Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peripheral airway involvement in CF and asthma compared by inert gas washout

Multiple‐breath N2 washouts were performed before and after bronchodilation in 15 patients with moderately severe asthma (mean age 13 years), and in 11 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF; mean age 16 years) matched for FEV1. Eighteen healthy subjects (mean age 15 years) were studied before bronchodilation. The lung clearance index (LCI) was determined from the washout curve and gas trapping was assessed from five subsequent large breaths. Analysis of the progression of the concentration normalized phase III slopes (SnIII) over the washout was used to determine inhomogeneity in the conducting airways (Scond) and inhomogeneity close to or within the gas exchange zone (Sacin). Before bronchodilation all washout indexes were abnormal in the CF group, and all but Sacin in the asthma group. Two indexes were higher in CF than in asthma: LCI (11.5 (3.3) vs. 8.7 (1.3); P < 0.01), and Sacin (0.307 (0.207) vs. 0.142 (0.071); P < 0.01), while gas trapping indexes and Scond (0.151 (0.071) vs. 0.127 (0.041)) did not differ significantly. After bronchodilation, all indexes improved in asthma and only Scond remained abnormally elevated. In CF, only a modest but statistically significant Sacin improvement was seen and all indexes stayed abnormal. The study shows that overall ventilation inhomogeneity and particularly inhomogeneity in or close to the gas exchange zone are more pronounced in CF than in asthma matched for FEV1, while inhomogeneity in the conducting airway zone is similar. After bronchodilation, residual abnormalities of airway function are seen all through the airway tree in CF but only in the conducting airways in asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:168–176. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex differences in anxiety, sensorimotor gating and expression of the α4 subunit of the GABAA receptor in the amygdala after progesterone withdrawal

In a progesterone withdrawal (PWD) model of premenstrual anxiety, we have previously demonstrated that increased hippocampal expression of the α4 subunit of the GABAA receptor (GABAA‐R) is closely associated with higher anxiety levels in the elevated plus maze. However, several studies indicate that sex differences in regulation of the GABAA‐R in specific brain regions may be an important factor in the observed gender differences in mood disorders. Thus, we investigated possible sex differences in GABAA‐R subunit expression and anxiety during PWD. To this end, we utilized the acoustic startle response (ASR) to assess anxiety levels in male and female rats undergoing PWD as the ASR is also applicable to the assessment of human anxiety responses. We also investigated GABAA‐R α4 subunit expression in the amygdala, as the amygdala directly regulates the primary startle circuit. Female rats exhibited a greater ASR during PWD than controls, indicating higher levels of anxiety and arousal. In contrast, male rats undergoing PWD did not demonstrate an increased ASR. The sex differences in the ASR were paralleled by sex differences in the expression of the GABAA‐R α4 subunit in the amygdala such that α4 subunit expression was up‐regulated in females during PWD whereas α4 levels in males undergoing PWD were not altered relative to controls. These findings might have implications regarding gender differences in human mood disorders and the aetiology of premenstrual anxiety.
Effect of rpoS gene knockout on the metabolism of Escherichia coli during exponential growth phase and early stationary phase based on gene expressions, enzyme activities and intracellular metabolite concentrations

The RNA polymerase sigma factor, encoded by rpoS gene, controls the expression of a large number of genes in Escherichia coli under stress conditions. The present study investigated the growth characteristics and metabolic pathways of rpoS gene knockout mutant of E. coli growing in LB media under aerobic condition. The analyses were made based on gene expressions obtained by DNA microarray and RT‐PCR, enzyme activities and intracellular metabolite concentrations at the exponential and early stationary phases of growth. Although the glucose utilization pattern of the mutant was similar to the parent strain, the mutant failed to utilize acetate throughout the cultivation period. Microarray data indicated that the expression levels of several important genes of acetate metabolism such as acs, aceAB, cysDEK, fadR, etc. were significantly altered in the absence of rpoS gene. Interestingly, there was an increased activity of TCA cycle during the exponential growth phase, which was gradually diminished at the onset of stationary phase. Moreover, rpoS mutation had profound effect on the expression of several other genes of E. coli metabolic pathways that were not described earlier. The changes in the gene expressions, enzyme activities and intracellular metabolite concentrations of the rpoS mutant are discussed in details with reference to the major metabolic pathways of E. coli. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interaction of Pulmonary Surfactant Protein C with CD14 and Lipopolysaccharide

