Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changing characteristics of invasive pneumococcal disease in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, after introduction of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

BACKGROUND The rate of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has decreased among both immunized children and nonimmunized adults since the licensure of a heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) for use in infants in the United States in 2000. METHODS Temporal trends in IPD incidence, clinical syndromes, and underlying conditions were analyzed using active laboratory- and population-based surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored Georgia Emerging Infections Program for the 20-county Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, for the period of July 1997 through June 2004. P values were determined by test for trend. RESULTS Since 2000, there have been significant decreases in the rates of invasive pneumococcal pneumonia (relative risk [RR], 0.80; P=.002) and meningitis (RR, 0.41; P=.003) in adults and for primary bacteremia, invasive pneumonia, and meningitis in children (RR, 0.16 [P<.001], 0.60 [P=.003], and 0.70 [P=.009], respectively). Among human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons, there were significant decreases in the overall rates of IPD (decrease of 43%; P<.001) and invasive pneumonia (decrease of 44%; P<.001) since 2000-2001, although the rate of IPD increased significantly (increase of 53%; P=.022) among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. There was a concurrent increase in the proportion of adults aged > or = 40 years with underlying comorbidities. Rates of non-PCV7 serotypes increased 1.61-fold and 1.28-fold from 2000-2001 to 2003-2004 in children and adults (P=.005 for both). CONCLUSIONS The decreasing incidence of IPD in Atlanta since 2000-2001 was associated with decreases in cases of pneumonia and meningitis in adult and pediatric subjects and in cases of primary bacteremia in children. The burden of serotype-replacement disease remained small. Adults with comorbidities represent a growing proportion of patients with IPD.
Jeffrey Masson and Freud's seduction theory: a new fable based on old myths

Jeffrey Masson's version of the seduction theory episode in Freud's early career, as presented in The Assault on Truth (1984), is very plaus ible as a revised account of the traditional story. However, close examination of the seduction theory papers and of other contemporary documents reveals that Freud's later reports of the episode, the foun dation on which Masson builds his case, are false. Some purported his torical events that Masson uses to buttress his case are also shown to be without foundation. The several accounts of the episode Freud gave in his writings are dissected to demonstrate that they are tendentiously misleading and serve to conceal what actually occurred with his patients during the period in question. Some consequences of the widespread acceptance of the traditional account are briefly discussed.
Fetal hemoglobin changes in the twin oligohydramnios‐polyhydramnios sequence

Fetal hemoglobin concentration was measured in each twin from five monochorionic pregnancies complicated by twin‐to‐twin transfusion, diagnosed by growth discordance and coexistent oligohydramnios‐polyhydramnios. In three cases the hemoglobin concentration of the smaller twin with oligohydramnios was lower than the normal mean for gestation, and the hemoglobin difference was more than 5 g/dl in two of these cases. In the other two cases, the hemoglobin concentration of the four fetuses with coexistent oligohydramnios‐polyhydramnios was within the normal range. This suggests that twin‐to‐twin transfusion may occur without hemoglobin changes, or that alternatively coexistent oligohydramnios‐polyhydramnios occurs in the absence of twin‐to‐twin transfusion. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Characterization of Provider Perspectives on Text Message Reminders for

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize immunization provider practices and perspectives on text message reminders. Methods: This is a descriptive study of Pediatricians, Family Practice physicians and Health Departments in Kansas. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted. Fifteen health departments and 19 physician offices participated. Results: Health departments were more likely than physicians to know their clinic immunization rate (80% vs. 37%), use reminder systems (93% vs. 32%) and utilize out-of-office reminders. In addition, health departments were more likely than physicians to consider text messaging an appropriate reminder method (100% vs. 63%) and be willing to try a text messaging system (93% vs. 79%). Perceived barriers to text messaging included low cell phone use among patients, need for consensus in group practices, and privacy concerns. Conclusions: While few immunization providers are currently using text message reminders, support for such programs has increased. Perceived barriers can be overcome with education regarding legal issues, more research into implementation and effectiveness of text message reminder systems and development of a financially solvent program. Theoretical frameworks, such as the diffusion of innovation model, should be considered to enhance uptake and widespread implementation of text message reminders for immunization compliance.
Metabolic risk factors and the impact of medical therapy on the management of nephrolithiasis in obese patients.

