Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of West African Ethnicity and Gender on Beta-Cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Essential Hypertensives Treated with Hydrochlorothiazide and Hydrochlorothiazide-lisinopril Combination

Objective: To assess the effects of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) given alone and in combination with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) on beta-cell function in a negroid population to further explore possible ethnic differences in the effect of antihypertensive drugs on homeostasis model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Materials and Methods: A total of 80 newly diagnosed Nigerian essential hypertensive patients were assigned to receive either HCT 25 mg daily or both HCT and lisinopril (Lis; 25/10 mg daily) in an open-label study for 12 weeks. The treatment groups were well matched in clinical and demographic baseline features. Changes in HOMA-IR from baseline to end of study (week 12), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum potassium, serum insulin, and blood pressure over the same period were also evaluated. Results: After 12 weeks, mean delta HOMA-IR (and %) was higher in the HCT monotherapy group; although, this change did not reach statistical significance in both groups −0.1 ± 7.1, P= 0.538 (HCT) and 0.6 ± 4.2 P= 0.913 (HCT + Lis); an insignificant increase was observed in FPG and serum insulin in both groups, whereas serum potassium decreased in similar fashion. Blood pressure reduction was similar in both groups. Analysis of HOMA-IR change according to gender in response to HCT mono- or combination therapy with Lis showed no significant difference. Conclusions: HCT monotherapy in hypertensive indigenous Nigerians, was not associated with worse metabolic effects when compared with combination therapy using Lis, an ACEI after 12 weeks. Low-dose thiazide diuretic as first-line antihypertensive medication may be safe in the short-term, further larger and long-term studies are needed to corroborate this finding.
How specific is case specificity?

Objectives Case specificity implies that success on any case is specific to that case. In examining the sources of error variance in performance on case‐based examinations, how much error variance results from differences between cases compared with differences between items within cases? What is the optimal number of cases and questions within cases to maximise test reliability given some fixed period of examination time?
Testicular cancer susceptibility in the 129.MOLF-Chr19 mouse strain: additive effects, gene interactions and epigenetic modifications.

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common solid cancers affecting young men. Although the evidence for genetic predisposition to TGCTs in humans is compelling, the genetic control of susceptibility is poorly understood. The 129S1/SvImJ (129/Sv) inbred strain of mice is an excellent model for studying TGCT susceptibility. We previously reported a new mouse strain, the 129.MOLF-Chr19 chromosome substitution strain, which develops spontaneous TGCTs at a high frequency (70-80%) as compared with the much lower rate in the 129/Sv strain (5%). To characterize the genetic control of TGCT susceptibility, we created a panel of single- and double-congenic strains derived from 129.MOLF-Chr19. The frequency of TGCTs in these strains suggests that several genes with additive and epistatic effects located at distinct sites on chromosome 19 control susceptibility. However, an alternative interpretation involving epigenesis is based on a striking correlation between TGCT frequency and the length of the MOLF-derived congenic segment, regardless of their chromosomal location on Chr 19 in each congenic strain. We also show that bilateral TGCT cases result from the coincidental co-occurrence of unilateral TGCTs rather than from the action of distinct genes that control susceptibility to bilateral versus unilateral TGCT cases. Finally, we propose that these TGCTs result from disrupted testicular and spermatogenic developmental programs.
Immune function in patients with β thalassaemia receiving the orally active iron‐chelating agent deferiprone

Short‐term deferiprone may reduce body iron in some patients with thalassaemia major. Concerns regarding potential immunosuppressive effects of deferiprone have been raised from results of animal studies and case reports in humans. We studied immune function in 57 thalassaemia patients: 36 treated with deferiprone (L1; CP020) and 21 treated with desferrioxamine (DFO). Circulating B lymphocytes were increased in all patient groups. No differences were detected between treatment groups in percentages of circulating lymphocytes, concentrations of IgG, IgM or IgA, specific antibody titres, complement levels, or in vitro lymphocyte proliferation. No clinically important infections were observed in any patient. These data suggest that no clinical or laboratory changes consistent with immunosuppression or immunodeficiency are observed during deferiprone therapy.
Collagenous Sprue: A Clinicopathologic Study of 12 Cases

