Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beeinflusst die Misteltherapie die Abwehr epithelialer Tumoren? Eine kritische immunologische Analyse

Dtsch. Med. Wschr. 0120472 001; 126: 339–345 © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York Ü b e r s i c h t e n Die Entwicklung neuer Verfahren in der Therapie von Karzinom-Patienten gehört zu den großen Herausforderungen der wissenschaftlichen Medizin. Im Mittelpunkt der Forschung stehen vor allem die Steigerung von immunologischen Abwehrmechanismen, zum Beispiel via einer verbesserten Erkennung von Tumor-Epitopen (1, 14, 42). Auch dem Einsatz von Mistelpräparaten liegt das Konzept zugrunde, dass durch die subkutan applizierten Extrakte eines aus Misteln verschiedener Wirtsbäume gewonnenen »Antigen-Gemisches« die Immunabwehr günstig beeinflusst werden kann (2, 8). Obgleich bisher klinisch-experimentelle Hinweise fehlen, dass unter der Therapie Antigen-, d.h. Tumor-spezifische Reaktionen induziert werden können, wird in Einzelbeobachtungen immer wieder auf eine Hemmung des Tumorwachstums hingewiesen, aber auch auf eine bessere Verträglichkeit der Chemotherapie sowie eine günstige Beeinflussung der Schmerzsymptomatik (41).
Mapping functional regions of transcription factor TFIIIA

Functional deletion mutants of the trans-acting factor TFIIIA, truncated at both ends of the molecule, have been expressed by in vitro transcription of a cDNA clone and subsequent cell-free translation of the synthetic mRNAs. A region of TFIIIA 19 amino acids or less, near the carboxyl terminus, is critical for maximal transcription and lies outside the DNA-binding domain. The elongated protein can be aligned over the internal control region (ICR) of the Xenopus 5S RNA gene with its carboxyl terminus oriented toward the 5' end of the gene and its amino terminus oriented toward the 3' end of the gene. The nine "zinc fingers" and the linkers that separate them comprise 80% of the protein mass and correspond to the DNA-binding domain of TFIIIA. The zinc fingers near the amino terminus of the protein contribute more to the overall binding energy of the protein to the ICR than do the zinc fingers near the carboxyl end. The most striking feature of TFIIIA is its modular structure. This is demonstrated by the fact that each zinc finger binds to just one of three short nucleotide sequences within the ICR.
A Defective Stimulus-Secretion Coupling Rather Than Glucotoxicity Mediates the Impaired Insulin Secretion in the Mildly Diabetic F1 Hybrids of GK-Wistar Rats

Adult F1 hybrids of male GK and female Wistar control rats exhibit mild, spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus characterized by impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion. Using isolated pancreatic islets of hybrid rats, we first studied whether impaired glucose-induced insulin response is present not only in adult but also in neonatal rats. Furthermore, we investigated whether the impaired glucose-induced insulin response can be restored by long-term normalization of glycemia. Both 1-week- and 2- to 3-month-old hybrid rats had similar body weights but increased fed blood glucose levels (P < 0.05) compared with age-matched control rats. At 5.5 mmol/1 glucose, insulin release was two- to threefold lower in isolated islets of hybrid than in control rats of both age groups (P < 0.05). At 16.7 mmol/1 glucose, insulin secretion from hybrid islets was ∼25% of that from control islets of both 1-week- and 2- to 3-month-old rats. For the second objective, batches of 250 islets from hybrid or control rats were transplanted under the kidney capsule of athymic, normoglycemic nude mice and maintained there for 4 weeks. Perfusion of kidneys demonstrated that glucose-induced (16.7 mmol/l) insulin secretion was impaired markedly in hybrid grafts compared with that in control grafts (0.66 ± 0.23 vs. 1.8 ± 0.38 pmol/20 min; P < 0.01), whereas stimulation by 20 mmol/l arginine resulted in similar insulin responses in both groups. The volumes of the grafted islets were similar in kidneys bearing either control or hybrid islets. In conclusion, in hybrid rats the insulin response to glucose is impaired already at neonatal age. This impairment was not restored by long-term maintenance of the hybrid islets in a normoglycemic environment, whereas the arginine effect was intact. These findings suggest that the primary defect resides in the stimulus-secretion coupling for glucose in the β-cell and that hyperglycemia (glucotoxicity) does not play a major role in sustaining this selective β-cell defect.
Suicidal ideation in an adolescent clinical sample : attachment patterns and clinical implications

