Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does GSS still maintain relevance on HAART outcome after the introduction of newest active antiretroviral drugs? 48 weeks results.

BACKGROUND Since recent observations demonstrated that extended resistance to protease inhibitors, nucleosidic and non - nucleosidic retrotranscriptase inhibitors (PI, NRTI, NNRTI) is a marker of disease progression and death, it is a matter of the greatest importance that experienced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - infected patients with limited therapeutic options receive a suppressive therapy pending the availability of at least two new antiretroviral drugs. Aim of the present study is to evaluate if the GSS score, calculated by analyzing the resistance to historical antiretroviral drugs and drug classes, is still relevant since several new potent drugs and drug classes entered the current clinical use. METHODS Taking into account patients without suppression of HIV replication for ≥ 6 months from October 2008 and October 2009, we analyzed viroimmunological and resistance data of 38 outpatients starting their last antiretroviral regimen including at least one of the following: maraviroc, enfuvirtide, raltegravir, etravirine, darunavir/ritonavir or tipranavir/ritonavir. Mutations present in all available genotypic resistance tests were recorded for each patient and then correlated to GSS value, assessed using the last genotypic ribonucleic acid (RNA) resistance test. GSS was studied as predictor of virological treatment outcome by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS At 48 weeks, undetectable viral load was obtained in 80% of patients without difference between GSS classes (HIV-RNA median < 50 copies/ml); 95.8% of patients with baseline HIV-RNA < 50,000 copies/ml obtained virological suppression (p=0.003). 48 weeks CD4+ median value was 412 cells/μl considering GSS1 and 300 cells/μl for combined GSS2 and GSS3 scores. Data also showed a > 60% recurrence of specific mutations for NRTI: M41L, M184IV, L210W, T215FY, K219EQ and 75% for D67N. K103N and Y181CIV mutations for NNRTI persisted in 35% of cases and their prevalence incresed in parallel with the number of GRTs. About 60% of tests reported L10FIRVC, M36ILV, M46IL, I54VLAMTS, V82AFTSLI, and L90M mutations in the protease region. 63P mutation was found in a total number of GRTs close to 80%. This percentages, when correlated to GSS, revealed a distinct pattern for most mutations, that showed a greater prevalence for GSS = 2. Conversely, only NNRTI 181CIV and NRTI 210W showed larger numbers in GSS1 and GSS3. CONCLUSIONS Single drugs belonging to new antiretroviral classes did not correlate to viroimmunological success for any GSS. High frequency and recurrence over GRTs for specific mutations confirm their key role following the exposure to ARVs classes. A baseline HIV-RNA < 50,000 cp/ml is a predictor of therapeutic success and a carefully selected HAART based upon the evaluation of GRTs can favorably influence the immunovirologic response.
Incidence of Catatonia in Children and Adolescents in a Paediatric Psychiatric Clinic

Objective: To investigate the incidence and phenomenology of catatonia in a child and adolescent population. Method: Children and adolescents who had attended a paediatric psychiatric outpatient clinic between April and July 2001 were examined for catatonic signs with a formal catatonia rating scale, and patients who had at least two catatonic signs were included. Results: Eleven patients met the criteria (5.5% of the entire sample and 17.7% of the patients with affective and nonaffective psychotic disorder); of them eight had an affective disorder and three a nonaffective disorder. The mean catatonic scores were significantly high for males and patients with mental retardation. Conclusion: This study shows that catatonia occurs in children and adolescents. Further studies are essential to clarify the distribution of catatonia across various diagnoses and the outcome of paediatric catatonia.
Involuntary delisting in the Japanese stock market

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the wealth effect of involuntary delisting and investigate insider opportunism and the role of corporate governance, liquidity and legal environment in involuntary delisting in Japan’s stock market. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a sample of 136 involuntarily delisted firms in Japan’s stock markets between 2002 and 2012. The authors examine ownership changes of inside shareholders prior to delisting and estimate regression models for the wealth effect of involuntary delisting. Findings Involuntary delisting is highly disruptive in Japan, and limited liquidity of delisted stocks appears to be an important cause. However, the ownership reduction of inside shareholders before delisting is limited, totaling 2–3 percent. For delisted firms with an insider bank, the decrease in share price leading up to a delisting announcement is much less, while the decrease in share price upon a delisting announcement is far greater. Originality/value The study investigates involuntary delisting in regard to the opportunistic behavior of inside shareholders and the role of institutional environment in Japan’s stock market. Insiders, especially insider banks, maintain ownership in a distressful context leading to the forcible delisting of a distressed firm. The authors find some evidence that suggests that the market believes the insider bank will try to prevent the ailing firm’s insolvency. The findings are consistent with the implicit relational contracts that characterize Japanese firms.
Protective effect of curcumin, silymarin and N-acetylcysteine on antitubercular drug-induced hepatotoxicity assessed in an in vitro model

