Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of human tick‐borne encephalitis virus from Sweden

Viruses of the tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) antigenic complex, within the family Flaviviridae, cause a variety of diseases including uncomplicated febrile illness, meningo‐encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever. Different wildlife species act as reservoir hosts with ixodid tick species as vectors. TBE virus (TBEV) causes 40–130 cases confirmed serologically in Sweden each year. Characteristics of TBEV strains circulating in Sweden have not been investigated previously and no viral sequence data has been reported. In the present study, virus strains were isolated from serum of patients with clinical symptoms consistent with acute TBEV infection. Serologic characterisation, using a panel of E‐specific monoclonal antibodies and cross‐neutralisation tests, indicated that the Swedish strains of TBEV, isolated 1958–1994, all belonged to the Western TBEV subtype, which includes the Austrian vaccine strain Neudoerfl. Genetic analysis of a partial E‐sequence confirmed this close relationship: all Swedish TBEV strains belonged to the European lineage of the Western TBEV subtype, which includes the previously characterised strains Neudoerfl, Hypr, and Kumlinge. Further, three Swedish strains showed partial E‐sequences identical to that of the Finnish Kumlinge strain, ten Swedish strains formed a well‐supported separate cluster, whereas four others did not show any real clustering. No apparent correlation was observed in comparison of clinical parameters with genetic data or geographic origin of the strains. J. Med. Virol. 71:610–621, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Prevalence of blaPER-1 and blaVEB-1 Genes Among ESBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates in West of Iran

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. Resistance of P. aeruginosa strains to the broad-spectrum cephalosporins may be caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns and prevalence of PER-1 and VEB-1 type genes among ESBL producing strains of P. aeruginosa. Material and Methods: A total of 106 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from two university hospitals in Hamadan, Iran, during a7-month study (2009). The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was determined by disc diffusion method and interpreted according to the clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) recommendations. Production of ESBL was determined by combined disk test and presence of PER-1 and VEB-1 type ESBL genes was identified by PCR. Results: The resistance against broad-spectrum cephalosporins and monobactames were: cefepime (97%), cefotaxime (92.5%) ceftazidime (51%), and aztreonam (27%). Ciprofloxacin (91.5%), imipenem (84.9%) and meropenem (82.1%) were the most effective anti-pseudomonas agents in this study. The results revealed that 88.7% of the isolates were multidrug resistant, 58.25% of those were ESBL positive. Sixteen (26.6%), 9 (15%) and 3 (5%) strains among ESBL-producing strains contained blaPER-1, blaVEB and blaPER-1-blaVEB, respectively. Conclusions: This study highlighted the need to establish antimicrobial resistance surveillance networks for P. aeruginosa to determine the appropriate empirical treatment regimens. The high prevalence of multidrug resistance and production of ESBLs in P. aeruginosa isolates conﬁrms the necessity of protocols considering these issues in the hospitals.
Safety of lower extremity neurodynamic exercises in adults with diabetes mellitus: a feasibility study

Objectives: Neurodynamic exercises aim to improve neural mechanosensitivity in order to promote pain-free movement and function. People with diabetes mellitus (DM) may be candidates for neurodynamic exercises to address common DM-related impairments such as reduced lower extremity range of motion (ROM) and altered neural mechanosensitivity. However, no studies have examined the safety and immediate effects of neurodynamic exercise in people with DM. This study aims to determine the feasibility of applying neurodynamic exercises in adults with DM by evaluating the rate of adverse events and quantifying immediate changes in straight leg raise (SLR) ROM. Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 20 people with DM who performed a series of neurodynamic exercises on their right leg. Their left leg was used as an internal control. SLR testing was performed before and immediately after these exercises. Adverse events were monitored, including provocation of their neuropathy symptoms or discomfort or pain. Results: All participants completed the neurodynamic exercises without provocation of their neuropathy symptoms. No pain was reported and only one participant had minor discomfort with one exercise; a <30-s calf cramp. The right SLR ROM increased by an average of 5.2°–5.3° (p < 0.01) with no change on the left. Discussion: This study demonstrated that lower extremity neurodynamic exercises are safe in adults with DM and may create small immediate improvements in SLR testing. Further research is indicated to investigate the safety and efficacy of neurodynamic exercises performed over multiple sessions. Level of evidence: 3b
Meta‐Analytic Research in Management: Contemporary Approaches, Unresolved Controversies, and Rising Standards

