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. We also examine whether state parity laws differentially affect use among individuals with low incomes or in poor mental health. We find that individuals in smaller firms are more likely to use services post-parity implementation and that this effect is concentrated among low-income individuals.
Speculators and Middlemen: The Strategy and Performance of Investors in the Housing Market

Using data from the Los Angeles area from 1988 to 2012, we study the behavior and sources of returns of individual investors in the housing market. We document the existence of two distinct investor types. The first act as middlemen, purchasing substantially below and reselling above market prices throughout the cycle, improving liquidity and the existing capital stock in the process. The second act as speculators, who primarily enter during the boom, buying and selling at essentially market prices. Neither type anticipated the housing bust. We document similar behavior by speculators and middlemen in 96 other U.S. metro areas.
Human embryonic stem cell‐derived neural precursors develop into neurons and integrate into the host brain

Whether and how in‐vitro‐produced human neural precursors mature and integrate into the brain are crucial to the utility of human embryonic stem (hES) cells in treating neurological disorders. After transplantation into the ventricles of neonatal immune‐deficient mice, hES‐cell‐derived neural precursors stopped expressing the cell division marker Ki67, except in neurogenic areas, and differentiated into neurons and then glia in a temporal course intrinsic to that of human cells regardless of location. The human cells located in the gray matter became neurons in the olfactory bulb and striatum, whereas those in the white matter produced exclusively glia. Importantly, the grafted human cells formed synapses. Thus, the in‐vitro‐produced human neural precursors follow their intrinsic temporal program to produce neurons and glia and, in response to environmental signals, generate cells appropriate to their target regions and integrate into the brain. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Specificity of neurotrophin‐3 determined by loss‐of‐function mutagenesis

Neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) is a member of the family of neurotrophic factors, which also includes nerve growth factor (NGF) and which have specific activities on different subsets of vertebrate neurons. The aim of this study was to determine which residues in NT‐3 direct its specificity to the cognate TrkC receptor. It was possible to replace 80% of the residues in NT‐3 with NGF residues without loss of specific activity. Residues D72, Y85, R87, W101, S107, and A111, together with either the residues F12, V18, V20, M37, V42, F54, and K57 or the variable regions IV and V, accounted for the specificity of NT‐3. It is concluded that NGF and NT‐3 use overlapping as well as separated regions for determination of specificities for their cognate receptors TrkA and TrkC, respectively. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:496–503, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disabled-2 (Dab2) Mediates Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ)-stimulated Fibronectin Synthesis through TGFβ-activated Kinase 1 and Activation of the JNK Pathway*

The multifunctional cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) exerts many of its effects through its regulation of extracellular matrix components, including fibronectin (FN). Although expression of both TGFβ and FN are essential for embryonic development and wound healing in the adult, overexpression leads to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix observed in many fibroproliferative disorders. We previously have demonstrated that TGFβ-stimulated FN induction requires activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway; however, the signaling molecules that link the TGFβ receptors to the JNK pathway remain unknown. We show here that the cytosolic adaptor protein disabled-2 (Dab2) directly stimulates JNK activity, whereas stable small interfering RNA-mediated ablation of Dab2 in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and A10 rat aortic smooth muscle cells demonstrates that its expression is required for TGFβ-mediated FN induction. We demonstrate that TGFβ treatment stimulates the association of Dab2 with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, TAK1. Attenuation of cellular TAK1 levels by transient double-stranded RNA oligonucleotide transfection as well as overexpression of kinase-deficient TAK1 leads to abrogation of TGFβ-stimulated FN induction. Furthermore, cell migration, another JNK-dependent response, is attenuated in NIH3T3-siDab2-expressing clones. We, therefore, delineate a signaling pathway proceeding from the TGFβ receptors to Dab2 and TAK1, leading to TGFβ-stimulated JNK activation, FN expression, and cell migration.
Mutation screening in the IRF6‐gene in patients with apparently nonsyndromic orofacial clefts and a positive family history suggestive of autosomal‐dominant inheritance

Stefanie Birnbaum,* Heiko Reutter, Carola Lauster, Martin Scheer, Gül Schmidt, Mitra Saffar, Markus Martini, Alexander Hemprich, Henning Henschke, Franz-Josef Kramer, and Elisabeth Mangold Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Department of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Surgery, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany Department of Orthodontics, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
Changing Macroeconomic Dynamics at the Zero Lower Bound

