Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The 6-kilodalton membrane protein of Semliki Forest virus is involved in the budding process

Alphavirus genomes encode a small hydrophobic protein of 6 kDa (the 6K protein) that is expressed as part of a large polyprotein containing the sequences of the two virus transmembranal glycoproteins which form the spikes of the infectious particle. Although made in amounts equivalent to those of the glycoproteins, very little of the 6K protein is found in secreted infectious virions. The role of this protein in virus replication and structure has been studied by use of a variety of mutationally altered forms of 6K, which yield phenotypically distinct viruses. A complete deletion of the gene encoding the 6K protein (delta 6K) of Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) has been constructed from an SFV infectious cDNA and the transcribed RNA-produced progeny virus that closely resembled the normal virus (P. Liljeström, S. Lusa, D. Huylebroeck, and H. Garoff, J. Virol. 65:4107-4113, 1991). Further studies of this mutant have now been performed, and they show that growth of delta 6K has a strong dependency on its host cell, varying from 2 to 50% of the rate of formation of the wild-type SFV. Mammalian cells are much more defective than insect and avian cells in replication of the delta 6K mutant. This mutant is not defective in formation and transport of the glycoproteins or in production of nucleocapsids, which accumulate at the plasma cell membrane in infected BHK cells. The major defect, thus, is in the final assembly and budding of new virus. In BHK cells infected with the delta 6K strain, a relatively large fraction of the total infectious virus formed can be recovered by osmotic lysis of exhaustively washed cells. Infectious SFV totally lacking 6K is identical to wild-type SFV in the early stages of virus replication, i.e., binding and uptake. The particles themselves are more thermolabile than those of wild-type SFV, suggesting that the 6K protein may be a part of the structure of wild-type virus or that the slower budding leads to an altered configuration of the trimeric spikes. These data support other studies that implicate the 6K protein as an important but nonessential component in the assembly and budding of the alphavirus particle, perhaps by affecting the packing of the glycoproteins and their interactions with membrane lipid.
Optimizing the Level Set Algorithm for Detecting Object Edges in MR and CT Images

Specifying the boundary of tissues or an organ is one of the most frequently required tasks for a radiologist. It is a first step for further processing, such as comparing two serial images in time, volume measurements. In the present work, we use genetic algorithms (GA) and where necessary apply a ldquodynamic genetic algorithmrdquo (dGA) procedure, which (we believe) is a unique application, to assess different values for finding an optimal set of parameters that characterize the level set method, a geometric active contour, for use as a boundary detection method. Four quantitative measures are used in calculating geometric differences between the object boundaries, as determined by the level set method, and the desired object boundaries. A semi-automated method is also developed to find the desired boundary for the object. A two-step method requires the user to manipulate the object boundaries obtained by applying an edge detection method based on the Canny filter. By setting the level set method parameters using the output of the GA we obtain accurate boundaries of organs automatically and rapidly.
Statin Use in Giant Cell Arteritis: A Retrospective Study