Early meta‐analyses in management research sought primarily to resolve seemingly conflicting findings by estimating a relationship’s population‐level effect size. Since then, management researchers have adopted increasingly sophisticated approaches that permit new theorizing, testing and comparing sophisticated models, and identifying boundary conditions. We summarize three of these approaches – i.e., qualitative meta‐analysis (QMA), meta‐analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM), and meta‐analytic regression analysis (MARA) – along with the special issue papers that adopt each approach. We conclude by raising three unresolved controversies that we believe deserve more attention and by offering our thoughts about how to maximize a meta‐analytic study’s chances for publication and impact.
Proteinuria in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and proteinuria, but are limited in their ability to assess proteinuria accurately, to adjust for confounders such as obesity, or to exclude confidently underlying renal disease in patients with OSA and nephrotic-range proteinuria. METHODS The spot urine protein/creatinine ratio was measured in a prospective consecutive series of 148 patients referred for polysomnography who were not diabetic and had not been treated previously for OSA. The urine protein/creatinine ratio was compared across four levels of OSA severity, based on the frequency of apneas and hypopneas per hour: <5 (absent), 5 to 14.9 (mild), 15 to 29.9 (moderate), and > or =30 (severe). RESULTS The median level of urine protein/creatinine ratio in all categories of OSA was <0.2 (range 0.03 to 0.69; median 0.06 in patients with normal apnea hypopnea index, 0.06, 0.07, 0.07 in patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively). Eight subjects had a urine protein/creatinine ratio greater than 0.2. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between urine protein/creatinine ratio and older age (P < 0.0001), hypertension (P < 0.0001), coronary artery disease (P = 0.003), and arousal index (P = 0.003). Body mass index (P = 0.16), estimated creatinine clearance (P = 0.17), and apnea hypopnea index (P = 0.13) were not associated with the urine protein/creatinine ratio. In multiple regression analysis, only age and hypertension were independent positive predictors of the urine protein/creatinine ratio (P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.17). CONCLUSION Clinically significant proteinuria is uncommon in sleep apnea. Nephrotic range proteinuria should not be ascribed to sleep apnea and deserves a thorough renal evaluation.
Lack of Significant Correlation between Rhinosinusitis Symptoms and Specific Regions of Sinus Computer Tomography Scans

Background The sinonasal computer tomography (CT) scan is frequently used to help confirm the diagnosis of rhinosinusitis. However, little data exist correlating patient symptoms with CT findings. Methods Immediately preceding CT of the sinuses, 94 subjects without evidence of trauma, nasal tumors, or previous sinus surgery completed the Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure 31 symptom questionnaire and were asked to locate areas of facial pain or pressure. CT scans were graded according to the Lund-MacKay system, and agger nasi and ethmoid bulla cells were measured. Data from CT scans and symptom/pain questionnaire responses were analyzed for significant correlations. Results No correlation was identified when comparing total Lund-MacKay scores, opacification of individual sinuses, and size of the agger nasi and ethmoid bulla cells with the Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure 31 subset scores and areas of facial pain or pressure. Conclusion The sinus CT scan is a necessary tool for preoperative planning; however, it should not be used to predict symptoms or to localize areas responsible for facial pain or pressure.
Oil Price and Inflation in Iran: Non-Linear ARDL Approach

