Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Irritancy ranking of 31 cleansers in the Indian market in a 24‐h patch test

Cleansing trends promise freshness, sensory and health benefits but may also be accompanied by an increase in soap‐induced skin irritation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the irritant effect of 31 cleansers (28 bar soaps and 3 liquid cleansers) available in the Indian market. Eight percent w/v solutions of the soaps/cleansers were made and 30 μL of each of the solutions were applied to Finn chambers and occluded for 24 h along with distilled water (negative control) and 20% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as positive control. The sites were graded for erythema and scaling 30 min after removing the patches. The pH of each of the soap solutions was determined. Mean with SD and ANOVA (F‐value) was computed separately for each soap/cleanser with respect to the two parameters, erythema and scaling. The total of the means for both the parameters, erythema and scaling was also computed. The cleansers were listed based on this total from the least irritant to the most irritant. The differences between soaps (F‐value) was significant for erythema and scaling [erythema = 4.106 (P = 0.000); scaling = 6.006 (P = 0.000)]. Cetaphil cleansing lotion had the lowest erythema score of 0.25. Lowest scaling score of zero was recorded for Cetaphil cleansing lotion and Elovera moisturizing body wash. Aquasoft and Lifebuoy soaps had the highest erythema score of 2.13. Acnex had the highest scaling score of 1.75; Aquasoft, Hamam scrub bath soap and Naturepower sandal soaps were the next with a scaling score of 1.63. Cetaphil cleansing lotion, Aquaderm liquid soap, Dove bar soap and Elovera moisturizing body wash proved to be the least irritant cleansers with a total score of less than 1. The four most irritant soaps/cleansers had an average score of 3.65. The irritant potential of the majority of the cleansers fell between these extremes. The pH of all the soap/cleanser solutions was neutral to alkaline (pH 7–9) except that of Dove bar, Cetaphil cleansing lotion, Aquaderm liquid soap and Elovera moisturizing body wash which tested acidic (pH 5–6). The pH of the positive control—20% SDS, was acidic (pH 6). The difference in the irritancy potential between soaps/cleansers as determined by the 24‐h patch test was significant. There were individual variations in the irritant potential of the soaps/cleansers in the volunteers, thus when the patient queries on what soap to use, it may be advisable to test each patient separately and educate him/her regarding the soaps/cleansers less likely to cause irritation. The limitations of the study was that it was single blind and non‐randomized as all the 14 soap solutions were applied on 15 volunteers in the first panel and subsequently all the 17 soap solutions were applied on eight volunteers in the second panel. However, we could compare the irritant potential of 31 cleansers. The results of 24‐h patch testing of 31 soaps/cleansers in the Indian market in two panels of 14 and 17 soaps/cleansers on 15 and eight volunteers, respectively, are presented.
Three Days of Static Stretching Within a Warm-Up Does Not Affect Repeated-Sprint Ability in Youth Soccer Players

Wong, P-L, Lau, PWC, Mao, DW, Wu, YY, Behm, DG, and Wisløff, U. Three days of static stretching within a warm-up does not affect repeated-sprint ability in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 25(3): 838-845, 2011-This study aimed to examine the repeated-sprint ability (RSA) in soccer players after 3 days of static stretching. Twenty soccer players (age: 16.8 ± 0.4 years) participated in 2 series of experiments with within-subject repeated-measure design (control series [CON]: 13-minute aerobic warm-up; and static-stretching series [SS]: 10-minute aerobic warm-up and 3-minute static stretching). Each series consisted of 5 days, and RSA (9 × 30 m separated by 25-second passive recovery) was tested on days 1 and 5. Static stretching was performed for 3 consecutive days from days 2-4, before and after intermittent aerobic endurance exercise on each day. The same warm-up protocol was used before and after all RSA tests and exercises within 1 series. No significant difference between CON and SS was observed (p > 0.05) in RSA for overall (all sprints), early phase (first to third sprints), middle phase (fourth to sixth sprints), and final phase (seventh to ninth sprints). Short-term static stretching had trivial effects (Cohen's d < 0.35) on overall and split RSA phases (early, middle, and final). The present study showed that performing static stretching for 3 consecutive days and before repeated-sprint test did not negatively affect RSA. However, it is premature to recommend that static stretching could be included in in-season daily warm-up routine because some movements such as jump and single sprint were more sensitive to static stretching.
Eosinophilic keratitis in 46 eyes of 27 horses in the Mid-Atlantic United States (2008-2012).