PURPOSE Previous studies have demonstrated that obesity can increase the risk of stone formation as well as recurrence rates of stone disease. Yet appropriate medical management can significantly decrease the risk of recurrent stone disease. Therefore, we analyzed our obese patient population, assessing the risk factors for stone formation and the impact of selective medical therapy on recurrent stone formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed to identify obese patients with stone disease from our Stone Center. Metabolic risk factors for stones were identified as well as patient response to medical therapy. A similar analysis was performed on a group of age and sex matched nonobese stone formers. RESULTS Of 1,021 patients 140 (14%) were identified as obese (body mass index greater than 30). Of these patients complete metabolic evaluations were available in 83 with an average followup of 2.3 years. The most common presenting metabolic abnormalities among these obese patients included gouty diathesis (54%), hypocitraturia (54%) and hyperuricosuria (43%), which presented at levels that were significantly higher than those of the nonobese stone formers (p <0.05). Stone analysis was available in 32 obese patients with 63% having uric acid calculi. After initiating treatment with selective medical therapy obese and nonobese patients demonstrated normalization of metabolic abnormalities, resulting in an average decrease in new stone formation from 1.75 to 0.15 new stones formed per patient per year in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Obesity, as a result of dietary indiscretion, probable purine gluttony and possible type II diabetes, appears to have a significant role in recurrent stone formation. Appropriate metabolic evaluation, institution of medical therapy and dietary recommendations to decrease animal protein intake can significantly improve the risk of recurrent stone formation in these often difficult to treat patients.
Inotropic response to β‐adrenergic receptor stimulation and anti‐adrenergic effect of ACh in endothelial NO synthase‐deficient mouse hearts

1 The functional consequences of a lack of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) on left ventricular force development and the anti‐adrenergic effect of acetylcholine (ACh) were investigated in isolated hearts and cardiomyocytes from wild type (WT) and eNOS knockout (eNOS–/–) mice. 2 eNOS expression in cardiac myocytes accounted for 20 % of total cardiac eNOS (Western blot analysis). These results were confirmed by RT‐PCR analysis. 3 In the unstimulated perfused heart, the left ventricular pressure (LVP) and maximal rate of left ventricular force development (dP/dtmax) of eNOS–/– hearts were not significantly different from those of WT hearts (LVP: 97 ± 11 mmHg WT vs. 111 ± 11 mmHg eNOS–/–; dP/dtmax: 3700 ± 712 mmHg s−1 WT vs. 4493 ± 320 mmHg s−1 eNOS–/–). 4 The dobutamine (10‐300 nm)‐induced increase in LVP was enhanced in eNOS–/– hearts. In contrast, L‐type Ca2+ currents (ICa,L) in isolated cardiomyocytes of WT and eNOS–/– hearts showed no differences after β‐adrenergic stimulation. Dibutyryl‐cGMP (50 μm) reduced basal ICa,L in WT cells to 72 ± 12 % while eNOS–/–ICa,L was insensitive to the drug. The pre‐stimulated ICa,L (30 nm isoproterenol) was attenuated by dibutyryl‐cGMP in WT and eNOS–/– cells to the same extent. 5 The Ca2+ (1.5‐4.5 mm)‐induced increase in inotropy was not different between the two experimental groups and β‐adrenergic receptor density was increased by 50 % in eNOS–/– hearts. 6 The contractile effects of dobutamine could be inhibited almost completely by ACh or adenosine. The extent of the anti‐adrenergic effect of both compounds was identical in WT and eNOS–/– hearts. Measurement of ICa,L in isolated cardiac myocytes yielded similar results. 7 These data demonstrate that in the adult mouse (1) lack of eNOS is associated with increased cardiac contractile force in response to β‐adrenergic stimulation and with elevated β‐adrenergic receptor density, (2) the unaltered response of ICa,L in eNOS–/– cardiac myocytes to β‐adrenergic stimulation suggests that endothelium‐derived NO is important in mediating the whole‐organ effects and (3) eNOS is unimportant for the anti‐adrenergic effect of ACh and adenosine.
TÜRKİYE'NİN BÜYÜK ŞİRKETLER KESİMİNDE İŞLETME GRUPLARININ İKTİSADİ ROLÜ VE ÇEŞİTLENDİRME STRATEJİLERİ