ABSTRACT In addition to their effects on alveolar surface tension, some components of lung surfactant also have immunological functions. We found recently that the hydrophobic lung surfactant protein SP-C specifically binds to the lipid A region of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we show that SP-C also interacts with CD14. Four observations showed cross talk between the three molecules SP-C, LPS, and CD14. (i) Like LBP, SP-C allows the binding of a fluorescent LPS to cells expressing CD14 (the other surfactant components were ineffective). (ii) Recombinant radiolabeled CD14 and SP-C (or a synthetic analog of SP-C) interact in a dose-dependent manner. (iii) LPS blocks the binding of radiolabeled CD14 to SP-C-coated wells. (iv) SP-C enhances the binding of radiolabeled CD14 to LPS-coated wells. These results, obtained with native murine SP-C and with three synthetic analogs, suggest that LPS and CD14 interact with the same region of SP-C and that binding of SP-C modifies the conformation of CD14 or the accessibility of its LPS-binding site, allowing it to bind LPS. This ability of SP-C to interact with the pattern recognition molecule CD14 extends the possible immunological targets of SP-C to a large panel of microorganisms that can enter the airways.
Estimating the Heterogeneous Impact of the Free Movement of Persons on Relative Wage Mobility

We analyse the impact of an inflow of foreign workers on positional wage mobility in a small open economy like Switzerland. We exploit the quasi-natural experiment constituted by the entry into force of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU on 1st June 2002. We compute conditional average treatment effects with machine learning methods, and we find evidence of relevant heterogeneity in the impact of this policy on wage mobility.
Rapid Evolution of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Genes in Primates Generates New Disease Alleles in Humans via Hitchhiking Diversity

A plausible explanation for many MHC-linked diseases is lacking. Sequencing of the MHC class I region (coding units or full contigs) in several human and nonhuman primate haplotypes allowed an analysis of single nucleotide variations (SNV) across this entire segment. This diversity was not evenly distributed. It was rather concentrated within two gene-rich clusters. These were each centered, but importantly not limited to, the antigen-presenting HLA-A and HLA-B/-C loci. Rapid evolution of MHC-I alleles, as evidenced by an unusually high number of haplotype-specific (hs) and hypervariable (hv) (which could not be traced to a single species or haplotype) SNVs within the classical MHC-I, seems to have not only hitchhiked alleles within nearby genes, but also hitchhiked deleterious mutations in these same unrelated loci. The overrepresentation of a fraction of these hvSNV (hv1SNV) along with hsSNV, as compared to those that appear to have been maintained throughout primate evolution (trans-species diversity; tsSNV; included within hv2SNV) tends to establish that the majority of the MHC polymorphism is de novo (species specific). This is most likely reminiscent of the fact that these hsSNV and hv1SNV have been selected in adaptation to the constantly evolving microbial antigenic repertoire.
Association of resistance‐related protein expression with poor vascularization and low levels of oxygen in human rectal cancer

Rectal carcinomas of previously untreated patients were analyzed for oxygen status using a computerized polarographic needle electrode histograph. Microvessel density and expression of c‐jun, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and several resistance‐related proteins (glutathione S‐transferase‐π, GST; thymidylate synthase, TS; metallothioneine, MT) were determined using immunohistochemistry. To examine whether a relationship exists between intratumoral vessel density and tumor oxygenation, microvessel counts were determined in a 400× field using factor‐VIII‐related antigen and were correlated with the corresponding pO2 values. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between vessel density and oxygenation status of the tumors. Expression of c‐jun, VEGF and resistance‐related proteins was correlated with microvessel counts and pO2 values. Significantly lower vessel counts were found in GST‐ and MT‐positive tumors and in tumors with overexpression of c‐jun and VEGF than in negative tumors. In addition, significantly lower pO2 values were found in c‐jun‐ and VEGF‐positive tumors as well as a tendency for pO2 values to be lower in tumors where MT, GST and TS were expressed. These data show that expression of c‐jun, VEGF, and resistance‐related proteins is linked with poor vascularization and low oxygenation status in rectal cancer. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical outcomes of WF10 adjunct to standard treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