OBJECTIVE To review the signalment, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of equine EK cases in the Mid-Atlantic United States; to evaluate the effects of topical or systemic corticosteroid treatment, oral cetirizine treatment and secondary corneal infection on disease duration; and to evaluate the association between corticosteroid and cetirizine treatment and likelihood of recurrence. ANIMALS Twenty-seven horses (47 eyes) diagnosed with EK from 2008 to 2012. PROCEDURE Retrospective medical record review followed by phone interview to obtain recurrence data. RESULTS Average age of affected horses was 8.2 years, SD 5.8 years. Eleven of 27 horses (41%) were diagnosed with EK in July. Twelve horses (44%) had been affected in previous years. Time to resolution averaged 3.7 months, SD 2.3 months. Ten horses (18 eyes) were treated with systemic dexamethasone, with a significantly shorter time to resolution, P = 0.03, averaging 2.23 months, SD 1.13 months, relative to horses not so treated, averaging 4.20 months, SD 1.47 months. Secondary infection led to a significant increase in time to resolution, P = 0.03, average 4.1 months, SD 1.7 months, relative to horses without secondary infection, average 3.0 months, SD 1.5 months. All eyes were visual at resolution. Horses treated with cetirizine were less likely to have recurrence during the follow-up period (1/13, or 8%) relative to horses not so treated (8/14, or 57%). CONCLUSIONS Eosinophilic keratitis has a seasonal occurrence in summer in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Systemic but not topical corticosteroid treatment may decrease therapy duration. Treatment with cetirizine may be associated with a decreased risk of recurrence.
The Anatomy of Systemic Risk

This paper advances three innovations in systemic risk. First, based on newly available data, the paper shows that systemic risk is generated by a small number of systemically important real sectors (“SIRS”) with identifiable characteristics. These characteristics drive SIRS volatility. Their existence permits an ex ante identification of the source and scale of emerging systemic risk. Second, the paper shows that a complete model incorporating SIRS and risk can generate most of the key characteristics of a systemic crisis. This result contrasts with earlier models of systemic risk which rely on market imperfections to generate systemic risk. The scope for reducing the costs of systemic risk through policies to counter particular imperfections in actual markets is therefore limited. Unless tailored to specific imperfections, such policies risk introducing inefficiencies. Third, with the introduction of uncertainty, the model produces all the major phenomena of a systemic crisis. The analysis explains why the standard reduced form risk models based on high frequency data from recent periods suffer high rates of Type II errors and failed to predict the financial crisis. The analysis points to a significant weakness in the Official Sector program of financial reform which relies heavily on the use of reduced form risk models. The program lacks an explicit requirement for real sector risk analysis as an essential component of credit risk evaluation. With a reliance on heavy capitalization to compensate for unidentified systemic risk, the reform will result in substantial over-capitalization relative to real risk for many banks, along with pockets of material under-capitalization in the operations of weak banks. This undercapitalization will remain invisible to the regulators and can threaten a systemic crisis.
Human vascular endothelium heterogeneity. A comparative study of cerebral and peripheral cultured vascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hormones, neurotransmitters, and autacoids play a key role in the regulation of vascular tone as a result of their interaction with the endothelium. The aim of this study was to compare selected properties of three human endothelial cell lines isolated from cerebral pial arteries (PEC) and two peripheral vessels, the superficial temporal (SEC) and omental (OEC) arteries. METHODS Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and receptor protein expression were measured in characterized primary cultures of human endothelial cells. RESULTS All cell lines labeled positively for factor VIII/von Willebrand factor. Growth rate and constitutive release of endothelin-1, expressed as a function of protein, were both significantly lower in cerebral cells (PEC) than in endothelial cells derived from peripheral vessels. Basal [Ca2+]i measured with the fluorescent calcium indicator fura 2-AM (2 mumol/L) did not differ in either of the three cell lines. Although PEC responded to endothelin-1 (0.1 mumol/L) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (1 mumol/L) by a twofold to threefold increase in [Ca2+]i, OEC were unresponsive to these peptides. Moreover, the calcium response to alpha-thrombin (10 nmol/L) was greater in cerebral (PEC) than in peripheral (SEC, OEC) endothelial cells, while bradykinin (100 nmol/L) increased [Ca2+]i to a similar level in all three cell types. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that endothelial cells from different sites of the vasculature exhibit different growth rates and vary in their response to agonists.
A genetic selection for supercoiling mutants of Escherichia coli reveals proteins implicated in chromosome structure

