Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Association of Serum Galectin‐3 Levels with Atrial Electrical and Structural Remodeling

Left atrial (LA) interstitial fibrosis is known to have a role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of galectin‐3 in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis has been demonstrated in previous studies. We aimed to determine whether serum galectin‐3 level is associated with markers of atrial remodeling, including the extent of LA fibrosis detected by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE‐MRI) and atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) in paroxysmal AF patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) functions.
Gredos goats' milk cheese: microbiological and chemical changes throughout ripening

Gredos cheese is a farm-made variety manufactured from raw goats' milk in central Spain. Milk at 25-30 °C is filtered through a cheese cloth and liquid animal rennet is added. No lactic cultures are inoculated into the milk. Coagulation takes place in 1-5-2-5 h. The curd is cut to rice grain or even lower size, left to settle in the bottom of the vat and the whey is removed 10 min later. Curd is scooped into cleaned moulds made out ofCeltis australis bark and pressed by hand in the moulds. Cheeses ~ 150 mm diam. and 60 mm high are obtained. They are dry salted after 2 and 6 h, the excess salt being washed out after 24 h. After ripening for 15 d at 8-10 °C and 80-90% relative humidity, cheeses are immersed in olive oil and held for at least 45 d at 8-10 °C. In the present work we have investigated the changes in the main microbial groups and in the chemical characteristics during ripening of Gredos cheese.
Regulation of T Helper Cell Differentiation In Vivo by GP43 from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Provided by Different Antigen‐Presenting Cells

Paracoccidioidomycosis, endemic in Latin America, is a progressive systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The infection can evolve into different clinical forms that are associated with various degrees of suppressed cell‐mediated immunity. Assuming that the effector immune response is a consequence of the preferential activation of either Th1 or Th2 subsets, in the present work we evaluated whether the nature of antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) can influence the Th1/Th2 balance in vivo. It was observed that the injection of mature dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages and B cells primed the mice and induced a proliferation of T cells in vitro. It was seen that DCs from resistant mice stimulated predominantly interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), whereas macrophages activated IL‐10, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ‐secreting T cells and B cells IL‐4 and IL‐10 only. Results presented here clearly demonstrate that DC drives the development of cells secreting Th1‐derived cytokines, whereas B cells induce the differentiation of a Th2 phenotype in vivo.
Toxicity and Antileishmanial Activity of a New Stable Lipid Suspension of Amphotericin B

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity and the activity of a new lipid complex formulation of amphotericin B (AMB) (LC-AMB; dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and AMB) that can be produced by a simple process. Like other lipid formulations, this new complex reduced both the hemolytic activity of AMB (the concentration causing 50% hemolysis of human erythrocytes, >100 μg/ml) and its toxicity toward murine peritoneal macrophages (50% inhibitory concentration, >100 μg/ml at 24 h). The in vivo toxicity of the new formulation (50% lethal dose,> 200 mg/kg of body weight for CD1 mice) was similar to those of other commercial lipid formulations of AMB. The complex was the most effective formulation against the DD8 strain of Leishmania donovani. It was unable to reverse the resistance of an AMB-resistant L. donovani strain. In vivo LC-AMB was less efficient than AmBisome against L. donovani.
The Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-associated JAK2 L611S Mutant Induces Tumorigenesis in Nude Mice*