In this paper we study the relationship between oil price (or revenue) changes and inflation rate in Iran seasonally in 2003-2015. Method of the study was able to identify asymmetry of oil price and inflation which is recognized as nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model. Estimated model clarified nonlinear effect of oil price on inflation. Clearly, we found out that there was significant relationship between the reduction in oil price and inflation growth while there was no significant relationship between increase in oil price growth and inflation rate.
Procedure for quantitative comparison of ground reaction data

An analytical method for quantitative and detailed comparison of different ground reaction force patterns is described. It is based on suitable processing of the 3-D components of the ground reaction force and is essentially composed of three main steps: verification of the regular recurrence of measurement conditions, normalization, and data comparison. The first step is to check that the acquired data are not affected by inertial predominance in the direction of progression. Normalization involves the amplitude of force, the application point displacements and the stance-phase duration. Data comparison utilizes a dedicated implementation of an appropriate statistical approach to estimate significant differences between two suitable and typical ground reaction force patterns. Two practical cases are presented in detail to demonstrate the entire analytical procedure. <<ETX>>
Assessing the Tendency of Fluorescent Proteins to Oligomerize Under Physiologic Conditions

Several fluorescent proteins (FPs) are prone to forming low‐affinity oligomers. This undesirable tendency is exacerbated when FPs are confined to membranes or when fused to naturally oligomeric proteins. Oligomerization of FPs limits their suitability for creating fusions with proteins of interest. Unfortunately, no standardized method evaluates the biologically relevant oligomeric state of FPs. Here, we describe a quantitative visual assay for assessing whether FPs are sufficiently monomeric under physiologic conditions. Membrane‐associated FP‐fusion proteins, by virtue of their constrained planar geometry, achieve high effective concentrations. We exploited this propensity to develop an assay to measure FP tendencies to oligomerize in cells. FPs were fused on the cytoplasmic end of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signal‐anchor membrane protein (CytERM) and expressed in cells. Cells were scored based on the ability of CytERM to homo‐oligomerize with proteins on apposing membranes and restructure the ER from a tubular network into organized smooth ER (OSER) whorl structures. The ratio of nuclear envelope and OSER structures mean fluorescent intensities for cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or monomeric green fluorescent protein (mGFP) CytERM established standards for comparison of uncharacterized FPs. We tested three FPs and identified two as sufficiently monomeric, while a third previously reported as monomeric was found to strongly oligomerize.
2‐acetylaminofluorene dose‐dependent differentiation of rat oval cells into hepatocytes: Confocal and electron microscopic studies

The 2‐acetylaminofluorene (AAF)/partial hepatectomy (PH) model is one of the most extensively studied experimental systems for oval cell proliferation and differentiation. We have previously described the oval cells as forming ductular structures surrounded by basement membrane, representing extensions of the canals of Hering. Herein we analyze the differentiation of oval cells into hepatocytes after varying degrees of liver damage induced by AAF. At a low dose of AAF, most oval cells synchronously differentiate into small hepatocytes by 6 days after the PH, resulting in complete restoration of the liver structure in 10 days. Higher doses of AAF delay the differentiation process and the new hepatocytes form foci, in contrast to what is observed at the low dose. Qualitatively, the differentiation process seems to be identical at the cellular level under both conditions. The transition from the expanding oval cell population into hepatocytes was correlated with the upregulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 and the disappearance of the basement membrane. Also, the differentiation of oval cells into hepatocytes coincided with the loss of alpha‐fetoprotein and OV‐6 staining, and the replacement of the biliary cell‐specific α6 integrin and connexin 43 with the hepatocyte‐specific α1 integrin and connexin 32. In addition, bile canaliculi form between the new hepatocytes. In conclusion, these results indicate the rate of oval cell differentiation into hepatocytes is context dependent and suggest that, under favorable conditions, oval cells can complete this process much faster than previously appreciated. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:1353–1361.)
Health effects from stratospheric ozone depletion and interactions with climate change