Bu calisma, Turkiye’deki buyuk sirketler kesimi icinde isletme gruplarinin iktisadi rolunu ve cesitlendirme stratejilerini sistematik olarak incelemeyi amaclamaktadir. Faaliyetlerini tek bir is kolunda toplama egilimine sahip kamu iktisadi tesekkullerinin aksine, isletme gruplari, birbiriyle ilgisiz faaliyet alanlarina giris yapmislardir. Ozellikle 1980’lerden bu yana sure gelen iktisadi serbestlesme ortami icinde olusan girisken isletme gruplari, daha once kurulan gruplari yakalayabilme surecinde bu tarz cesitlendirme stratejileri uygulamislardir. Erken donem ve gec donem isletme gruplari benzer duzeyde bir endustri cesitlendirmesi sergilemekte iseler de, tarihsel olarak karsilastiklari farkli is cevreleri nedeniyle, imalat alanina yonelik bagliliklarinda goreceli bir fark gorulmektedir.
Postnatal Depression: A Korean Perspective

Objective: To provide insight into the cultural influences on postnatal depression (PND) in women from Korean backgrounds. Conclusions: Lack of support has been seen to be a key risk factor in postnatal depression. In Korean society, little research has been done on this disorder, but it is likely that traditional support might have a protective role. Erosion of this with westernization of Korea, or isolation in Korean immigrants to Australia, is likely to be significant for new mothers from this cultural background.
To attend or not to attend to unwelcome reanalyses? A reply to Pinker

In his recent study 'On the acquisition of grammatical morphemes' Pinker pro-fessed two goals: to refute Moerk's (1980) reanalysis of Brown's (1973) data; and to disclaim Block's & Kessel's (1980) interpretation of Brown's (1973) con-clusions. The present reply pertains only to Pinker's first goal, and only to the main aspects of his argumentation; the latter contains so many minor distortions that the original study would have to be reported again to eliminate all of them. The interested reader will therefore need to study the original paper of Moerk (1980) not only to evaluate for himself the controversies but also to gain an impression of its major aim and its specific goals, which have been misinterpreted by Pinker. Nevertheless Pinker's paper, if read critically, can fulfil a major function in keeping alive the controversy as to the effects of input frequency upon language acquisition. Since Brown's (1973) strong pronouncements, the absence of such frequency effects has for too long and too uncritically been taken for granted. The structure of the following reply will follow sequentially the major points of Pinker. All of the replies will presuppose a knowledge of the original study and of Pinker's criticism. Some of the replies can therefore be very brief.
Constitutively Active Cdc42 Mutant Confers Growth Disadvantage in Cell Transformation

The Rho family small GTPase Cdc42 is critical for diverse cellular functions including the regulation of actin organization, cell polarity, intracellular membrane trafficking, transcription, cell cycle progression and cell transformation. Like other members of the Rho family, Cdc42 cycles between the GTP-bound, active state, and the inactive, GDP-bound state under tight regulation, and it is believed that the GTP bound form of Cdc42 represents the active signaling module in eliciting effector activation and cellular responses. The constitutively active mutant, V12, derived from the analogous mutations found in oncogenic Ras that are GTPase-defective, and a "fast-cycling" self-activating mutant, F28L, of Cdc42, have been widely in use to study the cellular effects of Cdc42. Here we report that the constitutively active V12 mutant of Cdc42, when stably expressed in cells, could behave in a dominant negative fashion in inhibiting cell proliferation while the F28L mutant was growth stimulatory. The V12 mutant failed to transform NIH3T3 cells while F28 potently stimulated anchorage-independent growth. The growth inhibitory effect of the V12 mutant correlated with activation of JNK2 and suppression of the cyclin D1 and NF-κB expressions that were instead upregulated by the F28L mutant. Furthermore, the V12 mutant could suppress, whereas the F28L mutant potentiated or had no effect on, a wide variety of oncogene-induced cell transformation, including that by the Dbl family GEFs Dbl, Vav and Lbc and the oncogenic Ras, ErbB-2, PDGF B or Raf. These results raise the possibility that over-saturation or constitutive activation of Cdc42 signal may negatively impact on cell proliferation and that both the activation and deactivation steps, or the complete GTPase cycle, of Cdc42 is required for proper function.
Improving Capacity and Delay in Directional Hybrid Wireless Networks with Range Extension