Objective. (1) To examine the association between statin use and giant cell arteritis (GCA); (2) to compare the clinical features and disease course of GCA among statin users and nonusers. Methods. For this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of all patients with biopsy-positive GCA diagnosed between 1998 and 2008. Using a case-control design, we compared the frequency of statin use in GCA patients to non-GCA population-based subjects who were randomly selected and individually matched by sex, age, and calendar year to the GCA cases. Statin use at diagnosis or index date and during followup was abstracted. In subjects with GCA, clinical information at diagnosis and followup was collected. Results. We included 594 patients, 297 with GCA (73% female), mean age at diagnosis 75 years. The rate of statin exposure at index date was 18.1% for GCA patients versus 33.3% for controls (p < 0.001). Patients using statins were less likely to develop GCA compared with patients not using statins (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15–0.6, p < 0.001), even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Among patients with GCA, the presenting clinical features and acute-phase reactants were similar in patients receiving statins compared to those not on statin therapy. These 2 groups were also similar with regard to relapse rate, prednisone tapering, and overall survival. Conclusion. Patients using statins may be less likely to develop GCA compared to patients who are not using statins. Statin use does not appear to modify the clinical presentation or the course of the disease.
Gynecologic Disorders in Women With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Objective: We characterized the population with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with regard to genital prolapse, urinary incontinence, and otehr gynecologic disorders. Methods: Forty-one adult women who had registered for a first-ever Ehlers-Danlos multidisciplinary clinic participated in the study. Each had a comprehensive standardized evaluation, including gynecologic history, physical examination, urodynamic testing, and physical therapy evaluation. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed to determine means for various gynecologic disorders of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Results: The frequencies of incontinence complaints (59%), endometriosis (27%), dyspareunia (57%), and previous hysterectomy (44%) were higher than expected for a population with a mean age of 41 years. Incontinence could not be demonstrated objectively. Prolapse was diagnosed in 12 (29.3%). Conclusions: Careful attention should be paid to women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome because of an association with many gynecologic complaints. Women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome should be questioned regarding incontinence, genital prolapse, endometriosis, and dyspareunia.
Scottish Confidential Inquiry into Asthma Deaths (SCIAD), 1994–6

BACKGROUND There have been important changes in the organisation of care for patients with asthma since asthma deaths were studied in the 1980s by the British Thoracic Association (BTA), with greater emphasis on long term control of symptoms and the use of preventive therapy. Recent trends in routine statistics show a decline in population death rates. METHODS A confidential review was undertaken of general practice and hospital records and interviews with general practitioners of patients dying in mainland Scotland between January 1994 and December 1996 with a principal diagnosis of asthma recorded by the Registrar General’s Office. Panel assessment of the cause of death was carried out and a number of possible adverse factors were identified. The data from the 15–64 year age group were compared with similar data from the earlier study by the BTA. RESULTS Over the three year period 95 deaths of 235 studied (40%) were confirmed as being due to asthma. Taking account of different methods of case ascertainment used in the BTA and this study, a fall in the calculated rate of “deaths assessed as due to asthma” was found from 2.51 (95% CI 2.34 to 2.68) per 100 000 population in 1979 to 1.26 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.33) per 100 000 population in 1994–6. Fewer individual adverse factors were identified in clinical management, with appropriate routine management in 59% and management of the final attack satisfactory in 71%. Patient factors such as poor compliance, lack of peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements, and overuse of reliever medication without inhaled corticosteroids, and psychosocial problems, notably depression, were confirmed as important contributing factors. Four of five patients under 16 years of age who died were found to have problems with routine management. CONCLUSIONS This population based study documents important improvements in the standard of asthma care as well as a significant decline in the rate of deaths due to asthma over a period during which the organisation of care has changed and the chronic nature of the disease has been acknowledged. Strategies which might have a further impact include the greater use of PEF recordings, particularly during acute attacks, to document recovery, prescription monitoring of the underuse of inhaled corticosteroids, consideration of the use of combined preparations where persistent overuse of bronchodilators is occurring, and increased input for young patients whose routine management is proving difficult.
Extracurricular College Activities Fostering Students' Innovation Self-efficacy