Chromosomes are divided into topologically independent regions, called domains, by the action of uncharacterized barriers. With the goal of identifying domain barrier components, we designed a genetic selection for mutants with reduced negative supercoiling of the Escherichia coli chromosome. We employed a strain that contained two chromosomally located reporter genes under the control of a supercoiling‐sensitive promoter and used transposon mutagenesis to generate a wide range of mutants. We subjected the selected mutants to a series of secondary screens and identified five proteins as modulators of chromosomal supercoiling in vivo. Three of these proteins: H‐NS, Fis and DksA, have clear ties to chromosome biology. The other two proteins, phosphoglucomutase (Pgm) and transketolase (TktA), are enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and have not previously been shown to affect DNA. Deletion of any of the identified genes specifically affected chromosome topology, without affecting plasmid supercoiling. We suggest that at least H‐NS, Fis and perhaps TktA assist directly in the supercoiling of domains by forming topological barriers on the E. coli chromosome.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Epidermolysis Bullosa: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study

Abstract: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) has been reported in severe epidermolysis bullosa (EB) subtypes. Poor nutritional status, low carnitine levels, selenium deficiency, chronic iron overload, drugs and viral etiology have been proposed as potential contributors. This was a retrospective, descriptive, multicenter study describing EB patients that developed DC, and determining potential pre‐disposing risk factors. Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study; 11 of them were male subjects (73%). Eighty‐seven per cent of the participants had dystrophic EB and 13% had junctional EB. Mean age at diagnosis of DC was 12.18 ± 4.99 years. Chronic anemia was diagnosed in 13 of 15 patients (86.7%). Sixty per cent of patients had prior red blood cell transfusions. At diagnosis, selenium levels were low in 55% of the patients (n = 11) and total carnitine levels were low in 45% of the patients (n = 11). Systolic function was moderately impaired, with a mean shortening fraction of 19.38% (SD = 5.04, n = 8). After a mean follow‐up period of 6.3 ± 4.8 years, six patients were alive without being on any medications (40.0%), two were alive on medications (13.3%) and seven had died (46.7%). Limitations of the study was that it was a retrospective chart review with relatively small sample size. Retrospective chart review, relatively small sample size. This study substantiates the association between DC and EB. Currently, there is no single risk factor identified in EB patients that leads to DC. Further prospective studies are needed.
Guanabenz Sensitizes Pancreatic &bgr; Cells to Lipotoxic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis

Deficient as well as excessive/prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling can lead to pancreatic β cell failure and the development of diabetes. Saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) such as palmitate induce lipotoxic ER stress in pancreatic β cells. One of the main ER stress response pathways is under the control of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), leading to phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α). The antihypertensive drug guanabenz has been shown to inhibit eIF2α dephosphorylation and protect cells from ER stress. Here we examined whether guanabenz protects pancreatic β cells from lipotoxicity. Guanabenz induced β cell dysfunction in vitro and in vivo in rodents and led to impaired glucose tolerance. The drug significantly potentiated FFA-induced cell death in clonal rat β cells and in rat and human islets. Guanabenz enhanced FFA-induced eIF2α phosphorylation and expression of the downstream proapoptotic gene C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which mediated the sensitization to lipotoxicity. Thus, guanabenz does not protect β cells from ER stress; instead, it potentiates lipotoxic ER stress through PERK/eIF2α/CHOP signaling. These data demonstrate the crucial importance of the tight regulation of eIF2α phosphorylation for the normal function and survival of pancreatic β cells.
Age‐specific prognosis following spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B virus infection confers a favorable prognosis, but untoward outcomes may develop in some patients. The impact of the age of HBeAg seroconversion on prognosis is not clearly known. HBeAg‐positive patients with biopsy‐proven chronic hepatitis B were followed up long‐term. Follow‐up studies included liver biochemistry, alpha‐fetoprotein, and ultrasonography every 3 to 6 months or more frequently if clinically indicated. Of the patients who underwent spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, the incidences of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance were compared between patient groups with different ages at the time of HBeAg seroconversion using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Poisson regression model. Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion was documented in 508 patients. Of the 483 patients who had no evidence of cirrhosis or HCC at the time of HBeAg seroconversion, HBeAg seroconversion occurred before age 30 in 218 patients (group A), between age 31 and 40 in 199 patients (group B), and after age 40 in 66 patients (group C). The 15‐year cumulative incidences of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC increased with increasing age of HBeAg seroconversion, the lowest being in group A (31.2%, 3.7%, and 2.1%, respectively) and highest being in group C (66.7% [P < 0.0001], 42.9% [P <0.0001], and 7.7% [P = 0.29], respectively). The hazard ratio of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC was 2.95, 17.6, and 5.22, respectively, in group C compared with group A. Conclusion: Patients with HBeAg seroconversion before age 30 have excellent prognosis, whereas patients with delayed HBeAg seroconversion after age 40 have significantly higher incidences of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Evidence for Multiple Pathologic and Protective Mechanisms of Murine Cerebral Malaria

ABSTRACT Murine cerebral malaria (CM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA kills susceptible mice within 24 to 48 h of onset of symptoms and is characterized by the production of inflammatory cytokines in the brain. C57BL/6J mice are sensitive to lethal CM, while A/J mice are resistant. These strains of mice were immunized with an adjuvant vaccine of killed whole-blood-stage parasites. The immunization protected C57BL/6 mice from lethal CM following virulent challenge. The same immunization increased the incidence of lethal CM in A/J mice challenged similarly. Histopathologic examination of the brains of mice from these studies revealed two distinct types of lesions. Type I CM is acute in onset; usually lethal; and characterized by widespread microglial activation, endothelial cell damage, and microvascular disruption in the brain. Type II CM is characterized by intense, but focal, mononuclear cell inflammation without endothelial cell damage or microvascular destruction. Animals with type II lesions were clinically normal and protected from type I lesions. Available clinical, epidemiological, and biochemical evidence suggests that type I and type II lesions might exist in human CM as well.
Unemployment in Europe: What does it take to bring it down? 1

Unemployment in Europe is not only “too high”. It is also too different across countries, belonging to a monetary union. In this paper we i) document this increasing heterogeneity, ii) try to explain it, and iii) draw from our diagnosis indications as to the appropriate set of policies to reduce unemployment and labour market disparities. Our analysis suggests that the divergence in labour market outcomes across Europe is the by-product of interactions between, on the one hand, the size and nature of shocks, and, on the other hand, country-specific labour market institutions. We argue that EU policy co-ordination and conditionality during the Great Recession and the Euro debt crisis did not properly take into account these interactions. We also propose a change in the European policy approach to fight unemployment.
Back-projection estimates of the number of dependent heroin users in Australia.