Collagenous sprue is a rare form of small bowel enteropathy characterized by chronic diarrhea and progressive malabsorption with little data available on its natural history. The pathologic lesion consists of subepithelial collagen deposition associated with variable alterations in villous architecture. The small bowel biopsies of 12 cases were reviewed. Clinical details, celiac serology, and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement study results, when available, were collated. There were 8 females and 4 males (age ranged from 41 to 84 y) who presented with chronic diarrhea and weight loss. Small intestinal biopsies showed subepithelial collagen deposition with varying degrees of villous atrophy and varying numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes. Four patients had previous biopsies showing enteropathic changes without collagen deposition. Seven cases were associated with collagenous colitis and 1 also had features of lymphocytic colitis. Three patients also had collagen deposition in gastric biopsies. One case was associated with lymphocytic gastritis. Celiac disease (CD, gluten-sensitive enteropathy) was documented in 4 patients. Five patients made a clinical improvement with combinations of a gluten-free diet and immunosuppressive therapy. Two patients died of complications of malnutrition and 1 of another illness. Clonal T-cell populations were identified in 5 of 6 cases tested. Four of these patients improved clinically after treatment but 1 has died. Collagenous sprue evolved on a background of CD in 4 cases. There was no history of CD in others and these cases may be the result of a biologic insult other than gluten sensitivity. None has developed clinical evidence of lymphoma to date.
Novel Method for Genotyping Hepatitis B Virus on the Basis of TaqMan Real-Time PCR

ABSTRACT Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important cause of cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. HBV is currently classified into eight genotypes, A to H. Accumulated evidence shows that the genotype influences both the clinical course of infection and the response to treatment. We describe a new method for genotyping based on TaqMan real-time PCR, which identifies all HBV genotypes without post-PCR processing. In this assay, each sample is processed in four multiplex real-time PCRs, each targeting two or three genotype-specific segments of HBV. By analyzing 185 samples representing all genotypes and different proportions of genotype mixtures, we could validate high accuracy of the assay. We conclude that this new assay represents a significant advancement for both diagnostics and clinical research because it is accurate, practical, and based on a technique that is well established in many virological laboratories.
MARKET EFFICIENCY AND RETURN PREDICTABILITY IN THE EMERGING SECURITIZED REAL ESTATE MARKETS

This paper tests market efficiency and return predictability for twelve emerging and four developed securitized real estate markets from 1992 through 2009. The analysis is based on autocorrelation tests, as well as both single variance and multiple variance ratio tests. Furthermore, non-parametric runs tests are conducted. Empirical evidence shows that the efficient market hypothesis in its weak form is not rejected by any statistical test for seven of the twelve markets. This result is surprising, since all four developed securitized real estate stock markets analyzed do not follow a random walk. The results are confirmed by the analysis of excess returns following from technical trading rules.
Two zotarolimus-eluting stent generations: a meta-analysis of 12 randomised trials versus other limus-eluting stents and an adjusted indirect comparison

Objective To evaluate efficacy and safety of two zotarolimus-eluting stent generations versus other limus-eluting stents (LES), and to compare Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (R-ZES) with Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stents (E-ZES). Background The performance of zotarolimus-eluting stents versus other LES, and the possible improvements of R-ZES versus E-ZES still remain to be defined. Methods We undertook a meta-analysis of trials in which patients were randomly assigned to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with R-ZES versus LES, or with E-ZES versus LES, as well as an indirect comparison of R-ZES versus E-ZES, with LES as common comparator. The primary efficacy endpoint was ischaemia-driven target vessel revascularisation (ID-TVR); the primary safety endpoints were myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death and cumulative definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST). Results Overall, 13'709 patients were assigned to PCI with R-ZES versus LES (n=7185) or with E-ZES versus LES (n=6524). The risk of ID-TVR (OR (95% CI)=1.06 (0.90 to 1.25), p=0.47), MI (1.00 (0.81 to 1.25), p=0.97), cardiac death (0.99 (0.69 to 1.42), p=0.96) and ST (1.18 (0.68 to 2.03), p=0.56) did not differ between R-ZES and LES. Patients receiving E-ZES were more likely to undergo ID-TVR as compared with those receiving LES (1.95 (1.40 to 2.73), p<0.0001). The risk of MI (0.91 (0.54 to 1.54), p=0.73), cardiac death (1.02 (0.54 to 1.91), p=0.96) and ST (1.10 (0.50 to 2.44), p=0.81) was similar between E-ZES and LES. At indirect comparison, PCI with R-ZES versus E-ZES reduced the risk of ID-TVR (0.54 (0.37 to 0.78), p=0.001), without increasing MI (1.09 (0.62 to 1.93), p=0.74), cardiac death (0.97 (0.46 to 2.00), p=0.93) and ST (1.07 (0.40 to 2.80), p=0.88). Conclusions The antirestenotic efficacy of Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents is superior to Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stents and similar to other limus-eluting stents. Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stents increase the risk of reinterventions as compared with other limus-eluting stents. First and second-generation zotarolimus-eluting stents have similar thrombogenicity compared with other limus-eluting stents.
Two transient outward currents in histamine neurones of the rat hypothalamus in vitro.