JAK2 plays important roles in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes including cell migration, proliferation, and protection from apoptosis. Recently the L611S point mutation in JAK2 has been identified in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here we analyzed the mechanism by which JAK2 exhibits its oncogenicity. In BaF3 murine hematopoietic cells, L611S mutant increased the expression of antiapoptotic proteins including X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, inhibitor of apoptosis protein, and Bcl-XL. We also showed that JAK2 L611S mutant protects BaF3 cells from cytokine withdrawal-induced apoptotic cell death and leads to cytokine-independent cell growth. Furthermore BaF3 cells expressing JAK2 L611S mutant gained the ability to induce tumorigenesis in nude mice. The L611S mutant also exhibited malignancy, including prompt invasion and spreading into various organs, leading to rapid lethality of the mice. Finally we showed that a specific JAK2 inhibitor, AG490, potently inhibited cytokine-independent cell growth induced by JAK2 L611S mutant via the induction of apoptotic cell death. In addition, treatment with AG490 significantly inhibited the JAK2 L611S mutant-induced tumorigenesis in nude mice. Thus, our results both in vitro and in vivo strongly suggest that L611S mutant of JAK2 harbors potent oncogenic activity, and this probably requires the antiapoptotic signaling pathway.
Adult height after growth hormone (GH) treatment for GH deficiency due to cranial irradiation.

BACKGROUND The indications and factors affecting the growth in response to treatment with growth hormone (GH) of patients with cranial irradiation-induced GH deficiency remain unclear. PROCEDURE The adult heights of 56 patients treated with GH (0.4-0.6 U/kg/week) as daily sc injections were analysed. They had been given 18 or 24 Grays (Gy) cranial irradiation for leukemia (group 1, 26 cases), 50 +/- 1 Gy for various tumors (group 2, 13 cases), 46 +/- 1 Gy for retinoblastoma (group 3, 8 cases), or 34 +/- 2 Gy with spinal irradiation for medulloblastoma (group 4, 9 cases). Twenty- five of these 56 patients had early puberty and were also treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog. RESULTS The standing (-1.0 +/- 0.2 in group 1, -0.7 +/- 0.3 in group 2, -1.1 +/- 0.3 in group 3, and -2.0 +/- 0.4 SD in group 4) and sitting (-1.8 +/- 0.2 in group 1, -0.4 +/- 0.4 in group 2, -1.2 +/- 0.4 in group 3, and -3. 4 +/-0.4 SD in group 4) adult heights were shor ter (P < 0.05 for standing and P < 0.001 for sitting heights) for group 4 than for each of the other groups. Of the 47 patients given cranial (and not craniospinal) irradiation, sitting adult height was shorter (P = 0. 02) and the difference between standing adult and target heights greater (P = 0.03) in those patients in whom puberty occurred at a normal age than in those treated with GnRH analog. Conclusion. The incomplete catch-up of growth seems to be mainly due to the reduction in sitting height of patients given spinal irradiation and in whom puberty occurred at a normal age. This suggests that GnRH analog treatment should be more widely used to treat children with early and/or rapidly progressing puberty after cranial irradiation.
Chronic Exposure to Innocuous Antigen in Sensitized Mice Leads to Suppressed Airway Eosinophilia That Is Reversed by Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor1

In this study we investigated the impact of chronic allergen exposure on airway inflammation and humoral responses in sensitized mice. We observed marked eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage, lung tissue, and peripheral blood after 2 wk of exposure. In contrast, eosinophilia was markedly reduced by 3 wk and completely resolved by 4 wk of exposure, despite the continued presence of Ag. Decreases in airway eosinophilia were associated with a robust humoral response. We observed that levels of OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a increased during the course of exposure. To assess whether continuous exposure to Ag impacts the ability of the lung to respond to subsequent Ag challenge, mice were exposed to either 2 or 4 wk of OVA in the context of GM-CSF. All groups were then rested for 28 days and exposed to OVA on three consecutive days. We observed a significant decrease in airway eosinophilia and IL-5 expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage and serum in mice initially exposed to 4 wk of OVA, compared with animals exposed to 2 wk only. However, in both groups expression of B7.2 on dendritic cells as well as CD25, CD69, and T1/ST2 on CD4+ T cells was enhanced, suggesting immune activation. Delivery of rGM-CSF fully restored airway eosinophilia. This study shows that exposure to innocuous Ag alone does not lead to persistent eosinophilic airway inflammation, but rather to abrogated eosinophilia. This suppression can be reversed by GM-CSF.
Correlation of physiological subgroupings of nonpyramidal cells with parvalbumin- and calbindinD28k-immunoreactive neurons in layer V of rat frontal cortex.