Tuberculosis (TB) is highly endemic in India. The first-line anti-TB therapy (ATT) involving isoniazid (INH), rifampicin and pyrazinamide causes hepatotoxicity in approximately 11.5% of Indian patients. Studies have shown that ATT-induced hepatotoxicity is primarily due to oxidative stress caused by the drugs and metabolites. Herbal drugs with antioxidative properties have been tested in animal studies and clinical trials for the management of hepatotoxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of curcumin (CUR), silymarin (SILY) and N-acetylcysteine (N-ACET) on hepatotoxicity by ATT drugs using an in vitro model of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). HepG2 cells were treated with ATT drugs alone or along with CUR, SILY or N-ACET for a 48-h duration. The cells were monitored for viability, morphology, respiring mitochondria and cell cycle. Our results suggest that the presence of hepatoprotective drugs during treatment of HepG2 cells with ATT drugs lowers the hepatotoxic effect of the latter. This is observed in terms of (a) increased cell viability, (b) healthy-looking cell morphology as revealed by phase contrast microscopy, (c) active respiring cells as observed with confocal microscopy upon staining with a mitochondrial membrane-specific dye, MitoTracker® Red, and reduction in the sub-G1 peak in cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry. Our results suggest that these hepatoprotective drugs need to be further explored as potential adjuvant therapy along with ATT drugs.
D(1) dopamine receptor agonists are more effective in alleviating advanced than mild parkinsonism in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine-treated monkeys.

Selective D(1) dopamine receptor agonists exert antiparkinsonian effects in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) monkey model of Parkinson's disease and in human Parkinson's disease. Motor impairment in idiopathic Parkinson's disease progresses from mild to severe, but the therapeutic potential of D(1) dopamine receptor agonists in early and advanced stages of parkinsonism is not known. To compare the effectiveness of D(1) agonists at different levels of impairment, we developed a model of mild and advanced parkinsonism in nonhuman primates and a rating scale that differentiated the two models. D(1) dopamine receptor agonists (SKF 81297, dihydrexidine) and D(2) dopamine receptor agonists [quinelorane, (+)-PHNO were administered to monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) displaying either mild parkinsonism (two doses of 0.6 mg/kg i.v. MPTP 1 month apart) or advanced parkinsonism (three doses of 0.6 mg/kg i.v. MPTP within 10 days). In normal monkeys (n = 3), SKF 81297 and dihydrexidine did not promote increased motor activity. In advanced parkinsonism (n = 4), D(1) and D(2) dopamine agonists effectively reversed the motor deficits. In contrast, the therapeutic benefits of D(1) agonists SKF 81297 and dihydrexidine were relatively limited in mild parkinsonism (n = 4). The D(2) agonists quinelorane and (+)-PHNO alleviated some symptoms in mild parkinsonism but also reduced balance and induced more dyskinesias than did D(1) agonists. Mild and advanced parkinsonism in nonhuman primates can be produced with fixed dosing regimens of MPTP. Based on the therapeutic efficacy and side effect profiles derived from these models, D(1) agonists are more promising for the treatment of advanced than of mild Parkinson's disease.
Visual rightward spatial bias varies as a function of age

Age-related changes in visual spatial biases in children, young adults, and older adults were studied with unilateral and bilateral stimulus conditions in fast-paced linguistic and non-linguistic attention tasks. Only rightward spatial biases were observed. The incidence of the biases changed as a function of age: in childhood and in old age the rightward spatial biases were more common than in young adulthood. The present rightward spatial biases were similar to those observed in the corresponding auditory spatial linguistic and non-linguistic attention tests (Takio, Koivisto, Laukka, & Hämäläinen, 2011) and in the dichotic listening forced-attention task (Takio et al., 2009). We suggest that the multimodal rightward spatial bias observed under intensive attentional load is related to a right hemispace preference and modulated by age-dependent changes in executive functions.
Classification and management of allergic rhinitis patients in general practice during pollen season

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a major challenge in primary care. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) group proposed a new classification for AR and developed evidence‐based guidelines for the management of this disease. We conducted this study to further characterize the classes of AR described by ARIA, and to evaluate whether the management of AR in general practice is in accordance with the ARIA guidelines.
Activation of Mouse Tcrb: Uncoupling RUNX1 Function from Its Cooperative Binding with ETS1