This study examines the relationship between participation in extracurricular college activities and its possible impact on students’ career interests in entrepreneurship and innovation. This work draws from the Engineering Majors Survey (EMS), focusing on innovation self-efficacy and how it may be impacted by participation in various extracurricular college activities. The term self-efficacy as developed by Albert Bandura is defined as “people’s judgment of their capabilities to organize and execute courses of action required to attain designated types of performances” (Bandura, 1986, p.391). Innovation self-efficacy is a variable consisting of six items that correspond to Dyer’s five discovery skills seen as important for innovative behavior. In order to investigate the relationship between participation in certain activities and innovation self-efficacy, the 20 activities identified in the EMS survey were grouped thematically according to their relevance to entrepreneurship-related topics. Students were divided into two groups using K-means cluster analysis according to their innovation selfefficacy (ISE.6) score. Cluster one (C1) contained the students with higher ISE.6 scores, Cluster two (C2) included the students with lower innovation self-efficacy scores. This preliminary research focused on descriptive analyses while also looking at different background characteristics such as gender, academic status and underrepresented minority status (URM). The results show that students in C1 (high ISE.6) have significantly greater interest in starting an organization (78.1%) in comparison to C2 students (21.9%) (X2=81.11, p=.000, Cramer’s V= .124). At the same time, male students reported significantly higher ISE.6 scores (M=66.70, SD=17.53) than female students (M=66.70, SD=17.53) t(5192)=-5.220 p=. 000 and stronger intentions to start an organization than female students (15% and 6.1 % respectively). Cluster affiliation representing innovation self-efficacy as well as gender seems to play a role when looking at career interest in entrepreneurship. According to Social Cognitive Career Theory, self-efficacy is influenced by learning experiences. In this work activities referring to hands-on activities in entrepreneurship and innovation are highly correlated with ISE.6 (r=.206, p=.000), followed by non-hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation. At the same time, students in C1 participated almost twice as often in hands-on activities in entrepreneurship and innovation (28.6%) as compared to students in C2 (15.2%). Interestingly in C1, there were no gender differences in participation in hands-on activities in entrepreneurship and innovation. Overall, female students (M=4.66, SD=2.5) participated in significantly more activities than male students (M=3.9, SD=2.64), t(5192)=9.65 p=. 000. All in all, these results reveal interesting insights into the potential benefits of taking part in innovation and entrepreneurship-related activities and their impact on students’ innovation self-efficacy and interests in corresponding careers.
NF1 microdeletions in neurofibromatosis type 1: from genotype to phenotype

In 5‐10% of patients, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) results from microdeletions that encompass the entire NF1 gene and a variable number of flanking genes. Two recurrent microdeletion types are found in most cases, with microdeletion breakpoints located in paralogous regions flanking NF1 (proximal NF1‐REP‐a and distal NF1‐REP–c for the 1.4 Mb type‐1 microdeletion, and SUZ12 and SUZ12P for the 1.2 Mb type‐2 microdeletion). A more severe phenotype is usually associated with NF1 microdeletion patients than in those with intragenic mutations. We characterized NF1 microdeletions in 70 unrelated NF1 microdeleted patients using a high‐resolution NF1 custom array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Genotype‐phenotype correlations were studied in 58 of these microdeletion patients and compared to 389 patients with intragenic truncating NF1 mutations and phenotyped in the same standardized way. Our results confirmed in an unbiased manner the existence of a contiguous gene syndrome with a significantly higher incidence of learning disabilities and facial dysmorphism in microdeleted patients compared to patients with intragenic NF1 mutations. Microdeleted NF1 patients also showed a trend toward significance for childhood overgrowth. High‐resolution array‐CGH identified a new recurrent ∼1.0 Mb microdeletion type, designated as type‐3, with breakpoints in the paralogous regions middle NF1‐REP‐b and distal NF1‐REP–c. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pregabalin and dexamethasone for postoperative pain control: a randomized controlled study in hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Optimal pain treatment with minimal side-effects is essential for early mobility and recovery in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. We investigated the analgesic effect of pregabalin and dexamethasone in this surgical procedure. METHODS One hundred and twenty patients were randomly allocated to either Group A (placebo), Group B (pregabalin 300 mg), or Group C (pregabalin 300 mg+dexamethasone 8 mg). The medication and acetaminophen 1 g were given before operation. Spinal anaesthesia was performed. Postoperative pain treatment was with acetaminophen 1 g three times daily and patient-controlled i.v morphine, 2.5 mg bolus. Nausea was treated with ondansetron. Morphine consumption, pain intensity at rest and during mobilization, nausea and vomiting, sedation, dizziness, and consumption of ondansetron were recorded 2, 4, and 24 h after operation. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Twenty-four hour morphine consumption was significantly reduced in Groups B [mean (SD) 24 (14) mg] and C [25 (19) mg] compared with Group A [47 (28) mg]. Vomiting was reduced in Group C compared with Group B (P=0.03). Sedation was significantly increased in Group B compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS Pregabalin resulted in a 50% reduction in 24 h postoperative morphine requirements. This was not associated with a reduced incidence of nausea or vomiting. Pregabalin resulted in increased levels of sedation. Combining pregabalin and dexamethasone provided no additional effects on pain or opioid requirements.
Investigation of current perspectives for NHS Wales sustainable development through procurement policies