ABSTRACT This article develops a change-point VAR model that isolates four major macroeconomic regimes in the US since the 1960s. The model identifies shocks to demand, supply, monetary policy, and spread yield using restrictions from a general equilibrium model. The analysis discloses important changes to the statistical properties of key macroeconomic variables and their responses to the identified shocks. During the crisis period, spread shocks became more important for movements in unemployment and inflation. A counterfactual exercise evaluates the importance of lower bond-yield spread during the crises and suggests that the Fed’s large-scale asset purchases helped lower the unemployment rate by about 0.6 percentage points, while boosting inflation by about 1 percentage point.
Etude de la biocompatibilité de biomatériaux, de la récupération fonctionnelle et de la stratégie neurale dans le cadre de l'arthroplastie totale de genou chez le rat

L'arthroplastie totale du genou (ATG) est le traitement de reference de l’osteoarthrose severe du genou. Cette procedure necessite une chirurgie lourde qui induit de nombreux deficits qui persistent pendant plusieurs annees. Par ailleurs, les protheses ont une duree de vie limitee de par les contraintes chimiques et mecaniques se produisant dans l'environnement biologique. Nous avons teste en condition in vivo la biocompatibilite de quatre biomateriaux orthopediques sous l’effet de l’application de neuro-myelectrostimulation et/ou d’une alimentation enrichie en sel. Nos resultats demontrent que ces deux elements pourraient avoir un effet deletere pour l'osteointegration, l'integrite des implants et la viabilite des cellules musculaires environnantes. Une prothese adaptee au genou du rat a ete concue afin d’etudier l’effet de l’ATG sur la recuperation fonctionnelle et sur les mecanismes nerveux sous-jacents. Nos resultats demontrent que la gonarthrose n'engendre pas de deficits fonctionnels severes. En revanche, le reflexe H est inhibe et les afferences musculaires de type III et IV sont desensibilisees. Les animaux ayant subi une ATG ont revele des deficits fonctionnels importants qui tendait a recuperes avec le temps, mais aucune alteration de la reponse des fibres afferentes III et IV n'a ete observee et le reflexe H est maintenu. Ces resultats soulignent l'adaptation a la prothese et la presence d'un phenomene de recuperation et non d’une compensation. Grâce a notre approche experimentale innovante, il est maintenant possible de tester in vivo, la biocompatibilite de nouveaux biomateriaux et/ou de nouveaux traitements qui n'ont pas encore d'application clinique.
Porcine Circoviruses and Xenotransplantation

Allotransplantation and xenotransplantation may be associated with the transmission of pathogens from the donor to the recipient. Whereas in the case of allotransplantation the transmitted microorganisms and their pathogenic effect are well characterized, the possible influence of porcine microorganisms on humans is mostly unknown. Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are common in pig breeds and they belong to porcine microorganisms that still have not been fully addressed in terms of evaluating the potential risk of xenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues, and organs. Two types of PCVs are known: porcine circovirus (PCV) 1 and PCV2. Whereas PCV1 is apathogenic in pigs, PCV2 may induce severe pig diseases. Although most pigs are subclinically infected, we do not know whether this infection impairs pig transplant functionality, particularly because PCV2 is immunosuppressive. In addition, vaccination against PCV2 is able to prevent diseases, but in most cases not transmission of the virus. Therefore, PCV2 has to be eliminated to obtain xenotransplants from uninfected healthy animals. Although there is evidence that PCV2 does not infect—at least immunocompetent—humans, animals should be screened using sensitive methods to ensure virus elimination by selection, Cesarean delivery, vaccination, or embryo transfer.
Debating the Age of Serpent Mound: A Reply to Romain and Herrmann’s Rejoinder to Lepper Concerning Serpent Mound

ABSTRACT The debate over the age of Serpent Mound (33AD01) is important because without a cultural context it is impossible to make meaningful statements about what this monumental effigy mound might have meant to its builders. In this response to Romain and Herrmann’s rejoinder, we clarify the provenience of the samples, which yielded the radiocarbon dates that contribute to our argument for a post–Late Woodland age for the effigy. In addition, we extend our critique of Romain and colleagues’ arguments to include the results of an independent study of soil cores extracted from the Serpent and surrounding landscape, which fails to corroborate Romain and colleagues’ assertion that a buried A horizon underlies the mound. Finally, we suggest that the construction of Serpent Mound may be historically linked to droughts in the Mississippi Valley that began at around AD 1100, which resulted in an influx of Mississippian refugees into the region.
Oral cancer knowledge and practices of dentists along the Texas-Mexico border.