1. To test the hypothesis that physiologically and morphologically different cortical nonpyramidal cells express different calcium-binding proteins, whole-cell current-clamp recording in vitro was combined with intracellular staining and double immunofluorescence in layer V of frontal cortex of rats 16-20 days old. 2. Nonpyramidal cells were first characterized as fast-spiking (FS) or low-threshold spike (LTS) cells, injected with biocytin, and subsequently stained immunohistochemically for parvalbumin and calbindinD28k. 3. FS cells were identified by input resistances < 350 M omega, spike width at half amplitude < 0.8 ms, and virtually no spike frequency adaptation of spike trains by depolarizing pulses. LTS cells were identified by input resistances > 350 M omega, spike width at half amplitude > 0.8 ms, and the discharge of low-threshold spikes from hyperpolarized potentials. Repetitive firing could be induced by a combination of stimulation-induced excitatory postsynaptic potentials with depolarization in FS cells. Repetitive firing was not observed in LTS cells under these conditions. 4. After biocytin injection of layer V cells characterized in this way, subsequent double immunostaining showed that all biocytin-labeled parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells (n = 18) belonged to the FS cells (FS-PV cells), whereas all biocytin-labeled calbindinD28k-immunoreactive cells (n = 10) belonged to the LTS cells (LTS-Calb cells). 5. FS-PV cells had smooth or sparsely spiny dendrites, whereas LTS-Calb cells had dendrites with a modest number of spines but fewer than pyramidal cells. FS-PV cells showed denser axonal branches near their somata and extended axons in a more horizontal direction. Some of them could be identified as basket cells by the presence of terminal boutons surrounding somata of other cells. LTS-Calb cells extended their main axons more vertically up to layer I. 6. Double immunofluorescent staining revealed that very few cells in layer V showed immunoreactivity for both calcium-binding proteins but that most cells immunoreactive for the calcium-binding proteins in layer V were also immunoreactive for gamma-aminobutyric acid. 7. These results suggest that GABAergic nonpyramidal cells in layer V of neocortex can be divided into two functional groups on the basis of different firing modes, axonal distributions, and calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity: 1) FS-PV cells show repetitive firing by synaptic activation, have axonal arborizations that are more dense near their somata and oriented horizontally, and the cells exhibit parvalbumin immunoreactivity and 2) LTS cells show low-threshold spikes, have more vertical axonal arborizations up to layer I, and exhibit calbindinD28K immunoreactivity.
Postoperative anatomic and functional results of homograft cartilage tympanoplasty

after the surgery. The results of the surgery were determined by otoscopic examinations and audiometric tests. RESULTS: One month after the surgery, there were no cases of retraction pocket, adhesive otitis, recurrent cholesteatoma, membrane re-perforation and cartilage atrophy. 6 months after surgery 20 patients (50%) had a normal tympanic membrane, 15 patients (37.5%) had some degrees of cartilage atrophy that was not associated with pathologic changes, and 5 patients (12.5%) had retraction pocket. Reperforation, recurrent cholesteatoma and adhesive otitis were not observed in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrated that homograft cartilage tympanoplasty is an effective technique for tympanic membrane closure and prevention of retraction pocket cholesteatoma with acceptable hearing results.
The role of online product reviews on information adoption of new product development professionals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of features involving online product reviews (OPRs) on information adoption by new product developers (NPDs). Design/methodology/approach – In total, 143 OPRs on a specific product on Amazon.com were collected as the sample of this study. Using content analysis ratings and observed data in OPRs, the research model was analyzed with the partial least squares (PLS) method. Findings – Results suggest that helpfulness rating and the degree of referencing are positively associated with NPDs’ information adoption, while the extremeness of product rating is negatively associated. Moreover, title attractiveness mitigates the negative relationship between the extremeness of product rating and information adoption. Practical implications – The findings provide interesting insight for NPDs who visit e-commerce sites to learn through electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) communication. OPRs with a higher degree of referencing, higher helpfulness rating, moder.
Health State Preferences of Persons with Anxiety