OBJECTIVE To study clinical outcomes and safety of WF I 0 as an adjunct to standard treatment for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and to determine the optimal number of WF I 0 cycles that should be administered. METHOD A prospective, open-label study of WF I 0 adjunct to standard treatment for severe DFU but salvageable foot was carried out between July 2009 and June 20 I 0. Patients were classified into three groups, according to common clinical presentations: neuropathic ulcer, ischaemic ulcer and severely infected ulcer. Ulcer assessments were monitored using the wound severity score (WSS; range 0-16). The clinical outcomes at 24 weeks were defined as 'good' (ulcer achieved endpoint [WSS=0-1 ]), 'fair'(improved from baseline [WSS=2-4]) and 'poor' (not improved or worsened [WSS > 4]). RESULTS From a total of 129 patients, 21 ( 16%) presented with neuropathic ulcers, 49 (38%) with ischaemic ulcers and 59 (46%) with severely infected ulcers.AII neuropathic ulcers achieved either a good or fair outcome, with 81% achieving a good outcome, as did 49% and 81% of ischaemic and severely infected ulcers, respectively. Minor amputations were necessary for 14 patients (I I%), but no major amputation was required. Twenty seven patients (21 %) had transient reduction of haematocrit after WF I 0 therapy. One hundred and one patients (78 %) received only I cycle of WF I 0. CONCLUSION WF I 0 as an adjunct to standard DFU treatment showed good clinical outcomes in the neuropathic ulcer group and the severely infected ulcer group. A side effect of WF I 0, transient reduction of haematocrit, was observed in 21% of patients. Most patients required only one cycle of WF I 0.
Human factors assessment of conflict resolution aid reliability and time pressure in future air traffic control

Though it has been reported that air traffic controllers' (ATCos') performance improves with the aid of a conflict resolution aid (CRA), the effects of imperfect automation on CRA are so far unknown. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of imperfect automation on conflict resolution. Twelve students with ATC knowledge were instructed to complete ATC tasks in four CRA conditions including reliable, unreliable and high time pressure, unreliable and low time pressure, and manual conditions. Participants were able to resolve the designated conflicts more accurately and faster in the reliable versus unreliable CRA conditions. When comparing the unreliable CRA and manual conditions, unreliable CRA led to better conflict resolution performance and higher situation awareness. Surprisingly, high time pressure triggered better conflict resolution performance as compared to the low time pressure condition. The findings from the present study highlight the importance of CRA in future ATC operations. Practitioner Summary: Conflict resolution aid (CRA) is a proposed automation decision aid in air traffic control (ATC). It was found in the present study that CRA was able to promote air traffic controllers' performance even when it was not perfectly reliable. These findings highlight the importance of CRA in future ATC operations.
Variation in hospital-level risk-standardized complication rates following elective primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the variation in complication rates among U.S. hospitals that perform elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures. The purpose of this study was to use National Quality Forum (NQF)-endorsed hospital-level risk-standardized complication rates to describe variations in, and disparities related to, hospital quality for elective primary THA and TKA procedures performed in U.S. hospitals. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of national Medicare Fee-for-Service data. The study cohort included 878,098 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, sixty-five years or older, who underwent elective THA or TKA from 2008 to 2010 at 3479 hospitals. Both medical and surgical complications were included in the composite measure. Hospital-specific complication rates were calculated from Medicare claims with use of hierarchical logistic regression to account for patient clustering and were risk-adjusted for age, sex, and patient comorbidities. We determined whether hospitals with higher proportions of Medicaid patients and black patients had higher risk-standardized complication rates. RESULTS The crude rate of measured complications was 3.6%. The most common complications were pneumonia (0.86%), pulmonary embolism (0.75%), and periprosthetic joint infection or wound infection (0.67%). The median risk-standardized complication rate was 3.6% (range, 1.8% to 9.0%). Among hospitals with at least twenty-five THA and TKA patients in the study cohort, 103 (3.6%) were better and seventy-five (2.6%) were worse than expected. Hospitals with the highest proportion of Medicaid patients had slightly higher but similar risk-standardized complication rates (median, 3.6%; range, 2.0% to 7.1%) compared with hospitals in the lowest decile (3.4%; 1.7% to 6.2%). Findings were similar for the analysis involving the proportion of black patients. CONCLUSIONS There was more than a fourfold difference in risk-standardized complication rates across U.S. hospitals in which elective THA and TKA are performed. Although hospitals with higher proportions of Medicaid and black patients had rates similar to those of hospitals with lower proportions, there is a continued need to monitor for disparities in outcomes. These findings suggest there are opportunities for quality improvement among hospitals in which elective THA and TKA procedures are performed.
Response of canine cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma to lomustine (CCNU): a retrospective study of 46 cases (1999-2004).