This study investigated the relationship between attachment patterns and suicidal ideation in a clinical sample of adolescents. Participants (n=116) were assessed on level of current ideation through self-report questionnaires. Lethality of methods contemplated was also rated on a subset of the sample (n=16) who, in addition to endorsing current suicidal ideation, presented a plan on a diagnostic interview. Quality of attachment to care-givers based on a semi-structured clinical interview was assessed using Bartholomew’s two-dimensional, four-category model of attachment. Categorical analyses indicated that youth with predominantly fearful or preoccupied attachment were more likely to endorse suicidal ideation than were predominantly secure or dismissing youth. Severity of suicidal ideation was positively correlated with ratings of fearfulness and negatively correlated with ratings on the secure and dismissing patterns. Greater lethality in methods of contemplated suicide was positively correlated with preoccupied tendencies. The importance of attachment theory for understanding the factors underlying suicidal ideation in troubled youth is discussed and implications for therapeutic intervention are presented.
Association between use of proton pump inhibitors and non-typhoidal salmonellosis identified following investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Mikawasima in the UK, 2013

SUMMARY In November 2013, national public health agencies in England and Scotland identified an increase in laboratory-confirmed Salmonella Mikawasima. The role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as a risk factor for salmonellosis is unclear; we therefore captured information on PPI usage as part of our outbreak investigation. We conducted a case-control study, comparing each case with two controls. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Thirty-nine of 61 eligible cases were included in the study. The median age of cases was 45 years; 56% were female. Of these, 33% were admitted to hospital and 31% reported taking PPIs. We identified an association between PPIs and non-typhoidal salmonellosis (aOR 8·8, 95% CI 2·0–38·3). There is increasing evidence supporting the existence of an association between salmonellosis and PPIs; however, biological studies are needed to understand the effect of PPIs in the pathogenesis of Salmonella. We recommend future outbreak studies investigate PPI usage to strengthen evidence on the relevance of PPIs in Salmonella infection. These findings should be used to support the development of guidelines for patients and prescribers on the risk of gastrointestinal infection and PPI usage.
Neuromodulation 10 years on: how widely should we use this technique in bladder dysfunction?

Purpose of review There has been growing interest in sacral nerve stimulation in the management of both overactivity syndromes and nonobstructive voiding dysfunction. Its increased use has led to a growth in experience with this treatment and where and when it is best used. At this point, some technical aspects of the use of neuromodulation have become more standardized and the next stages of research will hopefully shed light on how to maximize the efficacy of the technique. Recent findings Over the past year, there has been considerable interest and development of the use of neuromodulation in colorectal surgery and much of the literature has been in this field. Recent urological developments focus on modification of technique and attempts to identify which patients are more likely to find benefit. Summary Neuromodulation has a role in the treatment of nonobstructed urinary retention and overactive bladder syndrome, especially when accompanied by urgency incontinence. There are a number of unanswered questions remaining, however, which will need to be addressed to maximize its benefit.
The tyranny of the Balanced Scorecard in the innovation economy