Public sector procurement has to operate under the pressure of policies and strict budgets. This paper examines the current perspectives of the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) on sustainable procurement policies. In particular, it investigates the adoption levels of the sustainable procurement policies of buyers (NHS Wales), examines the level of engagement of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with NHS Wales, and explores the support for the existing sustainable procurement function through order processing analysis of catalogue coverage.
The relation between acute persisting spinal paralysis and poliomyelitis vaccine--results of a ten-year enquiry. WHO Consultative Group.

Most of the 13 countries that participated in this ten-year study of the incidence of acute persisting spinal paralysis (APSP) used trivalent live poliomyelitis vaccine (Sabin strains), but monovalent vaccines were used for all or part of the time in 3 countries and inactivated vaccines were used wholly by 2 countries and in part by 2 other countries. Altogether 698 cases of APSP were recorded in a total population of about 509 million over the 10-year study period - an incidence of 0.14 per million per annum. The incidence varied widely between countries and not all the cases were related to immunization. In six countries where live vaccines were used three methods of assessment of risk were employed. The risk in relation to the child population under 3 years of age was less than 1 per million children in all six countries.In both vaccinees and contacts most cases were due to poliovirus type 3; of those due to type 2, the proportion was greater among contacts than among recipients. Since the results make it clear that neurovirulence tests for safety do not prove the innocuity of a vaccine with absolute certainty, it is essential that every programme of poliomyelitis immunization should include a continuous and effective system of surveillance. The study showed the need for the immunization of presumed susceptible adults at the same time as their children are vaccinated.Though in most countries the incidence of vaccine-associated cases was low, two countries had much higher rates. In one the rate has now fallen but in the other it persists at the same level as before. No clear explanation of the differences between these and the other countries was obtained.
Dense mapping of MYH9 localizes the strongest kidney disease associations to the region of introns 13 to 15

Admixture mapping recently identified MYH9 as a susceptibility gene for idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and end-stage kidney disease attributed to hypertension (H-ESKD) in African Americans (AA). MYH9 encodes the heavy chain of non-muscle myosin IIA, a cellular motor involved in motility. A haplotype and its tagging SNPs spanning introns 12–23 were most strongly associated with kidney disease (OR 2–7; P < 10−8, recessive). To narrow the region of association and identify potential causal variation, we performed a dense-mapping study using 79 MYH9 SNPs in AA populations with FSGS, HIVAN and H-ESKD (typed for a subset of 46 SNPs), for a total of 2496 cases and controls. The strongest associations were for correlated SNPs rs5750250, rs2413396 and rs5750248 in introns 13, 14 and 15, a region of 5.6 kb. Rs5750250 showed OR 5.0, 8.0 and 2.8; P = 2 × 10−17, 2 × 10−10 and 3 × 10−22, respectively, for FSGS, HIVAN and H-ESKD; OR 5.7; P = 9 × 10−27 for combined FSGS and HIVAN, recessive. An independent association was observed for rs11912763 in intron 33. Neither the highly associated SNPs nor the results of resequencing MYH9 in 40 HIVAN or FSGS cases and controls revealed non-synonymous changes that could account for the disease associations. Rs2413396 and one of the highly associated SNPs in intron 23, rs4821480, are predicted splicing motif modifiers. Rs5750250 combined with rs11912763 had receiver operator characteristic (ROC) C statistics of 0.80, 0.73 and 0.65 for HIVAN, FSGS and H-ESKD, respectively, allowing prediction of genetic risk by typing two SNPs.
ECG Diagnosis and Classification of Acute Coronary Syndromes

