Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship of spontaneous passage of ureteral calculi to stone size and location as revealed by unenhanced helical CT.

OBJECTIVE Prior studies using radiography have examined the relationship of ureteral stone size and location to the probability of spontaneous passage. Given the improved accuracy and new role of unenhanced CT in the diagnosis of acute ureterolithiasis, we studied the relationship of stone size and location as determined by unenhanced CT to the rate of spontaneous passage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Over a 29-month period, 850 patients with acute flank pain were evaluated with unenhanced CT. Confirmation of the CT diagnosis was obtained retrospectively for 172 patients with ureteral stones: 115 stones passed spontaneously and 57 required intervention. Stone size was defined as the maximum diameter within the plane of the axial CT section. Stone location was classified as proximal ureter (above the sacroiliac joints), mid ureter (overlying the sacroiliac joints), distal ureter (below the sacroiliac joints), and ureterovesical junction. RESULTS The spontaneous passage rate for stones 1 mm in diameter was 87%; for stones 2-4 mm, 76%; for stones 5-7 mm, 60%; for stones 7-9 mm, 48%; and for stones larger than 9 mm, 25%. Spontaneous passage rate as a function of stone location was 48% for stones in the proximal ureter, 60% for mid ureteral stones, 75% for distal stones, and 79% for ureterovesical junction stones. CONCLUSION The rate of spontaneous passage of ureteral stones does vary with stone size and location as determined by CT. These rates are similar to those previously published based on radiography.
Postprandial Lipaemia: Effects of Sitting, Standing and Walking in Healthy Normolipidaemic Humans

Abstract Long periods of sedentary behaviour may adversely affect health irrespective of overall physical activity levels. This study compared the effects of sitting, standing and walking on postprandial lipaemia in healthy normolipidaemic Japanese men. 15 participants, aged 26.8±2.0 years (mean±SD), completed 3, 2-day trials in a random order: 1) sitting (control), 2) standing, and 3) walking. On day 1 of the sitting trial, participants rested. On day 1 of the standing trial, participants stood for six, 45-min periods. On day 1 of the walking trial, participants walked briskly for 30 min at approximately 60% of maximum heart rate. On day 2 of each trial, participants rested and consumed test meals for breakfast and lunch. Venous blood samples were collected in the morning and afternoon on day 1, and in the fasted state (0 h) and at 2, 4 and 6 h postprandially on day 2. On day 2 area under the serum triacylglycerol concentration vs. time curve was 18% lower on the walking trial than the sitting and standing trials (1-factor ANOVA, P=0.015). Hence postprandial lipaemia was not reduced after standing but was reduced after low-volume walking compared with sitting in healthy normolipidaemic Japanese men.
Audit of HIV testing frequency and behavioural interventions for men who have sex with men: policy and practice in sexual health clinics in England

Background National guidance recommends targeted behavioural interventions and frequent HIV testing for men who have sex with men (MSM). We reviewed current policy and practice for HIV testing and behavioural interventions (BI) in England to determine adherence to guidance. Methods 25 sexual health clinics were surveyed using a semistructured audit asking about risk ascertainment for MSM, HIV testing and behavioural intervention policies. Practice was assessed by reviewing the notes of the first 40 HIV-negative MSM aged over 16 who attended from 1 June 2010, in a subset of 15 clinics. Results 24 clinics completed the survey: 18 (75%) defined risk for MSM and 17 used unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) as an indication of high risk. 21 (88%) offered one or more structured BI. Of 598 notes reviewed, 199 (33%) MSM reported any UAI. BI, including safer sex advice, was offered to and accepted by 251/598 (42%) men. A low proportion of all MSM (52/251: 21%) accepted a structured one-to-one BI as recommended by national guidance and uptake was still low among higher risk MSM (29/107: 27%). 92% (552/598) of men had one or more HIV test over a 1-year period. Conclusions In 2010, the number of HIV tests performed met the national minimum standard but structured behavioural interventions were being offered to and accepted by only a small proportion of MSM, including those at a higher risk of infection. Reasons for not offering behavioural interventions to higher risk MSM, whether due to patient choice, a lack of staff training or resource shortage, need to be investigated and addressed.
Between Potential, Performance and Prospect: Revisiting the Political Leadership of the EU Commission President

This contribution argues that although the latest EU treaties formalized the Commission presidency to substantial degree, it remains a constitutionally weak office for the provision of political leadership. The capacity to lead thus still strongly depends on the individual incumbent. As a first step, the article examines the legal-procedural structure of the office before and after the Lisbon Treaty came into force. Secondly, it analyzes the political leadership performance of the Commission president Jose Barroso in comparison with his predecessor Jacques Delors. In bridging formal institutional rules with concrete performances this article contributes to the understanding of the relationship between structure and agency in international institutions as well as to the growing literature on political leadership in the European Union.
Use and Satisfaction with Prosthetic Devices Among Persons with Trauma-Related Amputations: A Long-Term Outcome Study