Purpose – To trace the rationale, features, development and application of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) over the past ten years, to provide a critical review of its key problematic effects, and to suggest a future direction. Design/methodology/approach – The shift from the industrial to the innovation economy provides a background to identifying five major problem areas of the BSC which are then discussed with reference to selected case examples. An alternative systemic scorecard is then proposed. Findings – The tyranny of the BSC as a measurement “straightjacket” is beginning to jeopardize the survival of firms, hinders much‐needed business ecosystem innovation, thereby negatively affecting customer value rejuvenation, shareholders' benefits, other stakeholders as well as societal benefits in general. A more systemic alternative is proposed. Research limitations/implications – Future research might focus on further development of the systemic scorecard in different industries and organisational settings with detailed systemic measurement techniques. Practical implications – Rather than relying on the static BSC, it would be more effective to adopt a systemic perspective in measuring/managing intangible assets. Originality/value – An alternative to the BSC is proposed that involves radical change in its underlying assumptions by moving to a more systemic, dynamic framework – a systemic management system, including a systemic scorecard.
Diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease: increasing the odds of a positive rectal biopsy result.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Rectal biopsies are performed as a definitive means of diagnosing Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) in children presenting with constipation. The authors hypothesized that key features in the history, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation would allow us to avoid unnecessary rectal biopsies. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing rectal biopsy between 1995 and 2001. Patients with HD were identified (n = 50), and a concurrent cohort of patients with idiopathic constipation (IC; n = 50) was selected. Pertinent features in patients with HD versus those with IC were cross tabulated using Pearson Chi2 testing (significance was P <.05). RESULTS Sixty percent of patients with HD and 15% of patients with IC experienced onset of symptoms in the first week of life. HD patients more frequently experienced delayed passage of meconium (P <.05), abdominal distension (P <.05), vomiting (P <.05), and transition zone on contrast enema (P <.05). All patients with HD had one or more of these significant features. In contrast, only 64% of patients with IC had one or more of these features. The classic triad of symptoms (ie, delayed passage of meconium, vomiting, and abdominal distension) was present in 18%, and one or more of these symptoms was present in 98% of HD patients. In contrast, only 60% of patients with IC had a history of delayed passage of meconium, vomiting, or abdominal distension. CONCLUSIONS A history of delayed passage of meconium, abdominal distension, vomiting or the results of a contrast enema identified all patients with HD and excluded HD in approximately 36% of patients with idiopathic constipation. The authors have shown that key features in a patient's history, physical examination, and radiologic evaluation can differentiate between HD and IC. In a child presenting with constipation and none of the above features, it is not necessary to perform a rectal biopsy to exclude HD.
Research on Countermeasures to the Problems in the Development of the Fourth Party Logistics in China

Because Third Party Logistics cannot meet the customer Enterprise's need to integrate the supply chain, Fourth Party Logistics is attached more and more importance. This paper introduce the concept of Fourth Party logistics, offer a center measure to adopt in the development of Fourth Party Logistics in China basing on the analysis of problems and risks faced in the development of Fourth Party Logistics.
Odour concentration affects odour identity in honeybees

The fact that most types of sensory stimuli occur naturally over a large range of intensities is a challenge to early sensory processing. Sensory mechanisms appear to be optimized to extract perceptually significant stimulus fluctuations that can be analysed in a manner largely independent of the absolute stimulus intensity. This general principle may not, however, extend to olfaction; many studies have suggested that olfactory stimuli are not perceptually invariant with respect to odour intensity. For many animals, absolute odour intensity may be a feature in itself, such that it forms a part of odour identity and thus plays an important role in discrimination alongside other odour properties such as the molecular identity of the odorant. The experiments with honeybees reported here show a departure from odour-concentration invariance and are consistent with a lower-concentration regime in which odour concentration contributes to overall odour identity and a higher-concentration regime in which it may not. We argue that this could be a natural consequence of odour coding and suggest how an ‘intensity feature’ might be useful to the honeybee in natural odour detection and discrimination.
Parental-Fetal Attachment and Couvade: A Study of Patterns of Human-Environment Integrality