BACKGROUND The study assessed the knowledge and clinical practices of Texas-Mexico border dentists in oral cancer prevention and early detection. METHODS A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all 398 dentists registered to practice along the Texas-Mexico border. RESULTS Inadequacies and ambivalence in respondents' oral cancer knowledge and practices were evident. Performance of oral cancer examinations was associated with positive perception of undergraduate oral cancer training (P =.02). Most respondents (81%) were interested in oral cancer continuing education (CE). CONCLUSIONS More emphasis on oral cancer training for dental students as well as provision of oral cancer CE to respondents are recommended.
Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in Black-Footed Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

SUMMARY. Three 1- to 3-mo-old black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) died within 24 hr of showing central nervous signs such as ataxia. The birds were housed in a baby penguin crèche. At necropsy, peritonitis, pneumonia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and renomegaly were evident. Histologically, the liver, lung, brain, and small intestine contained numerous tachyzoites and a few cysts of Toxoplasma. Immunohistochemistry identified the protozoal parasites as Toxoplasma gondii. Ultrastructurally, this was confirmed by the presence of many tachyzoites of T. gondii in the liver and lungs.
Adult Urological Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Multicenter Study of the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology (ASMO).

OBJECTIVE To analyze clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic factors and survival rates of the patients with urological soft tissue sarcomas treated and followed up in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS For overall survival analyses the Kaplan-Meier method was used. From medical records, nine prognostic factors on overall survival were analysed. RESULTS For the 53 patients (34 males, 19 females) whose charts were reviewed, the median age was 53 (range 22 to 83) years. Most frequently renal location (n=30; 56.6%) was evident and leiomyosarcoma (n=20, 37.7%) was the most frequently encountered histological type. Median survival time of all patients was 40.3 (95% CI, 14.2-66.3) months. In univariate analysis, male gender, advanced age (≥50 years), metastatic stage, unresectability, grade 3, renal location were determined as worse prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, metastatic stage, unresectability and grade 3 were determined as indicators of worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Urological soft tissue sarcomas are rarely seen tumours in adults. The most important factors in survival are surgical resection, stage of the tumour at onset, grade and location of the tumour, gender and age of the patients.
Why do frozen sections have limited value in encapsulated or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma of the thyroid?

The diagnosis of encapsulated or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma of the thyroid requires the proof of vascular or capsular invasion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between intraoperative diagnosis (benign, suggestive of carcinoma, or malignant) and the final histopathologic criteria for encapsulated or minimally invasive follicular carcinoma (tumor size, capsular invasion, vascular invasion, and differentiation). This was a retrospective study of 63 cases of encapsulated or minimally invasive carcinomas, with the final histopathologic diagnosis taken as the "gold standard. " The sensitivity of frozen sections for the diagnosis of malignant neoplasm was 17%. The median number of vascular invasions was 1, identified with a mean number of 9 paraffin-blocks of the tumor. In most cases, intraoperative frozen sections are unable to establish the proof of malignant neoplasm. Intraoperative study of tumor differentiation is useful to select follicular tumors that require a rapid definitive diagnosis and a completion thyroidectomy within 48 to 72 hours (73% of the cases in our study).
Acupuncture for Sickle Cell Pain Management in a Pediatric Emergency Department , Hematology Clinic , and Inpatient Unit

Background: Acupuncture has been shown to mitigate certain painful conditions in children. However, utilization of acupuncture for addressing acute and chronic pain in children with sickle cell disease has not been well-studied. The aim of this article is to report the use of acupuncture to treat acute and chronic sickle cell pain in one patient in a pediatric emergency department (PED), hematology clinic, and inpatient unit of an inner-city children’s hospital. Case: A 16-year-old Hispanic male with sickle cell disease was treated with acupuncture for 3 years. A retrospective chart review was performed to collect details on the acupuncture treatments, their effects on this patient’s pain and anxiety, feedback from the patient and his family, and frequency of PED visits and admissions for pain. Results: Fifty-eight acupuncture treatments were administered for this patient’s sickle cell pain during the period that was reviewed. His pain was reduced by an average of 2.3 points and 2.2 points for inpatient and outpatient treatments, respectively; and he had decreased anxiety. The frequency of PED visits and inpatient admissions for pain both decreased by 80% while this patient was receiving maintenance acupuncture. Conclusions: Acupuncture appeared to decrease pain and anxiety in this patient, and correlated with reduced PED visits and hospitalizations for his sickle cell pain. Acupuncture was feasible in both outpatient and inpatient settings.