BACKGROUND Epitheliotropic lymphoma (ELSA) is an uncommon cutaneous canine malignancy of T lymphocytes. A consensus regarding the therapeutic standard of care is lacking, warranting evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents traditionally employed against canine nodal lymphoma in the treatment of ELSA. HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this retrospective, multi-institutional study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea (CCNU) in the treatment of ELSA. ANIMALS Forty-six dogs with adequate follow-up and treatment response information. METHODS All cases were diagnosed histopathologically. Immunohistochemisty (CD3, CD79a) was performed on 42/46 samples. RESULTS Presenting skin lesions included generalized scales (25/46), plaques or nodules (22/46), mucocutaneous lesions (14/ 46), and corneal involvement (1/46). Lymph node involvement and Sézary syndrome were documented in 7 and 2 dogs, respectively. The median number of CCNU treatments was 4 (range, 1-11), with a median starting dose of 60 mg/m(2) (range, 30-95). Of the 46 dogs, 15 achieved complete remission, 23 achieved partial remission, 5 had stable disease, and 3 had progressive disease, for an overall response rate of 83%. The median number of treatments to achieve a response was 1 (range, 1-6). The overall median duration of response was 94 days (range, 22-282). Sixteen dose reductions were required because of neutropenia (10/46), thrombocytopenia (1/46), anemia (1/46), increased liver enzyme activity (3/46), or unspecified reasons (1/46). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Given the high response rate and well tolerated protocol, prospective studies are warranted to investigate the utility of CCNU alone or in multi-agent protocols for the treatment of ELSA.
Identification and characterization of pbpC, the gene encoding Bacillus subtilis penicillin-binding protein 3

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are enzymes involved in the synthesis of peptidoglycan structures in Bacillus subtilis such as the vegetative cell wall and the spore cortex. The B. subtilis sequencing project has identified a gene (orf16, EMBL accession number D38161) which exhibits significant sequence similarity to genes encoding class B high-molecular-weight PBPs. We have found that orf16 encodes PBP3 and have renamed this locus pbpC. Transcriptional fusions to lacZ were used to demonstrate that pbpC is transcribed primarily during log-phase growth, with lower amounts expressed during sporulation. During spore germination and outgrowth, pbpC expression resumes coincident with an increase in the optical density of the culture. The major promoter for pbpC is located just upstream of the gene; a low level of expression during sporulation appears to originate from much further upstream. Loss of PBP3 does not produce any detectable change in phenotype with respect to cell morphology, growth, sporulation, spore heat resistance, or spore germination and outgrowth. This was also true when the pbpC mutation was combined with mutations affecting other PBP-encoding genes to produce double mutants. These findings are consistent with previous evidence that many PBPs of B. subtilis have redundant functions within the cell.
Changes in the Stocks Prices Behavior Before and After the Public Holidays: Case of Bucharest Stock Exchange