The general purpose of the study was to address the difficulty of explaining fathers' prenatal attachments to their unborn children and the difficulty of explaining the phenomenon of couvade. Rogers' principle of integrality was used to derive a theory of the nature of the interactions between fathers and their unborn children as being a human-environment energy field process. The theory held the possibility of fathers having a relationship with their unborn children which was not wholly derivative of their relationship with their pregnant partners; it posited the possible association of fathers' attachment, mothers' attachment, and fathers' couvade experiences. Couvade experiences, previously studied as male pregnancy-like symptoms, were conceptualized as fathers' recognition of changes in themselves and their environments which included their emerging children. Measures of fathers' and mothers' attachments and fathers' ratings of their couvade experiences were obtained during the third trimester for 110 couples' pregnancies. The hypothesized relations among parents' fetal attachments and couvade were not supported. An inverse relation (r = -0.47, p < 0.001) between fathers' and mothers' attachment scores led to revisions of the interpretation of integrality as used in this study.
Effects of Sodium Salt Solutions (Sodium Acetate, Lactate and Citrate) on Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) Fillets under Refrigerated Storage

Effects of sodium salt solutions on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of refrigerated Persian sturgeon ( Acipenser persicus ) fillets during 12 days of storage were investigated. Fillets were dipped in solutions (2.5% w/v) of sodium acetate (SA), sodium lactate (SL), sodium citrate (SC) and distilled water (as control) for 10 minutes and then packaged. An assessment of TBARS, FFA, pH, heme iron and sensory attributes (flavor, color and odor) was carried out on 0,3,6,9 and 12 days past the storage time. Results indicated that TBARS values of each sample increased with the storage time (P 0.05) were observed among the pH values of the treatments. Heme iron assessment showed that the samples treated with sodium acetate contained more heme iron as compared with control. Sensory assessment revealed more desirable scores for the sodium acetate treated group as compared with others samples. The order for the sodium salt treated effects was: SA> SC> SL. As a consequence, sodium salts, in particular sodium acetate, might be considered as effective tools in preventing the quality degradation of the fillets, resulting in an extension of their shelf life.
Multisite analytic performance studies of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of BRAF V600E mutations in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of malignant melanoma.

CONTEXT A polymerase chain reaction-based companion diagnostic (cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test) was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to select patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma for treatment with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. OBJECTIVES (1) To compare the analytic performance of the cobas test to Sanger sequencing by using screening specimens from phase II and phase III trials of vemurafenib, and (2) to assess the reproducibility of the cobas test at different testing sites. DESIGN Specimens from 477 patients were used to determine positive and negative percent agreements between the cobas test and Sanger sequencing for detecting V600E (1799T>A) mutations. Specimens were evaluated with a massively parallel pyrosequencing method (454) to resolve discordances between polymerase chain reaction and Sanger results. Reproducibility of the cobas test was assessed at 3 sites by using 3 reagent lots and an 8-member panel of melanoma samples. RESULTS A valid cobas result was obtained for all eligible patients. Sanger sequencing had a failure rate of 9.2% (44 of 477). For the remaining 433 specimens, positive percent agreement was 96.4% (215 of 223) and negative percent agreement, 80% (168 of 210). Among 42 cobas mutation-positive/Sanger V600E-negative specimens, 17 were V600E positive and 24 were V600K positive by 454. The cobas test detected 70% of V600K mutations. In the reproducibility study, a correct interpretation was made for 100% of wild-type specimens and specimens with greater than 5% mutant alleles; V600E mutations were detected in 90% of specimens with less than 5% mutant alleles. CONCLUSIONS The cobas test (1) had a lower assay failure rate than that of Sanger, (2) was more sensitive in detecting V600E mutations, (3) detected most V600K mutations, and (4) was highly reproducible.
Subtyping Method for Escherichia coli Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin) 2 Variants and Correlations to Clinical Manifestations

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was subtyped by a method involving partial sequencing of the stxAB2 operon. Of 255 strains from the Danish STEC cohort, all 20 cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome were associated with subtype Stx2 (11 cases), subtype Stx2c (1 case), or the two combined (8 cases).
An Empirical Model for RRAM Resistance in Low- and High-Resistance States