Dillingham TR, Pezzin LE, MacKenzie EJ, Burgess AR: Use and satisfaction with prosthetic devices among persons with trauma-related amputations: a long-term outcome study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:563–571. ObjectiveTo document and examine the use, satisfaction, and problems with prosthetic devices among persons who suffered a trauma-related lower limb amputation. DesignAbstracted medical records and follow-up interview data were collected for a retrospective cohort of persons with a lower limb trauma-related amputation who received their acute care at the University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, MD, between 1984 and 1994. Patients with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or only toe amputations were excluded. ResultsThere were 146 patients identified. Of those, 9% died during the acute admission and 3.5% died after discharge. Seventy-eight amputees were available for interview (68% response rate). The majority of those interviewed were male (87%), and two-thirds had undergone amputation before age 40 yr. Nearly 95% had a prosthesis and wore it an average of 80 hr (SD = 33) per week. Despite high use, only 43% reported being satisfied with the comfort of their prosthesis. About one-quarter of all users reported problems with wounds, skin irritation, or pain. Traumatic amputees used an average of four prostheses since injury, about one new prosthesis every 2 yr. Statistical analyses revealed that males reported higher prosthetic use (P < 0.01). Higher Injury Severity Score negatively impacted on prosthetic use (P < 0.01). Phantom pain negatively influenced reported satisfaction with the prosthesis (P < 0.03) ConclusionsAlthough almost all persons living with trauma-related amputations use prosthetic devices, the majority are not satisfied with prosthetic comfort. Phantom pain and residual limb skin problems are also common afflictions in this population.
The Itinerary of a Vesicle Component, Aut7p/Cvt5p, Terminates in the Yeast Vacuole via the Autophagy/Cvt Pathways*

Aminopeptidase I (API) is delivered to the yeast vacuole by one of two alternative pathways, cytoplasm to vacuole targeting (Cvt) or autophagy, depending on nutrient conditions. Genetic, morphological, and biochemical studies indicate that the two pathways share many of the same molecular components. The Cvt pathway functions during vegetative growth, while autophagy is induced during starvation. Both pathways involve the formation of cytosolic vesicles that fuse with the vacuole. In either case, the mechanism of vesicle formation is not known. Autophagic uptake displays a greater capacity for cytosolic protein sequestration. This suggests the involvement of an inducible protein(s) that allows the vesicle-forming machinery to adapt to the increased degradative needs of the cell. We have analyzed the biosynthesis of Aut7p, a protein required for both pathways. We find Aut7p expression is induced by nitrogen starvation. Aut7p is degraded by a process dependent on both proteinase A and Cvt/autophagy components. Protease accessibility assays demonstrate that Aut7p is located within vesicles in strains defective in vesicle delivery or breakdown. Finally, theaut7/cvt5 mutant accumulates precursor API at a stage prior to vesicle completion. These data suggest that Aut7p is induced during autophagy and delivered to the vacuole together with precursor API by Cvt/autophagic vesicles.
Population dynamics of American horseshoe crabs—historic climatic events and recent anthropogenic pressures

Populations of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, have declined, but neither the causes nor the magnitude are fully understood. In order to evaluate historic demography, variation at 12 microsatellite DNA loci surveyed in 1218 L. polyphemus sampled from 28 localities was analysed with Bayesian coalescent‐based methods. The analysis showed strong declines in population sizes throughout the species’ distribution except in the geographically isolated southern‐most population in Mexico, where a strong increase in population size was inferred. Analyses suggested that demographic changes in the core of the distribution occurred in association with the recolonization after the Ice Age and also by anthropogenic effects, such as the past overharvest of the species for fertilizer or the current use of the animals as bait for American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and whelk (Busycon spp.) fisheries. This study highlights the importance of considering both climatic changes and anthropogenic effects in efforts to understand population dynamics—a topic which is highly relevant in the ongoing assessments of the effects of climate change and overharvest.
P53 Gene Therapy Modulates Signal Transduction in the Apoptotic and Cell Cycle Pathways Downregulating Neointimal Hyperplasia

Purpose: To investigate the molecular mechanisms that lead to inhibition of intimal hyperplasia (IH) following p53 gene therapy. Methods: In vivo p53 gene transfer to balloon injured rat carotid arteries was performed by utilizing adenovirus. The relationship between p53, p21, retinoblastoma protein (Rb), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bax, and Bcl-x was examined by immunohistochemistry. Expression of cyclin D1, Fas/CD95, and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) was determined. Results: Our data indicate increased expression of p53 in the nuclei of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the media (P < .01) compared with the controls. In the treated animals, Bax and Bcl-x, p21, and Rb were significantly upregulated (P < .01). Immunoreactivity to Bcl-2 was observed only in the neointima of untreated groups at 14 days. An increased presence of Fas and decreased expression of PARP was observed in the cytoplasm of the VSMCs of p53-treated animals. Conclusions: P53 gene transfer activated a battery of downstream effector genes whose products are directly involved in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis.
An interactive Web site providing major histocompatibility ligand predictions: application to HIV research.

EpiMatrix/HIV, a tool that is currently available on the World Wide Web, enables researchers to screen HIV proteins for potential MHC ligands. We have performed a comparison of EpiMatrix predictions to 158 published allotype-specific HLA-associated peptides (MHC ligands) derived from 133 proteins. The top 10 ranked EpiMatrix predictions for each of the 158 HLA allotype-protein pairs were selected for comparison with these published ligands. EpiMatrix correctly identified 134 of 158 published ligands (85%). The algorithm is now available for use by the HIV research community at the URL http:/(/)www.EpiMatrix. com/HIV.
E2F7, a novel E2F featuring DP‐independent repression of a subset of E2F‐regulated genes

The E2F family of transcription factors play an essential role in the regulation of cell cycle progression. In a screen for E2F‐regulated genes we identified a novel E2F family member, E2F7. Like the recently identified E2F‐like proteins of Arabidopsis, E2F7 has two DNA binding domains and binds to the E2F DNA binding consensus site independently of DP co‐factors. Consistent with being an E2F target gene, we found that the expression of E2F7 is cell cycle regulated. Ectopic expression of E2F7 results in suppression of E2F target genes and accumulation of cells in G1. Furthermore, E2F7 associates with E2F‐regulated promoters in vivo, and this association increases in S phase. Interestingly, however, E2F7 binds only a subset of E2F‐dependent promoters in vivo, and in agreement with this, inhibition of E2F7 expression results in specific derepression of these promoters. Taken together, these data demonstrate that E2F7 is a unique repressor of a subset of E2F target genes whose products are required for cell cycle progression.
Dietary exposure to flavouring substances: from screening methods to detailed assessments using food consumption data collected with EPIC-Soft software

This study aimed to compare different methods of assessing dietary exposure to flavourings in the context of a stepwise approach. The dietary exposure to four flavourings–raspberry ketone, glycyrrhizinic acid, coumarin, and caffeine–was determined. When dietary exposure exceeded the safety limits, the need for more detailed assessment using less aggregated data was judged necessary. First, screening methods–maximized survey-derived daily intake (MSDI), single-portion exposure technique (SPET), and modified theoretical added maximum daily intake (mTAMDI)–were applied. Next, individual food consumption data were used for creating models with different levels of detail to identify the foods: a model based on food groups and models based on food items. These were collected from 121 Dutch adults using a standardized 2 × 24-h dietary recall (EPIC-Soft) in the European Food Consumption Validation (EFCOVAL) study. Three food item models were developed: without improvements of the flavouring descriptor built in the software; with improvements; and with use of non-specified flavour descriptors. Based on the results of at least one of the three screening methods, refined assessment was necessary for raspberry ketone, glycyrrhizinic acid, and caffeine. When applying the food group model, the need for refinement was indicated for the four flavourings. When applying the food item models, only glycyrrhizinic acid and caffeine presented dietary exposure above the safety limits. In the raspberry ketone case, dietary exposure increased when improvements in food description were considered. The use of non-specified flavour descriptors hardly changed the results. The collection of detailed food consumption data at the individual level is useful in the dietary exposure assessment of these flavourings.
The Relationship Between Moral Reasoning, Provictim Attitudes, and Interpersonal Aggression Among Imprisoned Young Offenders

This study examined the relationship between moral reasoning, provictim attitudes, and interpersonal aggression among imprisoned young offenders. The participants were 60 imprisoned male young offenders from a young offender institution or remand centre. Using the Direct and Indirect Prisoner Behaviour Checklist, the offenders were categorised as one of four groups: perpetrator, victim, perpetrator-victim, or not involved. Participants in the four groups were compared on measures of provictim attitudes and sociomoral reasoning. The results showed that the majority of the participants were involved in victimising behaviours, with 43.3% falling into the perpetrator-victim category. Victims had significantly more empathic attitudes toward victims than did those in the perpetrator-victim group. No significant differences were found among the four groups on the sociomoral reasoning measure, nor was there a significant correlation between sociomoral reasoning and provictim attitudes. The results are discussed in terms of previous research and their implications for practice.
Adaptive methodologies for real-time skin segmentation and large-scale face detection