The potential health effects of elevated levels of ambient UV-B radiation are diverse, and it is difficult to quantify the risks, especially as they are likely to be considerably modified by human behaviour. Nevertheless epidemiological and experimental studies have confirmed that UV radiation is a definite risk factor for certain types of cataract, with peak efficacy in the UV-B waveband. The causal link between squamous cell carcinoma and cumulative solar UV exposure has been well established. New findings regarding the genetic basis of skin cancer, including studies on genetically modified mice, have confirmed the epidemiological evidence that UV radiation contributes to the formation of basal cell carcinomas and cutaneous melanomas. For the latter, animal models have demonstrated that UV exposure at a very young age is more detrimental than exposure in adulthood. Although suppression of certain immune responses has been recognised following UV exposure, the impact of this suppression on the control of infectious and autoimmune diseases is largely unknown. However, studies on several microbial infections have indicated significant consequences in terms of symptoms or reactivation of disease. The possibility that the immune response to vaccination could be depressed by UV-B exposure is of considerable concern. Newly emerging possibilities regarding interactions between ozone depletion and global climate change further complicate the risk assessments for human health but might result in an increased incidence of cataracts and skin cancer, plus alterations in the patterns of certain categories of infectious and other diseases.
Predictors of effective bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation for PD

To identify factors predictive of effective bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation for PD with severe motor complications, pre- and postoperative Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores were analyzed in a series of 54 patients who received bilateral STN stimulation. Younger age and levodopa responsiveness predict a favorable response to bilateral STN stimulation. For individual PD symptoms, those that improve with a suprathreshold dose levodopa challenge are likely to improve with stimulation.
Gastronomic and food tourism as an economic local resource: case studies from Romania and Italy.

The aim of this study was to contribute to the literature on food tourism by proposing the concept of place and events linked to food, and to analyze the opportunity of gastronomic tourism for local development around Romania (Sibiu Region) and Italy (Sicily Region). The materials were 336 interviews with tourists. Specially designed questionnaire allowed fast data collection. The questions were of qualitative and quantitative type, useful to encode the expressed opinions of the tourists. The results highlight the need for destination marketing organizations to pay more attention to the link between destination image and food events. It concludes that tourism practices enable the continuity of local foods, reinterpreted in the light of urban consumption. Further research is needed to explain why, despite recommend a food tourism policy integrating upon the preservation and the development of the cultural and ethnic identity, in order to attract tourists.
Water insecurity among rural households of West Cameroon: lessons learned from the field

The objective of this study was to assess and compare water access and sanitation-related behaviors with self-reported water insecurity among women. The cross-sectional study involved household observations and in-person interviews with women living in rural areas of West Cameroon (n = 134). Water insecurity was prevalent with 37% of women having affirmative responses to the statement ‘being worried about household not having enough water. ’ Only 7% of the women reported having any water source (well/pump) in the household compound, and water insecurity was more common among those who did not have an ‘on premise’ water source ( p = 0.038). Additionally, women walking more than 10 minutes to reach the water source were more insecure than their counterparts ( p = 0.022). Amount of water stored at home was lower in water insecure households (37.07 liters) compared to secure households (58.93 liters, p = 0.042). Sanitation rate was low in the study area, with 20% of women reporting open defecation for their children. Water insecurity is associated with long distance to water source and limited water availability at the household level. Future research is needed to understand the association between water insecurity and daily water intake and related dietary behaviors.
Solute transport across the peritoneal membrane.