With the introduction of directional antennas into wireless networks, the beamwidth decreases and the range extends; thus both the mutual interference and the number of hops are reduced. This paper investigates the asymptotic throughput capacity and delay of hybrid wireless networks equipped with directional antennas. We first present a new scheme combining directional antennas and the same cell routing policy, and then derive the per-node throughput capacity and average delay in the proposed scheme, which mainly depend on the number of base stations m, the beamwidth of directional antennas θ, and the path loss exponent α. The discussions that how our directional hybrid wireless network explores the transmission range extension of directional antennas and how each parameter influences the throughput and delay are further elaborated. Moreover, our analytic results and experiments demonstrate that the substantial improvements on throughput capacity and the obvious reduction of average delay are achieved in hybrid wireless networks with directional antennas.
In vitro differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal stem cells into hepatocytes induced by conditioned culture medium of hepatocytes

The differentiation potential of adult stem cells has long been believed to be limited to the tissue or germ layer of their origin. However, recent studies have demonstrated that adult stem cells may encompass a greater potential than once thought. In the present study, we examined whether murine bone marrow derived stromal stem cells (BMSSCs) are able to differentiate into functional hepatocytes in vitro. BMSSCs were isolated from murine femora and tibiae, and the mesodermal multilineage differentiation potentials of these cells were functionally characterized. To effectively induce hepatic differentiation, we designed a novel protocol by using hepatocyte‐conditioned medium. Hepatic differentiation from mouse BMSSCs was examined by a variety of assays at morphological and molecular levels. Morphologically, mouse BMSSCs became round and epithelioid, binucleated after induction. Differentiated cells were harvested on Days 0, 10, and 20 and subjected to examination of hepatocyte characteristics by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunocytochemistry. We detected AFP, HNF‐3β, CK19, CK18, ALB, TAT, and G‐6‐Pase at the mRNA and/or protein levels, hepatocyte‐like cells by culture in conditioned medium further demonstrated in vitro functions characteristic of liver cells, including glycogen storage, and urea secretion. Moreover, transplantation of the differentiated cells into liver‐injured mice partially restored serum albumin level and significantly suppressed transaminase activity. Our findings indicated the transdifferentiation potential of mouse BMSSCs developing into the functional hepatocyte‐like cells by conditioned culture medium and, hence, may serve as a model system for the study of mechanisms involved in the transdifferentiation, and a cell source for cell therapy of hepatic diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 52–63, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Free-classification of perceptually similar speakers with dysarthria.

PURPOSE In this investigation, the construct of perceptual similarity was explored in the dysarthrias. Specifically, we employed an auditory free-classification task to determine whether listeners could cluster speakers by perceptual similarity, whether the clusters mapped to acoustic metrics, and whether the clusters were constrained by dysarthria subtype diagnosis. METHOD Twenty-three listeners blinded to speakers' medical and dysarthria subtype diagnoses participated. The task was to group together (drag and drop) the icons corresponding to 33 speakers with dysarthria on the basis of how similar they sounded. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling (MDS) modeled the perceptual dimensions underlying similarity. Acoustic metrics and perceptual judgments were used in correlation analyses to facilitate interpretation of the derived dimensions. RESULTS Six clusters of similar-sounding speakers and 3 perceptual dimensions underlying similarity were revealed. The clusters of similar-sounding speakers were not constrained by dysarthria subtype diagnosis. The 3 perceptual dimensions revealed by MDS were correlated with metrics for articulation rate, intelligibility, and vocal quality, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study shows (a) feasibility of a free-classification approach for studying perceptual similarity in dysarthria, (b) correspondence between acoustic and perceptual metrics to clusters of similar-sounding speakers, and (c) similarity judgments transcended dysarthria subtype diagnosis.
Étude expérimentale de la turbulence dans une couche de mélange anisotherme