Abstract We compared patient ratings of the desirability of anxiety health states with measures of psychological distress and functional status and investigated how these ratings predicted treatment by primary care and mental health clinicians. As expected, associations between desirability ratings and psychological and physical health status were low to moderate. Persons who rated their current anxiety health state as more desirable received fewer mental health referrals and were statistically more likely to receive a prescription for psychotropic medication. Simple ratings of health state desirability may help clinicians evaluate patients' views of their health status and discuss potential treatment options.
Struggle Over Joint Audit: On Behalf of Public Interest?

European Commission (EC 2011) has recently suggested joint audit - broadly defined as an audit where two independent auditors are jointly liable for the audit report - as a way a way to increase audit quality after the financial crisis and to mitigate audit market concentration, by enlarging the audit offer. Big 4 audit firms have fought this proposal by arguing its unbearable cost while 2nd Tier audit firms have supported it by arguing its added quality. This conflicting position leads us to question their claim of public interest concern. As group-interest economic regulation theories predict that the absence of any effect of a new regulation (here: joint audit) is an evidence of a group rather than a public-interest concern, we test both cost and quality arguments. We perform our main analysis on Denmark (2002-2010), which gave up the mandatory joint audit in 2005. We test the impact of joint audit on both audit costs proxied by audit fees or total fees and audit quality proxied by abnormal accruals. Our results confirm 1) the non-significance association between fees (either audit fees or total fees) and joint audit, and 2) the non-significance association between abnormal accrual and joint audit. We then apply the same approach on a matched French-German sample to assess the arguments based on the French case, as France is characterized by a long tradition of joint audit. We find 1) similar results for audit quality (no significant differences between both countries regarding abnormal accrual in France); and 2) higher fees (audit fees and total fees) in France. However, as given the impossibility to disentangle the effect of joint audit from other institutional differences (as for instance the ban of joint provision of audit and non-audit services in France), we conclude that any argument based on the French case only is dubious. As given the non significance of the hypothesized positive association between joint audit and audit cost or quality, we conclude that arguments raised by both parties relate more to the defense of their private interest than the public (firms or shareholders') interests. The results are of interest for regulators and actors in the audit market.
Exposure of resident sparrows to West Nile virus evidenced in South Tunisia

SUMMARY During the last few years, several cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in humans have been reported in Tunisia. However, detailed information on WNV infection in wild birds, the primary amplifying host of WNV, are lacking. In this work, we investigated the exposure of wild sparrows (hybrid Passer domesticus × hispaniolensis) living in two oases in southern Tunisia (Gabès and Kébili oases) to WNV, through the detection of WNV-specific antibodies by using ELISA and microneutralization tests. In total, 208 birds were sampled (54 from Kébili, 154 from Gabès). Anti-WNV antibodies were detected in two birds, corresponding to an overall seroprevalence of 1%. There was no significant difference between the two sampled populations [1·85% (1/54) in Kébili, 0·65% (1/154) in Gabès]. These data provide indirect evidence of the exposure of resident sparrows in southern Tunisia to WNV.
Editorial: Engaging the private sector for tuberculosis control: much advocacy on a meagre evidence base