AIMS To plan an appropriate response to heroin use in Australia, good estimates are needed of the numbers of dependent heroin users, the group who are most in need of treatment, most at risk of fatal opioid overdose and most at risk of contracting and transmitting blood-borne viruses. METHODS Back-projection methods were used to estimate the numbers of people starting dependent heroin injecting in Australia between 1960 and 1997. Separate analyses were based on national opioid overdose deaths and numbers of new entrants to methadone treatment in New South Wales (NSW). Estimates of the rates at which dependent heroin users cease heroin use, commence methadone treatment or die from opioid overdoses were estimated from external data sources. RESULTS Back-projection estimates derived from opioid overdose deaths indicated that there were 104 000 (lower limit of 72 000 and upper limit of 157 000) people who were heroin dependent in Australia between 1960 and 1997. Of these it was estimated that 67 000 (39 000-120 000) were still heroin dependent at the end of 1997. Back-projection estimates based on numbers of new entrants to methadone treatment in NSW indicated that there were 108 000 (82 000-141 000) heroin-dependent people in Australia between 1960 and 1997, of whom 71 000 (47 000-109 000) were estimated to be heroin dependent at the end of 1997. Both analyses indicated that the number of heroin-dependent people in Australia has increased substantially from the early 1970s onwards. CONCLUSIONS Back-projection estimates based on analyses of treatment entries and opioid overdose deaths provide an additional method for estimating the numbers of heroin-dependent people in the population. The addition of these methods to existing methods, using different data sources and statistical methods, should improve consensus estimates of the numbers of heroin-dependent people.
Phase Wave Velocities and Displacement Phase Differences in a Harmonically Oscillating Pile

Analytical solutions are developed for harmonic wave propagation in an axially or laterally oscillating pile embedded in homogeneous soil and excited at the top. Pilesoil interaction is realistically represented through a dynamic Winkler model, the springs and dashpots of which are given values based on results of finite element analyses with the soil treated as a linear hysteretic continuum. Closed form expressions are derived for the phase velocities of the generated waves; these are compared with characteristic phase velocities in rods and beams subjected to compressionextension (axial) and flexural (lateral) vibrations. The role of radiation and material damping is elucidated; it is shown that the presence of such damping radically changes the nature of wave propagation, especially in lateral oscillations where an upward propagating (reflected) wave is generated even in a semi-infinite head-loaded pile. Solutions are then developed for the phase differences between pile displacements at various depths. For most piles such differences are not significant and waves emanate nearly simultaneously from the periphery of an oscillating pile. This conclusion is useful in analysing dynamic pile to pile interaction, the consequences of which are shown in this Paper.
Long-Term Monitoring of Tribolium castaneum Populations in Two Flour Mills: Rebound After Fumigation

ABSTRACT Structural fumigations of food processing plants to manage stored-product insects has been a major component of pest management programs, but limited information on field efficacy is available. Efficacy, based on pheromone trapping data, consists of initial reduction in captures after treatment and rebound in trap captures over time. Pattern of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) rebound was evaluated after 21 fumigations in two flour mills. Rebound in mean number of beetles captured and the probability of a trap capturing one or more beetles was evaluated. Rebound to a threshold mean beetle capture of 2.5 beetles per trap per 2-wk period took 174 ± 33 d and rebound took longer after fall (248 ± 50 d) than spring (104 ± 21 d) fumigations. Rebound to the probability of capture threshold of 0.50 was 120 ± 21 d, but there was no significant effect of season. Improvement in integrated pest management (IPM) practices in one of the mills was associated with an increase in time to reach mean beetle capture threshold (49 ± 15 d before and 246 ± 71 d after) but not in time to reach the probability of capture threshold (38 ± 14 d before and 165 ± 46 d after). There was a negative correlation between number captured after fumigation and time to rebound to threshold. After improved IPM there was a significant reduction in the number of beetles per trap immediately after fumigation. Above these two thresholds the degree of change in trap captures is significantly greater than below, which suggests they might be useful in evaluating risk in a pest management program.