In acute coronary syndromes, the electrocardiogram (ECG) provides important information about the presence, extent, and severity of myocardial ischemia. At times, the changes are typical and clear. In other instances, changes are subtle and might be recognized only when ECG recording is repeated after changes in the severity of symptoms. ECG interpretation is an essential part of the initial evaluation of patients with symptoms suspected to be related to myocardial ischemia, along with focused history and physical examination. Patients with ST‐segment elevation on their electrocardiogram and symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischemia/infarction should be referred for emergent reperfusion therapy. However, it should be emphasized that a large number of patients may have ST‐elevation without having acute ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome, while acute ongoing transmural ischemia due to an abrupt occlusion of an epicardial coronary artery may occur in patients with ST‐elevation less than the thresholds defined by the guidelines. Up‐sloping ST‐segment depression with positive T waves is increasingly recognized as a sign of regional subendocardial ischemia associated with severe obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Widespread ST‐segment depression, often associated with inverted T waves and ST‐segment elevation in lead aVR during episodes of chest pain, may represent diffuse subendocardial ischemia caused by severe coronary artery disease. In case of hemodynamic compromise, urgent coronary angiography has been increasingly recommended for these patients.
History Education for Arab Palestinian Schools in Israel

Since 1948, the Educational system for Palestinian Arabs in Israel was affected by political and ideological considerations of the Jewish state policy. Nurit Peled -Elhanan (2012) argues that the textbooks used in the school system in Israel are laced with a pro-Israel ideology and that they play a part in priming Israeli children for military service. She analyzes the presentation of images, maps, layouts and use of language in History, Geography and Civic Studies textbooks, and reveals how the books might be seen to marginalize Palestinians, legitimize Israeli military action and reinforce Jewish-Israeli territorial identity. Up until 1987 the Department for Arab Education was headed by a Jewish-Israeli director who was appointed by the Ministry of Education and involved in policy making for ensuring control ov er the Palestinians. Since then Palestinians have been appointed to lead the Department but they have been lacked of power or decision making, which remained under the direct control of the Ministr y of Education. Thus the Department for Arab Education has no autonomous decision and authorities, but only meant to supervise the education of Palestinian Arabs and answer to Jewish-Israelis who continue to be in charge. Since the first years Israeli politicians saw in the state education system, an instrument to realize Zionist political ob jectives, and on the other hand the educational system was used to ensure weakening of Arab and Palestinian identity in the country .
Demand Shocks, Airline Pricing, and High-Speed Rail Substitution: Evidence from the Chinese Market

We study the high-speed rail (HSR) substitution for air travel through the demand shocks triggered by two HSR events: the launch of Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rails (the “Jing-hu” HSRs) and the Wenzhou train accident. One novelty of our data is that the HSR events are exogenous to the airline industry, alleviating the common endogeneity concern. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we find some evidence of substitution based on the pattern of airfare adjustments during the sample period. Specifically, compared to those in the control group, mean airfares for routes along the Jing-hu HSRs decline by 30.4 per cent upon the launch, but rebound by 27.4 per cent following the accident. Furthermore, the two events have a larger impact on low-cost carriers (LCCs) and regional airlines, on tourism routes, and on flights that depart during evening hours than their counterparts, respectively. Thus, we claim that the HSRs mainly serve as a low-end substitution for air travel in China.
A phase 1‐2 study of imexon plus dacarbazine in patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma

Imexon (Amplimexon) is an aziridine compound that increases reactive oxygen species, disrupts mitochondrial membranes, and induces apoptosis. Preclinical studies showed activity against melanoma cell lines and models in mice, and synergy with dacarbazine. The authors evaluated standard doses of dacarbazine combined with increasing doses of imexon to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy.