Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta‐Analysis of the Risk of Immune‐Related Adverse Events With Anticytotoxic T‐Lymphocyte‐Associated Antigen 4 and Antiprogrammed Death 1 Therapies

We assessed the risks of immune‐related adverse events with anticytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and antiprogrammed death 1 (PD1) therapies by meta‐analysis. Twenty‐one studies including 11,144 patients were found. Anti‐CTLA4 therapy was associated with a significantly higher risk of overall immune‐related adverse events: diarrhea, immune‐related colitis, pruritus, and rash compared to control therapies (relative risk (RR) = 2.43, 2.10, 11.39, 3.88, 3.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.77–3.34, 1.52–2.45, 6.30–20.59, 2.37–6.37, 2.39–6.27, P < 0.001 for all outcomes). Anti‐PD1 therapy was associated with a significantly higher risk of pruritus (RR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.97 to 8.17, P < 0.001); however, it did not increase the risks of other adverse events. Anti‐CTLA4 and anti‐PD1 therapies have distinct features of immune‐related adverse events. The results of our study would aid the surveillance and management of immune‐related adverse events in patients receiving these therapies.
Lysosomal cholesterol derived from mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein is resistant to efflux.

In atherosclerotic lesions, macrophages store lipid in cytoplasmic inclusions and lysosomes. Regression studies show that lysosomal lipid is not as easily cleared as cytoplasmic inclusion lipid. Macrophages enriched with mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) accumulate cholesteryl ester (CE) and free cholesterol (FC) in lysosomes. We examined whether lysosomal stores of cholesterol from oxLDL are cleared from THP-1 and mouse macrophages. As in previous studies, oxLDL-enriched THP-1 macrophages accumulated substantial lysosomal cholesterol. Surprisingly, less than 12% of oxLDL-derived lysosomal CE was cleared to efficient FC acceptors (e.g., cyclodextrins, apolipoprotein/phosphatidylcholine vesicles, and fetal bovine serum). Filipin staining showed that lysosomes of oxLDL-treated THP-1 cells contained FC, and despite removal of most of the cell FC (70--80%) by incubation with cyclodextrins, filipin staining of FC in lysosomes did not diminish. Also, when THP-1 macrophages were incubated with [(3)H]CE oxLDL, 73--76% of the [(3)H]CE was retained in a lysosomal hydrolysis resistant pool. In contrast, greater than 90% of acetylated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) [(3)H]CE was hydrolyzed. Furthermore, [(3)H]FC liberated from oxLDL [(3)H]CE was released at a slower rate to cyclodextrins than was [(3)H]FC from acLDL [(3)H]CE. In contrast, only 27% of oxLDL [(3)H]CE was resistant to hydrolysis in mouse macrophages, and the [(3)H]FC generated from oxLDL and acLDL [(3)H]CE was released to cyclodextrins at similar rates. We conclude that lack of hydrolysis and efflux of oxLDL cholesterol is not exclusively inherent in oxLDL, but also requires specific cell factors present in one cell type but not the other. --Yancey, P. G. , and W. G. Jerome. Lysosomal cholesterol derived from mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein is resistant to efflux. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 317--327.
Variable NKG2 expression in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of rhesus monkeys

To provide a basis for beginning to explore the CD94/NKG2 family of molecules in rhesus monkeys, we sought to characterize the expression of these inhibitory and activating cell signalling molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy rhesus monkeys. We developed and employed a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay to evaluate mRNA expression levels of nine NKG2 molecules in PBMCs from the monkeys. In addition to quantitating NKG2A, NKG2B, NKG2C2, NKG2C and NKG2D expression, mRNA expression of transmembrane‐deleted forms of these molecules was also evaluated. Significant variability in NKG2 mRNA expression in the PBMCs was detected, with 15 unique NKG2 expression level profiles detected in a study of 15 monkeys. We also found that the ratio of the expressed levels of mRNA of the four NKG2 splice variants, NKG2A, NKG2B, NKG2AΔtm, and NKG2BΔtm, was variable between the monkeys as well as in an individual monkey over a period of 1·5 years. These findings indicate the dynamic nature of NKG2 mRNA expression in the rhesus monkey.
Age-Specific Differences in Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests

OBJECTIVE: We assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) for various pediatric age groups. METHODS: This prospective, population-based, observational study included all emergency medical service-treated OHCAs in Osaka, Japan, between 1999 and 2006 (excluding 2004). Patients were grouped as adults (>17 years), infants (<1 year), younger children (1–4 years), older children (5–12 years), and adolescents (13–17 years). The primary outcome measure was 1-month survival with favorable neurologic outcome. RESULTS: Of 950 pediatric OHCAs, resuscitations were attempted for 875 patients (92%; 347 infants, 203 younger children, 135 older children, and 190 adolescents). The overall incidence of nontraumatic pediatric OHCAs was 7.3 cases per 100 000 person-years, compared with 64.7 cases per 100 000 person-years for adults and 65.5 cases per 100 000 person-years for infants. Most infant OHCAs occurred in homes (93%) and were not witnessed (90%). Adolescent OHCAs often occurred outside the home (45%), were witnessed by bystanders (37%), and had shockable rhythms (18%). One-month survival was more common after nontraumatic pediatric OHCAs than adult OHCAs (8% [56 of 740 patients] vs 5% [1677 of 33 091 patients]; adjusted odds ratio: 2.26 [95% confidence interval: 1.63–3.13]). One-month survival with favorable neurologic outcome was more common among children than adults (3% [21 of 740 patients] vs 2% [648 of 33 091 patients]; adjusted odds ratio: 2.46 [95% confidence interval: 1.45–4.18]). Rates of 1-month survival with favorable neurologic outcome were 1% for infants, 2% for younger children, 2% for older children, and 11% for adolescents. CONCLUSION: Survival and favorable neurologic outcome at 1 month were more common after pediatric OHCAs than adult OHCAs.
Does Disclosure Improve Efficiency?

This paper investigates the efficiency consequences of firm disclosure. Using accounting and financial data in the Chinese market, the largest emerging market dominated by noise traders, we find that disclosure attracts noise trading and reduces the amount of information learned by firms from market prices, which in turn harms investment efficiency. Our results indicate that disclosure can negatively affect market efficiency and real investment performance in markets where noise trading increases with disclosure. Our results shed new lights on the dark side of disclosure for both informational and allocative efficiency.
Optimization of crude oil degradation by Dietzia cinnamea KA1, capable of biosurfactant production

The aim of this study was isolation and characterization of a crude oil degrader and biosurfactant‐producing bacterium, along with optimization of conditions for crude oil degradation. Among 11 isolates, 5 were able to emulsify crude oil in Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) among which one isolate, named KA1, showed the highest potency for growth rate and biodegradation. The isolate was identified as Dietzia cinnamea KA1 using morphological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The optimal conditions were 510 mM NaCl, pH 9.0, 35 °C, and minimal requirement of 46.5 mM NH4Cl and 2.10 mM NaH2PO4. Gravimetric test and Gas chromatography–Mass spectroscopy technique (GC‐MS) showed that Dietzia cinnamea KA1 was able to utilize and degrade 95.7% of the crude oil after 5 days, under the optimal conditions. The isolate was able to grow and produce biosurfactant when cultured in MSM supplemented with crude oil, glycerol or whey as the sole carbon sources, but bacterial growth was occurred using molasses with no biosurfactant production. This is the first report of biosurfactant production by D. cinnamea using crude oil, glycerol and whey and the first study to report a species of Dietzia degrading a wide range of hydrocarbons in a short time.
Spin-Dependent Quantum Interference Within a Single Magnetic Nanostructure

Wave-Particle Duality The dual-wave nature of particles is nowhere more evident than in a confined space, where standing waves are formed with wavelengths that depend on particle energy. This so-called quantum interference has been observed in nanostructures using surface probes such as scanning tunneling microscopy. Now, Oka et al. (p. 843) use the spin-polarized version of this technique to study spin-dependent quantum interference on a triangular nanoscale cobalt island deposited on a copper surface. They observe the modulation of the magnetization, with the pattern depending on the energy of the interfering electrons. The experimental results are in good agreement with simulations, which indicate that the magnetization at a given energy and position largely depends on which of two electron spin states present dominates. Magnetization modulation is observed on a cobalt nanoisland using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy. Quantum interference is a coherent quantum phenomenon that takes place in confined geometries. Using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we found that quantum interference of electrons causes spatial modulation of spin polarization within a single magnetic nanostructure. We observed changes in both the sign and magnitude of the spin polarization on a subnanometer scale. A comparison of our experimental results with ab initio calculations shows that at a given energy, the modulation of the spin polarization can be ascribed to the difference between the spatially modulated local density of states of the majority spin and the nonmodulated minority spin contribution.
AtNOA1 modulates nitric oxide accumulation and stomatal closure induced by salicylic acid in Arabidopsis

Phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) has been documented to induce nitric oxide (NO) generation and stomatal closure in plants. However, the cellular components mediating these processes are limited. Here, we report that NO synthesis in guard cells and stomatal closure are markedly induced by SA in Arabidopsis wild type plants, whereas these effects caused by SA are suppressed significantly in noa1 T-DNA mutant plants. These results suggest that AtNOA1 regulates SA-triggered NO accumulation and stomatal closure in Arabidopsis.
Brief reminiscence activities improve state well-being and self-concept in young adults: a randomised controlled experiment

ABSTRACT Reminiscence-based psychotherapies have been demonstrated to have robust effects on a range of therapeutic outcomes. However, little research has been conducted on the immediate effects of guided activities they are composed of, or how these might differ dependent on the type of reminiscence. The current study utilised a controlled experimental design, whereby 321 young adults (mean age = 25.5 years, SD = 3.0) were randomised to one of four conditions of online reminiscence activity: problem-solving (successful coping experiences), identity (self-defining events contributing to a meaningful and continuous personal identity), bitterness revival (negative or adverse events), or a control condition (any memory from their past). Participants recalled autobiographical memories congruent with the condition, and answered questions to facilitate reflection on the memories. The results indicated that problem-solving and identity reminiscence activities caused significant improvements in self-esteem, meaning in life, self-efficacy and affect, whereas no effects were found in the bitterness revival and control conditions. Problem-solving reminiscence also caused a small effect in increasing perceptions of a life narrative/s. Differences between the conditions did not appear to be explained by the positive-valence of memories. These results provide evidence for the specific effects of adaptive types of problem-solving and identity reminiscence in young adults.
How do we define 'rurality' in the teaching on medical demography?

CONTEXT There is growing interest worldwide in the teaching of rural and community medicine to medical students. Medical teachers have a responsibility to introduce their students to different health experiences, in both urban and rural environments. The definition of a rural area can be problematic. ISSUE There is no one universal definition of a rural area. This makes comparisons of data from differently defined areas problematic. Definitions of a rural area have been based on population size, access to health care, occupation and other socioeconomic variables, and political proclamations. LESSONS LEARNED There is no easy answer to such a complex issue as the definition of rurality. At best, medical teachers should inform their students that the definition of a rural area can be context specific, and may not be comparable between states. Defining the features of a particular rural area in academic writing may reduce some of the difficulties a reader may have in understanding the context. A universal definition of a rural area is not possible.
An evaluation of the early effects of a combination antiretroviral therapy programme on the management of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Summary Roll-out of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in South Africa should impact on AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Government provision began in 2003, with 23% coverage for World Health Organization (WHO) stage IVAIDS in 2006. To assess the effect of cART availability on KS management, we evaluated records from 701 KS patients seen at a tertiary oncology centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from 1995 to 2006. Associations between cART use and measures of KS care were evaluated. cART availability was 0% prior to 2001, 9.6% (2001-2003) and 44% (2004-2006). Documentation of HIV status increased incrementally from 65% to 92%. cART was associated with chemotherapy administration: 56% on cART versus 17% not on cART (P < 0.001); and less loss to follow-up, 13% on cART versus 38% not on cART (P < 0.001). cART availability improves the care of AIDS-associated KS. Further increases in cART availability for this population are needed in South Africa.
Isolation and characterization of a major allergen from the fish parasite Anisakis simplex.

BACKGROUND Ingestion of raw or undercooked fish can lead to infection of human subjects by the fish parasite Anisakis simplex, a disease known as anisakiasis or anisakidosis. Patients sensitized to this fish parasite show high levels of total and specific IgE. Cross-reactions seem to explain the fact that specific IgE antibodies are also found in a high number of normal subjects, as reported in other parasitoses. OBJECTIVE We sought to purify and characterize a major IgE-binding protein from the parasite. METHODS A protein was purified from the crude parasite extract by means of ethanol precipitation and reversed-phase HPLC. Its clinical relevance was tested on 20 parasite-positive sera by using IgE and IgG4 immunoblotting. A monospecific human serum was used to study its localization in the parasite body. RESULTS A 24-kd protein was purified, to which only 45% of the sera had specific IgG4, but 85% of sera had specific IgE. The protein was present only in the excretory gland, as shown by immunohistochemistry. N-terminal amino acid sequence (17 residues) showed no homology to previously described proteins. CONCLUSION A simplex contains a potent allergen in the excretory gland. This major parasite allergen, named Ani s 1, could have important clinical relevance, as shown by the high number of positive sera in the specific IgE immunoblotting.
Nonprofit organizations: financial reporting, auditing and earnings management

In deze dissertatie wordt de financiele rapportering van nonprofit organisaties bestudeerd in het licht van de 'resource dependence theory'. Er wordt nagegaan in welke mate afhankelijkheid van subsidies een invloed uitoefent op de kwaliteit van de jaarrekening (gemeten via een 'compliance' index en via resultaatsturing). Daarnaast wordt ook het effect van audit op de kwaliteit van de financiele rapportering onderzocht in het licht van het concept van coercive isomorphism, een deel van de neo-institutionele theorie. In het vierde hoofdstuk worden de determinanten van nonprofit audit honoraria geanalyseerd, opnieuw met aandacht voor de effecten van subsidiering. In een laatste onderzoekspaper wordt nagegaan of bepaalde subsidies aanleiding kunnen geven tot agent-principaalproblemen tussen de raad van bestuur en het management van de nonprofit-organisatie.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY (SPECIAL REFERENCE TO VAVUNIYA DISTRICT)

This research study aimed to identify the level of customer satisfaction in different banks in Sri Lanka. The major problem associated with this research study is to identify the leading bank in the industry through customer satisfaction. For this purpose, four banks (two public and two private) have been taken into consideration. This research study consists of asample of 125 customers from ﬁ ve variant groups. To measure customer satisfaction, two different structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the banks and the customers. The results show that a Sophisticated Information System plays a key role in the Hatton National Bank, relationship marketing (RM) in the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and RM and beneﬁt Schemes together contribute in the People’s Bank and the Commercial Bank of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the HNB is the market leader in the Vavuniya district and the BOC has certain key customers in all categories. Keywords: Customer Satisfaction, Relationship Mar-keting, Sophisticated Information Systems, Competitive Advantage, Banking industry, Sri Lanka For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac. lk
New Evidence on the Market Impact of Convertible Bond Issues in the U.S.

This study provides new evidence on the market impact of new issues of convertible bonds of U.S. listed firms. We examine on the market reaction surrounding the announcement dates and the issue dates of convertible bonds. The evidence suggests that firms experience negative abnormal returns around the announcement of new issues of convertible bonds. Abnormal returns are found to be a function of firm market value, price-to-book ratio, issue size, as well as the state of the overall market. Simulations using convertible arbitrage strategies suggests that investors could take advantage of these negative abnormal returns by going long on the firm's convertible bond and short on the firm's stock at the issue date.
Consensus theory model of AIDS/SIDA beliefs in four Latino populations.

To describe Latino beliefs about AIDS (SIDA), Latino adults were sampled at two U.S. sites (Connecticut and Texas) and two international sites (Mexico and Guatemala). A 125-item questionnaire covered risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and sequellae of AIDS. The cultural consensus model was used to determine the cultural beliefs for each sample. Responses from 161 people indicated that a single set of beliefs was present at each site and that beliefs were shared across sites. Comparison of answers between samples indicated high agreement (p < .0007). The proportion of shared beliefs, however, decreased significantly between samples: . 68 in Connecticut, . 60 in Texas, . 51 in Mexico, and . 41 in Guatemala (p < .05). The proportion of positive answers similarly decreased from Connecticut to Guatemala (p < .001). Beliefs were stronger and more detailed in the higher prevalence areas. Furthermore, Latino beliefs tended to converge on biomedical beliefs about the disease.
Kinase-Dependent Pathway Through a p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein 1 T Cells by TGF- + VII in Activated CD4(1,3)-Fucosyltransferase a Potent Induction of

Homing of effector T cells to sites of inﬂammation, particularly in the skin, is dependent on T cell expression of ligands for the endothelial selectins. Underlying expression of these ligands is the expression of a (1,3)-fucosyltransferase VII (FucT-VII), a FucT essential for biosynthesis of selectin ligands. FucT-VII is sharply induced in activated T cells by IL-12, but cytokines other than IL-12 that induce FucT-VII and functional selectin ligands have not been identiﬁed, and are likely to be important in homing of T cells to other selectin-dependent sites. Screening of a number of cytokines known to be active on T cells identiﬁed only TGF- b 1 as able to up-regulate FucT-VII mRNA levels and selectin ligands on activated CD4 T cells. The sharp increase in FucT-VII induced by TGF- b 1 in activated T cells was completely blocked by pharmacologic inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, but was unaffected by mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase inhibitors. The selective ability of TGF- b 1 to induce selectin ligands on activated T cells is likely important for T cell homing to the gut, which is a strongly selectin-dependent site, and correlates with the ability of TGF- b 1 to coordinately induce other gut-associated homing pathways. The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 165: 5011–5016.
Lys583 in the Third Extracellular Loop of the Lutropin/Choriogonadotropin Receptor Is Critical for Signaling (*)

The lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LH/CG-R) contains a relatively large extracellular domain, in addition to the seven transmembrane helices (TMH), three extracellular loops (ECL), and three intracellular loops typical of G protein-coupled receptors. While high affinity ligand binding has been attributed to the N-terminal extracellular domain, there is evidence that portions of the three ECLs may function in ligand binding and transmembrane signaling. We have investigated the role of several ionizable amino acid residues of rat LH/CG-R in human choriogonadotropin (hCG) binding and hCG-mediated cAMP production. COS-7 cells were transfected with the pSVL expression vector containing cDNAs of either wild-type or mutant rat LH/CG-R. Several point mutants of Lys583, located at the interface of ECL III and TMH VII, bound hCG like wild-type receptor but exhibited greatly diminished ligand-mediated signaling. Neither the point mutant, Lys401 → Asp (ECL I), nor the double mutant, Asp>397ed cells, only the double mutant bound hCG. The mutants Arg341 → Glu (interface of the extracellular domain and TMH I) and Lys488 → Glu (ECL II) proved to be similar to wild-type receptor in binding and signaling. Our results establish that Lys583 is important in signaling but not ligand binding. Its location on the opposite side of the membrane from Gs precludes a direct interaction, thus emphasizing the importance of a conformational change in the receptor and suggesting that ligand binding to receptor and ligand-mediated receptor activation are dissociable phenomena.