We present a simple empirical expression describing hafnium-based RRAM resistance at different reset voltages and current compliances. The model that we propose describes filament resistance measured at low ( ~ 0.1 V) reading voltage in both low-resistance state (LRS) and high-resistance state (HRS). The proposed description confirms that conduction in LRS is ohmic (after forming with a sufficiently high current compliance) and is consistent with the earlier description of HRS resistance as controlled by a trap-assisted electron transfer via traps in the oxidized portion of the filament. The length of the nonohmic part of the filament is found to be directly proportional to reset voltage. Moreover, low-frequency noise measurements at different reset voltages evidence a tradeoff between HRS resistance and noise in reading conditions.
Relevance of Alkaline Phosphatase activity of immobilized green algae and cyanobacteria for heavy metal toxicity monitoring

Harmful effects of contaminants on the ecosystem and humans cannot be assessed by standard chemical analyses of environmental samples, therefore toxici ty tests using live organisms or cells represent a vital part of environmental monitoring. Biological methods based on microorganisms as test-species, have already successfully been applied to environmental toxicity /genotoxicity assessment. The enzyme activity is ex amined in presence of essential and non-essential heavy me tals (Ni, Zn, Cd) in green algae and cyanobacteria. The activity is based on total p-nitrophenol formed in a known volume of culture suspension. The activity was deleteriously affected in a concentration dependent manner. The maximum Apase activity observed in immobilized state of A.nidulans was 14.6 n moles pNP µg protein -1 per 30 minutes in presence of noninhibitory level of Ni and Cd. The effect due to in teraction between different variables (cell state t ype, metal type and metal dose) depicted a significant variati on (P< 0.01, ANOVA) in the Apase activity of free and immobilized cells of S. quadricauda and A. nidulans . This study describes the alkaline phosphatase act ivity which may differ with metal type, cell type or meta l dose of the solution. Immobilization may protect the cell enzyme activity against the toxicity of heavy metal s. The study may help in designing biosensor when estimating heavy metals quantitatively.
Adverse Effect of T-2 Toxin and the Protective Role of Selenium and Vitamin E on Peripheral Blood B lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND T-2 mycotoxin belongs to the Trichothecene family and has damaging effects on the immune system. OBJECTIVE To investigate the toxic effect of T-2 toxin on the percentage of peripheral blood B lymphocytes and the potential protective role of selenium and vitamin E. METHOD Frequencies of B lymphocytes (CD19+) were analyzed after injection of sublethal doses of T-2 toxin into Balb/c mice at different time points, using flowcytometry. Additionally, the effects of selenium and vitamin E on B lymphocyte, as either prophylaxis or simultaneously administered with T-2 toxin, were investigated. RESULTS After injection of a sublethal dose of T-2 toxin, the number of B cells (CD19+) significantly decreased at 12 h and became normal at 72 h. When selenium was injected both 24 h before and simultaneously with T-2 toxin, it was able to inhibit B lymphocyte (CD19+) reduction. In contrast, injecting vitamin E, 24 h before or simultaneously with T-2 toxin did not regulate B lymphocyte alteration. CONCLUSION Selenium plays pivotal role on altered B lymphocyte subset induced by T-2 toxin comparing to vitamin E.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Functional, Psychosocial, and Neurobehavioral Outcomes After Brain Injury

Because of the growing minority population in the past 3 decades in the United States and the increasing numbers of individuals who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), researchers and clinicians have started to pay more attention to the role of race and ethnicity in outcomes after TBI, with the goal of better serving this population. The aim of this article is to review the literature on the influence of race/ethnicity on functional, psychosocial, and neurobehavioral outcomes after TBI. Specifically, the following 8 areas of outcomes will be examined: (1) treatment outcomes, (2) neuropsychological outcomes, (3) employment/productivity, (4) functional outcomes, (5) community integration, (6) marital status, (7) quality of life/life satisfaction, and (8) emotional/neurobehavioral outcomes. To conclude this review, suggestions for improvements in professional competency, research, systems of care, and training are proposed.