In the field of computer vision, face detection concerns the positive identification of the faces of people within still images or video streams, which is extremely useful for applications such as counting, tracking, and recognition. When applied in large-scale environments, such as lecture theatres, we have found that existing technology can struggle greatly in detecting faces due primarily to the indiscernibility of their features, caused by partial occlusion, problematic orientation, and a lack of focus or resolution. We attempt to overcome this issue by proposing an adaptive framework, capable of collating the results of numerous existing detection systems in order to significantly improve recall rates. This approach uses supplementary modalities, invariant to the issues posed to features, to eliminate false detections from collated sets and allow us to produce results with extremely high confidence. The properties we have selected as the bases of detection classification are size and colour, as we believe that filters that consider them can be constructed adaptively, on a per-image basis, ensuring that the variabilities inherent to large-scale imagery can be fully accounted for, and that false detections and actual faces can be accurately distinguished between on a consistent basis. The application of principal component analysis to precise face detection results yields planar size distribution models that we can use to discard results that are either too large or too small to realistically represent faces within given images. Classifying a detection according to the correspondence of its general colour tone to the expected colour of skin is a more complex matter, however, as the apparent colour of skin is highly dependent upon incident illumination, and existing techniques are neither specific nor flexible enough to model it as accurately as we believe possible. Therefore, we propose another system, which will be able to adaptively model skin colour distributions according to the Gaussian probability densities exhibited by the colours of precise face detections. Furthermore, it will be suitable for independent application to real-time skin segmentation tasks as a result of considerable optimisation. This thesis details the design, the development, and the implementation of our systems, and thoroughly evaluates them with regards to the accuracy of their results and the efficiency of their performances, thereby establishing fully the suitability of them for solving certain types of presented problems.
Multiple polyphosphoinositide pathways regulate apoptotic signalling in a dorsal root ganglion derived cell line

The polyphosphoinositides play important roles in transmembrane signalling but are also involved in anchoring cell surface proteins, organellar transport, cytoskeleton organization, and cell survival. The polyphosphoinositides synthesized by phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI‐3K), (Ptd(3,4)InsP2, and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3), appear to play a critical role in cell survival by membrane recruitment and activation of Akt kinase. Inhibitors of PI3K, wortmannin, and LY294002, induced a time‐dependent activation of caspase‐3 (CPP32), with a peak at 6 hr, leading to subsequent cell death by apoptosis in a dorsal root ganglion cell line (F‐11). Lowering cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels enhanced both caspase‐3 activation and cell death induced by PI3K inhibitors, whereas a nonhydrolyzable cAMP analog (Bt2cAMP), lowered CPP32 and was protective We stably transfected the F‐11 cells with the constitutively active p110 catalytic subunit of PI‐3 kinase and observed resistance to both caspase‐3 (CPP32) activation and subsequent apoptosis induced by either wortmannin or LY294002. Treatment of F‐11 cells with bradykinin (BK) stimulated the hydrolysis of a different polyphosphoinositide, PtdIns(4,5)P2, and enhanced both wortmannin‐induced caspase‐3 (CPP32) activation and subsequent apoptosis. PtdIns(4,5)P2 is also a precursor of the anti‐apoptotic PtdIns(3,4,5) P3 and lowering cAMP levels with opioid agonists for 30 min enhanced both the hydrolysis of PtdIns(4,5) P2 and cellular apoptosis. The enhancement was opioid dose‐dependent and opioid antagonist (naloxone)‐ reversible and was also seen following 24‐hr exposure to opioids such as U69,593 and Dala2, Dleu5 enkephalin (DADLE). However, unlike the bradykinin stimulation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis following activation of phospholipase C, the opioid‐enhanced hydrolysis was independent of external Ca2+ and was blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting a different mechanism involving GI, Go, or βγ‐subunits. In summary, both the receptor‐mediated lowering of cAMP levels and the hydrolysis of 4,5‐polyphosphoinositides have no direct effect on caspase‐3 activity or apoptosis but do exacerbate the activation of caspase‐3‐like activity and subsequent cell death by apoptosis induced by inhibitors of 3‐polyphosphoinositide synthesis. We suggest that multiple polyphosphoinositide pathways are involved in the regulation of apoptosis. J. Neurosci. Res. 59:136–144, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aid and Human Capital Formation: Some Evidence 1

This paper uses panel data from a large number of developing countries, two measures of external aid, and a Dynamic Panel Data (DPD) estimator to investigate whether external aid has a significant effect on human capital formation in Less Developed Countries (LDCs). Specifically, we investigate whether external aid targeted to education or the health sector increases primary school enrollment and completion rates and whether aid to the health sector decreases child mortality rates. We find that aid has a significantly positive effect on primary school enrollment and completion rates. Similarly, aid to the health sector significantly decreases child mortality rates in LDCs. We find that aid to the primary education and health sectors are different from the effects of aggregate aid on outcomes in these sectors. We find no evidence of the fungibility of aid to primary education and health sectors in our sample.