The current understanding of the transport pathways that govern solute removal during peritoneal dialysis is reviewed. Diffusive transport rates across the peritoneal membrane for small solutes are slow. Even though the rate of diffusive solute transport decreases with increasing molecular size, large molecules (e.g., albumin) are nevertheless removed from the patient during routine peritoneal dialysis. Recent work has confirmed a previous suggestion that diffusive solute transport is limited by the small area of the peritoneal membrane that participates in the transport process. This small functional area is due to either poor contact of the peritoneal membrane with dialysis solution bathing the peritoneal cavity or to the limited surface area of capillaries that perfuse peritoneal tissues. Convective solute transport during peritoneal dialysis is proportional to the transperitoneal ultrafiltration rate but is less than that expected, because of low solute sieving by the peritoneal membrane and fluid absorption from the peritoneal cavity. Low solute sieving across the peritoneal membrane was first identified in 1966, a phenomenon that is now attributed to the presence of water-only transport pathways mediated by aquaporin-1. Fluid absorption from the peritoneal cavity occurs at the same time as transperitoneal ultrafiltration, but the pathways by which these two processes occur simultaneously remain speculative. This review proposes a novel hypothesis, whereby fluid absorption occurs in areas of the peritoneal membrane that are governed by different physical forces than those governing transperitoneal ultrafiltration. Further understanding of the pathways for fluid and solute transport during peritoneal dialysis will permit improvements in the adequacy of the dialysis dose and the more efficacious use of peritoneal dialysis to treat patients with end-stage renal disease.
Adiponectin alleviates contractile dysfunction of genioglossus in rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia

Background Genioglossal dysfuntion takes an important role in pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in which chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is the major pathological origin. Recent studies have suggested genioglossal injury induced by CIH might be improved by adiponectin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adiponectin on genioglossus contractile properties in rats exposed to CIH. Methods Thirty‐nine healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control (NC), CIH and adiponectin supplement (CIH+Ad) with 13 rats in each. Rats in NC were kept breathing normal air, while rats in CIH and CIH+Ad experienced the same CIH environment eight hours per day for 35 successive days. Rats in CIH+Ad were given intravenous adiponectin of 10 &mgr;g twice a week for 30 successive days. Rats in the NC and CIH were injected with normal saline as a control. After 35 days' CIH exposure, the levels of serum adiponectin and genioglossus contractile properties were compared. Results Serum adiponectin level was significantly lower in CIH than in NC (1210 ng/ml vs. 2236 ng/ml). Serum adiponectin level in CIH+Ad (1844 ng/ml) was significantly higher than CIH but lower than NC. Twitch tension, time to peak tension, half relaxation time and tetanic tension were significantly lower in CIH than NC and improved in CIH+Ad. All mean tetanic fatigue indices decreased more rapidly in the first 20 seconds than during the subsequent 100 seconds. Tetanic fatigue indices in NC and CIH+Ad were significantly higher compared to CIH. Conclusions CIH could lead to hypoadiponectinaemia, impaired genioglossus contractile properties and decreased fatigue resistance in rats. Such changes could be partially offset by supplementation of adiponectin.
Submaximal exercise with self-contained breathing apparatus: the effects of hyperoxia and inspired gas density.

BACKGROUND The self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used by firefighters, and other working in dangerous environments, adds an external resistance to expiration, which increases expiratory work during heavy exercise. HYPOTHESIS Compressed air is typically used with the SCBA and we hypothesized that changing the inspired oxygen concentration and/or gas density with helium would reduce the external expiratory resistance. METHODS On separate days, 15 men completed four 30-min bouts of treadmill exercise dressed in protective clothing and breathing the test gases through the SCBA. Four different gas mixtures were assigned in random order: [compressed air (NOX: 21% O2, 79% N2), hyperoxia (HOX: 40% O2, 60% N2), normoxic-helium (HE-OX: 21% O2, 79% He), and helium-hyperoxia (HE-HOX: 40% O2, 60% He)]. RESULTS Compared with NOX, the two helium mixtures (but not HOX), decreased the external breathing resistance and all three gas mixtures decreased the peak expired mask pressure and the ventilatory mass moved. Both hyperoxic mixtures decreased blood lactate and the rating of perceived exertion was decreased at 30 min with HE-HOX. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the helium-based gas mixtures, and to a lesser extent HOX, reduce the expiratory work associated with the SCBA during strenuous exercise.