L'etude porte sur une couche de melange plane horizontale generee par la rencontre de deux ecoulements paralleles a vitesse et temperature differentes. Le melange turbulent est analyse pour differentes conditions initiales en termes de gradients de vitesse et de temperature. On distingue en particulier des configurations en regime de stratification stable et instable sous l'effet des forces de flottabilite. L'analyse des correlations entre les fluctuations de vitesse et de temperature s'appuie sur la technique experimentale d'anemometrie a temperature de fil variable (PCTA), qui permet la mesure instantanee de la vitesse et de la temperature en un meme point grâce a la variation periodique et par palier du coefficient de surchauffe du fil chaud utilise. Un premier travail a consiste a etendre la technique PCTA a l'utilisation de fils croises pour la mesure simultanee de la temperature et de deux composantes de la vitesse. Dans un premier temps, les statistiques en un point permettent d'identifier les caracteristiques de l'ecoulement dans la region de similitude et d'y etablir les equations de bilan pour l'energie cinetique turbulente, l'intensite des fluctuations de temperature et les flux de quantite de mouvement et de chaleur. Il apparait, vu les faibles nombres de Richardson en jeu (Rif<0,03), que les forces de flottabilite sont quasi-negligeables devant les moteurs principaux du mouvement. Pourtant, ce forcage thermique peu energetique est suffisant, en configuration instable, pour augmenter significativement le taux d'expansion et la contrainte de cisaillement, ce qui correspond de fait a une augmentation de la production de turbulence. L'analyse des densites de probabilite jointes permet ensuite de mettre en evidence les mecanismes et evenements qui contribuent significativement aux flux transversaux de quantite de mouvement et de chaleur. Ces differentes contributions sont differenciees et quantifiees par une analyse en quadrants qui fait ressortir la preponderance des mouvements d'entrainement et d'ejection. On examine enfin les statistiques en deux points associees aux increments de vitesse et de temperature. Le comportement de ces increments est etudie a travers leurs densites de probabilite et leurs coefficients de dissymetrie et d'aplatissement. Les exposants des fonctions de structure confirment l'intermittence plus grande de la temperature par rapport a celle de la vitesse. Les differents termes des equations de Kolmogorov et de Yaglom sont mesures. L'equilibre de ces bilans par echelle permet de quantifier le terme qui integre les differents forcages proposes dans la litterature.
Histopathological Features of Tonsils & Significance of Actinomycosis in Chronic Tonsillitis

Actinomycosis of the tonsillar tissue is a rare pathological condition whose clinical significance has been disputed over by authors worldwide. Specimens of chronic tonsillitis showing Actinimycoses were involved in this study. The histopathology of the tonsillectomy specimens revealed colonies of Actinomyces in tonsillar crypts, along with cryptitis and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. The question whether the presence of colonies in tonsil is incidental or causative for tonsillar lesions is still not definitely solved.The present study was conducted to determine the histopathological features of tonsils and significance of Actinomycosis in chronic tonsillitis. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the histopathological features of tonsils and significance of Actinomycosis in chronic tonsillitis. Materials &Methods: 9 cases presenting Actinomycotic granules, ranging in age from 5 to 30 years who had undergone tonsillectomy with symptoms of chronic tonsillitis were considered in this study. Tonsil biopsy specimens stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin & Gram Stain were evaluated with light microscopy for the presence of Actinomyces, signs of significant cryptitis or active tonsillitis and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. The data was further analysed to determine the statistical significance. Results:9 cases (18 tonsillar biopsy specimens) with a mean age of 15 years (ranging from 5 to 30 years) were considered in this study. Actinomyces were seen in 11 tonsillar specimens only. Histopathological analysis of resected tonsils shows active tissue infection. There was a significant statistical relationship between the presence of actinomycosis and age, with a greater occurrence of actinomycosis in adult patients and our study showed female preponderance of tonsillar actinomycosis. Conclusions: The histopathological examination of tonsils in the present study documents a definite tissue reaction to the Actinomyces colonies. The age of the patient and female preponderance of tonsillar actinomycosis in adults correlate with the findings of other authors in previous studies.