Very often, the holiday effects are studied only for the first day before and for the first day after any public holiday. Beside these traditional forms of the holiday effects it was revealed an extended one, which refers to the abnormal stocks returns occurring in intervals, containing some days before and some days after public holidays. This paper approaches the persistence in time of the traditional and extended holiday effects on the Romanian capital market. We investigate these calendar effects by employing the daily values of four important indexes from the Bucharest Stock Exchange during three periods: one relative quiet, from September 1997 to December 2006, one turbulent, from January 2007 to December 2012 and another relative quiet period, from January 2013 to May 2018. The traditional holiday effects were present during the first two periods but they disappeared in the third one. Instead, we found that extended holiday effects were more persistent in time although they seemed sensitive to the capital market turbulences.
Isolation of a chitin synthase gene (CHS1) from Candida albicans by expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Chitin synthase activity was studied in yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans. pH‐activity profiles showed that yeast and hyphae contain a protease‐dependent activity that has an optimum at pH 6.8. In addition, there is an activity that is not activated by proteolysis in vitro and which shows a peak at pH 8.0. This suggests there are two distinct chitin syntheses in C albicans.
The role of iron in neurodegeneration—Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neuroimaging studies

The possible role of iron in neurodegeneration was studied by various techniques: electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Mössbauer spectroscopy, atomic absorption, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The measurements were made on human tissues extracted from liver and from brain structures involved in diseases of the human brain: substantia nigra (Parkinson’s, PD), hippocampal cortex (Alzheimer’s, AD) and globus pallidus (progressive supranuclear palsy, PSP). The sizes of the iron cores of ferritin, the main iron storage compound in tissues, were found to be smaller in brain than in liver. Brain ferritin has a higher proportion of H to L chains compared to liver. A significant decrease of the concentration of L chains in PD compared to control was found. No increase in the concentration of iron in PD versus control was detected; however, there was an increase of labile iron, which constitutes only 2‰ of brain iron. In AD an increase in the concentration of ferritin was noticed, without a significant increase in iron concentration. In PSP an increase of total iron was observed. Our findings suggest that the mechanisms leading to the death of nerve cells in these three diseases may be different, although all may be related to iron mediated oxidative stress.
‘Borderline Personality’: Diagnostic Attitudes at the Maudsley Hospital

Summary About a quarter of the psychiatrists at the Maudsley Hospital use the diagnosis of ‘borderline’ personality. The description of the borderline patient obtained in this study does not overlap with any existing ICD personality disorder but has characteristics of the schizoid, paranoid, hysteric, explosive, anankastic and antisocial personalitities. The item that discriminated best between borderlines and controls was ‘brief, unsystematized, psychotic episodes', which is not included in the DSM-III definitions of borderline diagnoses. Items of the DSM-III ‘schizotypal’ set—e.g. ‘suspiciousness' and ‘ideas of reference'—discriminated better between borderline cases and controls, whereas items of the DSM-III ‘borderline personality’ set—e.g. ‘impulsivity’ or ‘unpredictability'— scored more frequently in both groups. These are similar to American findings.
A dyspraxic deficit in specific language impairment and developmental coordination disorder? Evidence from hand and arm movements

The extent to which children with either specific language impairment (SLI) or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) could be considered dyspraxic was examined using three tasks involving either familiar, or unfamiliar actions. SLI is diagnosed in children who fail to develop language in the normal fashion for no apparent reason, while the DCD diagnosis is applied to a child who experiences problems with movement in the absence of other difficulties. Seventy‐two children aged between 5 and 13 years participated, falling into one of four groups: (1) children with specific language impairment (SLI), (2) children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), (3) age‐matched control children, and (4) younger control children. The performance of the clinical groups resembled that of younger normally developing children. Children with SLI, DCD, and the younger controls showed significant difficulty on the task requiring the production of familiar, but not unfamiliar postures. The deficit observed in the SLI group is particularly striking because it was seen both in those with and those without recognized motor difficulties.