Advocacy on engaging the private sector in tuberculosis (TB) control is mounting. In the newly launched six-point Stop TB Strategy WHO makes an urgent appeal to engage private care providers. Even more recently this was supplanted by a guide on how to involve all care providers in TB control through different Public-Private Mix (PPM) approaches. At the same time the body of evidence on the effectiveness of such approaches although growing remains rather weak: It has been summarized in a review of PPM-DOTS pilot studies in Kenya Vietnam and India by Lonnroth et al. a review of PPM pilot studies in India by Dewan et al. a first economic evaluation of a PPM initiative in India and a review by Lonnroth et al. focusing on the contractual component of PPM pilot initiatives across the globe. The earlier review of four PPM-DOTS projects in Vietnam Kenya and India by Lonnroth et al. supports the notion that engagement of the private sector may accelerate the achievement of goals for global tuberculosis control. However a closer look at the data presented reveals a wide variation of effect on case detection with a median of 5.49 (Q1 = 1.19; Q3 = 10.76) new cases notified per private provider per year and a lack of information on the percentage of cases (out of the total notified in the pilot areas) that was detected by these providers. Context specific factors evidently mattered much and the authors further suggested that to ensure impact the national TB control program (NTP) must be strongly committed. Supporting supervising and evaluating PPM projects and investing time and effort to ensure sufficient dialogue amongst all stakeholders was essential to help build trust and to achieve agreement on how to collaborate. (authors)
Construct Validity and Generalizability of Pediatrics Clerkship Evaluation at a Problem-Based Medical School, Bahrain

The aim of this study is to identify the sources of construct validity evidence and determine generalizability of the scores given to medical students on pediatrics clerkship evaluation at the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (CMMS-AGU). The CMMS-AGU is a problem-based medical school in Bahrain. The sample was composed of 140 students. Validity evidence and generalizability theory were sought. Results indicated that pediatrics clerkship evaluation at CMMS-AGU has content validity. Some limitations may have occurred in response process, but the students performance was observed directly by the tutors. There was evidence of range restriction and ``halo'' effect. Interrater reliability was 0.74, and the generalizability coefficient for three raters was 0.61. Students' contribution to the variance component of the global clerkship evaluation scores was 24%. Decision study indicated that seven tutors are required to achieve a generalizability coefficient of about 0.80. In conclusion, this study indicated that the pediatrics clerkship evaluation at the CMMS-AGU has, overall, some acceptable content and internal structure evidence of validity and that the raters are the major source of error. To improve the construct validity, there is a need to increase the number of raters and to train raters about the proper process of clerkship evaluation.
Elevated plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in autistic youngsters: stimulus for a GABA hypothesis of autism.

BACKGROUND Autistic Disorder is an early-onset developmental disorder with severe lifelong impact on social functioning, communication, and behavior. There is currently no marker or cure. The pathophysiology and etiology are obscure. Evidence for abnormal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function in Autistic Disorders is limited. A few case-reports and small studies have reported differences in GABA levels in plasma, platelets, and urine, compared to controls. Further studies on abnormalities of GABA function in Autistic Disorder are warranted. MATERIAL/METHODS Plasma GABA levels were measured using a new and sensitive technique, based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, in a small group of youngsters with Autistic Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Participants were outpatients between ages 5-15, satisfying modern criteria for these disorders. RESULTS Elevated plasma GABA levels were found in youngsters with Autistic Disorder. Psychotropic medications did not seem to affect plasma GABA levels in this study. Plasma GABA levels decreased with age. CONCLUSIONS Elevated plasma GABA levels may be a biochemical marker of Autistic Disorder. This study supports the hypothesis that GABAergic mechanisms play a role in the etiology or pathophysiology of Autistic Disorder. However, the hypothesis remains unspecified owing to lack of research. Future studies on the clinical associations of seizure disorders, mood disorders, and catatonia in autistic people may provide the necessary data to formulate a coherent theory of GABA dysfunction in Autistic Disorder. More trials of medication with known or suspected effects on GABA function are warranted.
Teenage Suicide in King County, Washington: II. Comparison with Adult Suicides

&NA; The 25 teenage suicides that occurred in King County, Washington, during 1983 and 1984 were compared with the 158 adult suicides that occurred during 1984. The comparison included the following features: sex, race, declaration of intent, motive, method, isolation, alcohol or drug intoxication at the time of death, prior suicide threats and attempts, counseling history and diagnosis, and family history of suicide. For the teens, we also queried school or employment status, anxiety‐producing experiences, symptoms of depression, marital history of the parents, and number and order of siblings.