T lineage commitment requires the coordination of key transcription factors (TFs) in multipotent progenitors that transition them away from other lineages and cement T cell identity. Two important TFs for the multipotent progenitors to T lineage transition are RUNX1 and ETS1, which bind cooperatively to composite sites throughout the genome, especially in regulatory elements for genes involved in T lymphopoiesis. Activation of the TCR β (Tcrb) locus in committed thymocytes is a critical process for continued development of these cells, and is mediated by an enhancer, Eβ, which harbors two RUNX-ETS composite sites. An outstanding issue in understanding T cell gene expression programs is whether RUNX1 and ETS1 have independent functions in enhancer activation that can be dissected from cooperative binding. We now show that RUNX1 is sufficient to activate the endogenous mouse Eβ element and its neighboring 25 kb region by independently tethering this TF without coincidental ETS1 binding. Moreover, RUNX1 is sufficient for long-range promoter-Eβ looping, nucleosome clearance, and robust transcription throughout the Tcrb recombination center, spanning both DβJβ clusters. We also find that a RUNX1 domain, termed the negative regulatory domain for DNA binding, can compensate for the loss of ETS1 binding at adjacent sites. Thus, we have defined independent roles for RUNX1 in the activation of a T cell developmental enhancer, as well as its ability to mediate specific changes in chromatin landscapes that accompany long-range induction of recombination center promoters.
Cost-Effective Management of Isolated Facial Fractures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subset of costs incurred for surgical treatment of isolated midface and mandible fractures of patients admitted directly from the emergency department compared with those admitted as outpatients after evaluation and discharge from the emergency department. After institutional review board approval, the records of patients admitted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center were studied retrospectively for patients who underwent surgical repair of an isolated facial fracture between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000. Patients were placed into one of two groups: admission from the emergency department versus admission as an out-patient. Total hospital charges were compared, and complications were evaluated. Mechanism of injury, age, and gender were recorded within each group. Forty-two patients met the study criteria. Twenty-eight patients were admitted directly from the emergency department (Group A), and 14 were admitted as outpatients after elective scheduling for operative repair (Group B). Operative charges based on utilization of time and materials showed no statistical significance between Group A (P = 0.275) and Group B (P = 0.393). Patients admitted directly from the emergency department had a mean hospital charge of $3,556.66 higher (P≤0.001) and stayed 2 days longer in the hospital as compared with the outpatient group. No differences were noted in complications between the study groups. The results of this study reveal a significant decrease in cost for patients with isolated facial fractures admitted as outpatients on scheduling surgery as compared with immediate admission from the emergency department.
Time-Dependency in Producers’ Price Adjustments: Evidence from Micro Panel Data

Abstract Existing micro evidence of firms’ price changes tends to show a downward sloping hazard rate – the longer the price of a product has remained the same, the less likely it is that the price will change. Using a panel of Norwegian plant- and product-specific prices, we also find a downward sloping hazard when applying a Kaplan–Meier model. After having controlled for both observed and unobserved characteristics, we find flat hazards with spikes in the first and twelfth months. This suggests time-dependent price-setting by at least some of the producers. The spike after 12 months might be explained by seasonal demand effects, but also by the pricing season effect related to information acquisition and processing, negotiation and signing of price contracts. The revealed price adjustment pattern is at odds with the predictions of the Calvo model, a central element in many dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models, as this assumes constant frequencies of price adjustments over time. Our empirical findings instead point to a modified Calvo model where firms in some periods experience lower menu costs. Finally, the empirical findings may have implications for the effectiveness of monetary policy interventions.
Transformation of donor‐derived bone marrow precursors into host microglia during autoimmune CNS inflammation and during the retrograde response to axotomy

Macrophages in the brain can have a triple source. They may originate from recently blood‐derived precursors, from the largely resident perivascular cell population (perivascular macrophages and related cells), and from intrinsic parenchymal as well as perivascular microglia. Although continuous exchange of part of the perivascular cell population with bone marrow‐derived precursors is now accepted, the turnover of adult parenchymal microglia has remained enigmatic. Using bone‐marrow chimeras carrying an unexpressed marker gene and carbon labeling of peripheral monocyte/macrophages in a combined model of facial nerve axotomy and transfer experimental autoimmune encephalitis, we demonstrate for the first time that there is an easy to induce exchange between parenchymal central nervous system (CNS) microglia and the macrophage precursor cell pool of the bone marrow. Furthermore, very low level infiltration of the CNS parenchyma by recently bone marrow‐derived microglia could be observed after simple peripheral nerve axotomy that is followed by neuronal regeneration. Thus, microglial cells can be considered wanderers between the peripheral immune system and the CNS where they may act as a “Trojan horse” in infections. The fact that recently bone marrow‐derived parenchymal microglia fully integrate into a regenerating brain nucleus' architecture encourages entirely new approaches for delivering genes into the adult CNS. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:74–82, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Agricultural R&D Investment Gap in Latin America and the Caribbean