1. The transient outward current exhibited by the histamine neurones of the tuberomammillary nucleus was studied using the single‐electrode voltage clamp technique in an in vitro rat hypothalamic slice preparation. 2. The transient outward current exhibited steady‐state inactivation at the resting potential. Inactivation was removed by priming hyperpolarization with a V1/2 of ‐85 +/‐ 1.2 mV, while the V1/2 for activation was ‐60.3 +/‐ 2.1 mV. 3. The decay of the transient outward current was best fitted by two exponentials with time constants of 104 +/‐ 36 and 568 +/‐ 128 ms. These two components were provisionally termed IA,f and IA,s for the fast and slowly decaying currents, respectively. 4. Removal of inactivation was time dependent; inactivation was fully removed by hyperpolarizing pulses to ‐110 mV of 200 ms or greater duration. Removal of inactivation of IA,f was rapid, becoming complete with hyperpolarizing pre‐pulses of 50 ms or greater, while removal of inactivation of IA,s was not complete until hyperpolarizing pre‐pulses were 200 ms in duration. 5. The fast decaying current IA,f was selectively blocked by 1 mM‐4‐aminopyridine. Tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM) had no effect on either IA,f or IA,s. 6. The inactivation curves for IA,s, determined both by using the values obtained from the amplitude of the computed slower exponential function as well as that of the current remaining in 1 mM 4‐aminopyridine, were negative to those of IA,f. Similarly derived activation curves for IA,s were positive to those of IA,f. 7. Superfusion with a nominal 0 Ca2+ medium containing 10 mM‐Mg2+ did not reduce the maximal transient outward current. 8. The reversal potential of IA,s with 2.5 mM‐K+ in the medium was ‐95 +/‐ 3 mV; the reversal potential of IA,f was at least 15 mV negative to that of IA,s. 9. It is concluded that histaminergic tuberomammillary neurones possess at least two transient outward currents which can be distinguished on the basis of their rates of decay, 4‐aminopyridine sensitivity, voltage dependence and reversal potentials.
Measuring Productivity

Quantifying productivity is a conditio sine qua non for empirical analysis in a number of research fields. The identification of the measure that best fits with the specific goals, as well as being data driven, is currently complicated by the fact that an array of methodologies is available. This paper provides economic researchers with an up‐to‐date overview of issues and relevant solutions associated with this choice. Methods of productivity measurement are surveyed and classified according to three main criteria: (i) macro/micro; (ii) frontier/non‐frontier and (iii) deterministic/econometric.
Comparison of Subdermal Needle and Surface Adhesive Stimulating Electrodes for Somatosensory Evoked Potential Monitoring during Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

ABSTRACT Introduction: Needle stick injuries remain a physical and psychological burden to healthcare workers. Noninvasive surface adhesive stimulating electrodes used to generate somatosensory evoked potentials can help decrease this risk. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery to determine the utility and variability of using surface adhesive stimulating electrodes. Our analysis for utility compared alarm (significant changes) frequency, defined by established alarm criteria, between subdermal needle (Group I) and surface adhesive electrodes (Group II). We compared the variability by comparing the frequency of alarms based on establishing baselines during various stages of the procedure. Results: Between Group I and Group II, no significant differences were found in demographic, age, number of levels decompressed and fused, and length of surgery variability. However, stimulation intensity was significantly higher in Group II. Significant differences in the mean frequency of alarm of cortical, subcortical, and Erb’s somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) responses for the upper extremities between the two groups were only observed for the upper left Erb’s point amplitude (p = 0.03) at retraction and upper right cortical amplitude at incision (p = 0.02). The frequency of alarms of the amplitude of left ulnar cortical responses from SSEPs using surface adhesives when baselines were established at the beginning of the procedure, at the time of incision, and at placement of retractors were 13.83 % (±14.08%), 7.50 % (±7.56%) and 3.42 % (±3.48%), respectively. Comparatively, the frequencies of alarms of the amplitude of left ulnar cortical responses from SSEPs using needle electrodes were 18.07 % (±22.85%), 12.13 % (±17.30%) and 7.37 % (±11.82%), respectively. Similar results were observed from frequency for alarms from the right ulnar SSEPs. Conclusion: This study found little significant difference between the frequencies of alarm in patients who had SSEP responses obtained using surface adhesive electrodes when compared to needle electrodes. This lack of significant difference was observed even when alarms were established at various stages of the surgery before any major manipulation. For short procedures monitoring the upper extremities only, surface adhesive electrodes may provide a reliable alternative to invasive needle electrodes.
Assessment of neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

Amaç: Bu geriye dönük çalışmanın amacı, temporal lob epilepsili hastalarda preoperatif nötrofil/lenfosit ve trombosit/lenfosit oranını değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Nötrofil/lenfosit ve trombosit/lenfosit oranı analizi için temporal lob epilepsili 36 kişi ile kontrol grubunun hemogramları geriye dönük olarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Her iki oran da hasta grubunda daha yüksek saptandı ancak anlamlı farklılık saptanmadı (p>0.05). Nöbet sıklığı, nöbet süresi ve febril konvülsiyon ile nötrofil/lenfosit ve trombosit/lenfosit oranı arasında anlamlı ilişki bulunamamıştır. Sonuçlar, temporal lob epilepsili hastalarda nötrofil/lenfosit ve trombosit/lenfosit oranlarının kullanımına ilişkin kanıt sağlamamıştır. Sonuç: Genellenebilir sonuçlara ulaşmak için daha geniş ölçekli ileriye yönelik çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.
AIDS, security and governance in Southern Africa. Exploring the impact

It is widely acknowledged that HIV/AIDS will increasingly undermine the foundations of human and economic development. This is largely because individuals in the prime of their lives-the parents and workers of society-are at greater risk of being infected with the HI-virus. This paper examines some of the potential impacts of security and governance in Southern Africa-the region where global HIV-prevalence is highest.
Effects of nucleocapsid mutations on human immunodeficiency virus assembly and RNA encapsidation

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Pr55Gag precursor proteins direct virus particle assembly. While Gag-Gag protein interactions which affect HIV assembly occur in the capsid (CA) domain of Pr55Gag, the nucleocapsid (NC) domain, which functions in viral RNA encapsidation, also appears to participate in virus assembly. In order to dissect the roles of the NC domain and the p6 domain, the C-terminal Gag protein domain, we examined the effects of NC and p6 mutations on virus assembly and RNA encapsidation. In our experimental system, the p6 domain did not appear to affect virus release efficiency but p6 deletions and truncations reduced the specificity of genomic HIV-1 RNA encapsidation. Mutations in the nucleocapsid region reduced particle release, especially when the p2 interdomain peptide or the amino-terminal portion of the NC region was mutated, and NC mutations also reduced both the specificity and the efficiency of HIV-1 RNA encapsidation. These results implicated a linkage between RNA encapsidation and virus particle assembly or release. However, we found that the mutant ApoMTRB, in which the nucleocapsid and p6 domains of HIV-1 Pr55Gag were replaced with the Bacillus subtilis MtrB protein domain, released particles efficiently but packaged no detectable RNA. These results suggest that, for the purposes of virus-like particle assembly and release, NC can be replaced by a protein that does not appear to encapsidate RNA.
Evaluation of the Appropriateness of Pacemaker Mode Selection in Bradycardia Pacing:

Although guidelines for selection of the appropriate pacing mode have been published, little data is available on how closely these are followed in the clinical setting. All 738 patients (men 412, women 326; age 73.4 ± 0.46 years; range 19–101 years) who underwent pacemaker implantation from 1996 to 2000 were reviewed to determine if the appropriate mode was selected based on the ACC/AHA guidelines with the data collected prospectively. Demographic, investigational, and implantation data including the presence of sinus disease and/or atrioventricular block, diagnosis, indication for pacing, ACC/AHA class indication for device therapy, recommended ACC/AHA mode, implanted mode, and reason for not using the recommended mode were entered into an SPSS data base. Of 738 patients, 708 were cross‐tabulated for a match to the guidelines of which 358 (50.6%) had a mode selected that did not conform. The reasons were advanced physical disability (16%), physician choice without identifiable reason (21%), rate modulation selected without identifiable indication (16%), DDD implanted instead of VDD (25%), advanced age (9%), rare need for pacing (6%), a need for specific device features (5%), and unstable stimulation thresholds or difficult venous access (2%). In the treatment of bradyarrhythmias, deviation from the ACC/AHA indicated mode occurred in a substantial proportion of pacing system implantations. However, in many, the deviation appeared appropriate considering the patient's clinical status. Nevertheless, in a smaller proportion of patients the deviation appeared inappropriate requiring rectification. The two outstanding categories were: (1) elderly denied a dual chamber system with no clinical explanation and (2) selection of rate‐modulated devices without any indication of chronotropic incompetence. (PACE 2000; 26:2301–2307)
Internal Migration, Regional Economic Convergence, and Growth in Croatia

The article aims to explore internal migration flows, test for economic convergence, and assess the effects of internal migration (net and gross) on convergence and growth in terms of a neoclassical model in Croatia in the period 2000 to 2011. Croatia is a country with significant and persistent regional economic disparities, migration, and turbulent economic and political changes. The main findings of panel data analysis with fixed effects show that (i) contrary to the expectations based on neoclassical theory, the Croatian counties have been facing absolute and conditional economic divergence; (ii) in- and out-migration works symmetrically; (iii) net migration mainly appears to be a force that accelerates divergence, just opposite to gross in- and out-migration; (iv) although the estimated parameters of net and gross migration have expected signs, their effect size lies in the range from statistically significant but minor to insignificant; and (v) migrant characteristics and behavior matter when the effect size is considered.
A critical role of striatal A2AR–mGlu5R interactions in modulating the psychomotor and drug‐seeking effects of methamphetamine

Addiction to psychostimulants is a major public health problem with no available treatment. Adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) co‐localize with metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors (mGlu5R) in the striatum and functionally interact to modulate behaviours induced by addictive substances, such as alcohol. Using genetic and pharmacological antagonism of A2AR in mice, we investigated whether A2AR–mGlu5R interaction can regulate the locomotor, stereotypic and drug‐seeking effect of methamphetamine and cocaine, two drugs that exhibit distinct mechanism of action. Genetic deletion of A2AR, as well as combined administration of sub‐threshold doses of the selective A2AR antagonist (SCH 58261, 0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) with the mGlu5R antagonist, 3‐((2‐methyl‐4‐thiazolyl)ethynyl)pyridine (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.), prevented methamphetamine‐ but not cocaine‐induced hyperactivity and stereotypic rearing behaviour. This drug combination also prevented methamphetamine‐rewarding effects in a conditioned‐place preference paradigm. Moreover, mGlu5R binding was reduced in the nucleus accumbens core of A2AR knockout (KO) mice supporting an interaction between these receptors in a brain region crucial in mediating addiction processes. Chronic methamphetamine, but not cocaine administration, resulted in a significant increase in striatal mGlu5R binding in wild‐type mice, which was absent in the A2AR KO mice. These data are in support of a critical role of striatal A2AR–mGlu5R functional interaction in mediating the ambulatory, stereotypic and reinforcing effects of methamphetamine but not cocaine‐induced hyperlocomotion or stereotypy. The present study highlights a distinct and selective mechanistic role for this receptor interaction in regulating methamphetamine‐induced behaviours and suggests that combined antagonism of A2AR and mGlu5R may represent a novel therapy for methamphetamine addiction.