Given the importance of agricultural R&D investment to sustain agricultural growth in the future, this study looks at the state of agricultural R&D investment in LAC, with the goal of identifying the level of underinvestment in the region. To do this the study uses a new indicator, the ASTI Intensity Index (AII) to measure agricultural R&D intensity in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and compares research intensity with that of other regions and between countries within the region. The index can be used to identify potential under investors, determine intensity gaps and quantify R&D investment needed to close this gap by comparing countries with similar characteristics. Results obtained using a sample of 100 countries including 29 LAC countries show that despite rapid growth in R&D investment after 2004, the region shows low levels of intensity and the largest R&D intensity gap when compared to other regions. Results also show large differences between countries in the region. The Southern Cone (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay) is among the regions showing highest levels of research intensity globally. Low levels of R&D intensity in the region are explained mainly by countries in Central America and by Andean countries. Results also show that the intensity gap represents almost 75 percent of total R&D investment in 2012 and that the region will need to increase investment from $5 to $8.5 billion 2011 PPP to close the intensity gap.
Cost-effective use of rapid diagnostic techniques in the treatment and prevention of viral respiratory infections.

The most cost-effective current use of rapid respiratory virus diagnostics is through highly sensitive and specific molecular assays (mostly PCR-based) in the hospital setting or for chronically ill or immunocompromised outpatients. Specifically, this cost savings is the result of preventing hospitalization or decreasing length of hospitalization, decreasing unnecessary testing and procedures, directing specific therapy, and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. Equally important is community surveillance by informing physicians rapidly what agents are in the community. Important ongoing issues regarding the cost-effective use of these assays include the cost of reagents or machinery, reimbursement for testing, the need for reliable commercial reagents, the need for open platforms that can respond to new "emerging" or "reemerging" agents, and the need for proficiency panels to share between laboratories. Rapid molecular diagnostic assays for the detection of respiratory viruses have moved into the mainstream of clinical testing. These assays already play important roles in select populations and clinical situations for critical patient management. In addition, there are numerous clinical scenarios where the use of these assays should have a positive cost/benefit ratio. Further work needs to be done to demonstrate this benefit to society. Further development of multiplex assays and decreasing the cost of testing will help improve the benefit of these assays to clinical care. Work is underway on large multiplex molecular assays with high sensitivity and specificity that will be able to be used in an outpatient setting both because of speed and low cost. The future holds great potential for physicians. who soon may be able to answer the age-old question, "Doc, what do I have? " with more than, "You probably have a virus. "
An Ultracompact TSV-Based Common-Mode Filter (TSV-CMF) in Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits (3-D ICs)

In this paper, the radiation of signaling channel that may lead to noise coupling, electromagnetic interference or radio-frequency interference problems in three-dimensional integrated circuits (3-D ICs) is discussed. To improve the electromagnetic compatibility, a common-mode filter (CMF) based on the silicon interposer process with through-silicon vias (TSV) is proposed. A differential second-order T-model circuit for transmission lines with a common inductance is proposed to characterize and design the stopband and corresponding two transmission zeros for common mode (CM). Codesigned with through-silicon vias, this TSV-based CMF (TSV-CMF) is implemented in a cost-efficient interposer process and the measurement results match well to both the equivalent circuit model and full-wave simulation. It is measured that the differential bandwidth of the TSV-CMF can reach 25 GHz and CM stopband is around 15 GHz with 20% fractional bandwidth. In addition, the suppressing frequency and bandwidth can be easily altered and improved by using more stacked chips on the interposer.
A Proteinaceous Elicitor Sm1 from the Beneficial Fungus Trichoderma virens Is Required for Induced Systemic Resistance in Maize1[W]

We have previously shown that the beneficial filamentous fungus Trichoderma virens secretes the highly effective hydrophobin-like elicitor Sm1 that induces systemic disease resistance in the dicot cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). In this study we tested whether colonization of roots by T. virens can induce systemic protection against a foliar pathogen in the monocot maize (Zea mays), and we further demonstrated the importance of Sm1 during maize-fungal interactions using a functional genomics approach. Maize seedlings were inoculated with T. virens Gv29-8 wild type and transformants in which SM1 was disrupted or constitutively overexpressed in a hydroponic system or in soil-grown maize seedlings challenged with the pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola. We show that similar to dicot plants, colonization of maize roots by T. virens induces systemic protection of the leaves inoculated with C. graminicola. This protection was associated with notable induction of jasmonic acid- and green leaf volatile-biosynthetic genes. Neither deletion nor overexpression of SM1 affected normal growth or development of T. virens, conidial germination, production of gliotoxin, hyphal coiling, hydrophobicity, or the ability to colonize maize roots. Plant bioassays showed that maize grown with SM1-deletion strains exhibited the same levels of systemic protection as non-Trichoderma-treated plants. Moreover, deletion and overexpression of SM1 resulted in significantly reduced and enhanced levels of disease protection, respectively, compared to the wild type. These data together indicate that T. virens is able to effectively activate systemic disease protection in maize and that the functional Sm1 elicitor is required for this activity.