Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between the polymorphism in the promoter region of dopamine D4 receptor gene and chronic tic disorder.

OBJECTIVE To study a possible association between the three functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and chronic tic disorder. METHODS Genomic DNA was isolated from the venous blood leukocytes of 84 unrelated patients with chronic tic disorder (Study group) and 100 healthy unrelated individuals (Control group). Polymorphisms of DRD4, 1240L/S, 616C/G and 521C/T, were genotyped by the allele-specific primer (ASP) PCR. Genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies were analysed by SHEsis online. RESULTS There were significant differences in both allele and genotype frequencies (chi(2) = 8.419, P < 0.01; chi(2) = 7.860, P < 0.05 respectively) of DRD4-616C/G between the Study and the Control groups. Haplotypic frequencies of LCT (1240L/S, 616C/G, 521C/T) in the Study group were noticeably higher than in the Control group (chi(2) = 6.371, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between the DRD4-616C/G polymorphism and chronic tic disorder. The individuals with haplotype LCT (1240L/S, 616C/G, 521C/T) are susceptible to this disorder.
Altered Expression of Autonomic Neurotransmitter Receptors and Proliferative Responses in Lymphocytes from a Chronic Mild Stress Model of Depression: Effects of Fluoxetine

We studied beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor (MR) expression and proliferative response in lymphocytes from animals under chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression (CMS animals). Animals were subjected to CMS (periods of food or water deprivation, changes in lighting conditions, tilted cage, etc.) for 12 weeks. CMS lymphocytes showed an altered mitogen-induced proliferation. CMS-B and -T lymphocytes showed an increment on beta-adrenoceptor number and on intracellular responses to a beta-agonist. CMS-T cells showed higher MR expression and lower cGMP responses than normal lymphocytes. MR were not detectable in normal B cells while CMS-B cells showed both MR expression and cGMP response. Beta and muscarinic stimulation influenced lymphocyte proliferative responses, in accordance with cAMP and cGMP responses. After 12 weeks of the CMS procedure, animals were treated with fluoxetine while the CMS procedure continued. Fluoxetine treatment reverted the alterations induced by CMS. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the immune alterations found in depressive disorders and for the effect of fluoxetine treatment on immune response.
[Neuroradiologic manifestations of central nervous system tuberculosis in 122 adults].

PURPOSE Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis remains a public health problem, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study is to characterize neuroradiologic findings of various intracranial lesions. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data of 122 patients with CNS tuberculosis, without immunosuppression. CT scan was performed in all patients, whereas 17 patients had CT scan and MRI. RESULTS We included 74 women (61%) and 48 men (39%) with a mean age of 37 years (17 -88y). 18 patients (14,7%) had a history of tuberculosis. Tuberculous meningitis was the most frequent clinical presentation (119 cases). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in cerebrospinal fluid of 18 patients (15%). Several types of lesions were identified : hydrocephalus (35 cases), tuberculomas (29 cases), leptomeningitis (26 cases), infarction (15 cases), abcesses (2 cases). Hydrocephalus was associated to other lesions in 26 cases. Communication hydrocephalus was present in 28 cases. Multiple tuberculomas were seen in 23 cases (80%), with miliary aspects in some cases. In 3 cases, tuberculoma was present without meningitis. Patients with leptomeningitis showed thick meningeal contrast enhancement involving all basal cisterns. Infarction resulted from arterial englobement or embols, and involved the area of middle cerebral artery (12 cases). CONCLUSION Central nervous system tuberculosis has different appearences, mostly hydrocephalus and tuberculomas. MR with contrast is necessary for diagnosis and for follow-up during treatment.
Enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium in combination with full dose or reduced dose cyclosporine, basiliximab and corticosteroids in Australian de novo kidney transplant patients

Cyclosporine (CsA), dosed to achieve C2 targets, has been shown to provide safe and efficacious immunosuppression when used with a mycophenolate and steroids for de novo kidney transplant recipients. This study examined whether use of enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium (EC‐MPS) together with basiliximab and steroids would enable use of CsA dosed to reduced C2 targets in order to achieve improved graft function.
Activation of the Rap1 Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Gene,CalDAG-GEF I, in BXH-2 Murine Myeloid Leukemia*

Here we report the recurrent proviral activation of the Rap1-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factorCalDAG-GEF I (Kawasaki, H., Springett, G. M., Toki, S., Canales, J. J., Harlan, P., Blumenstiel, J. P., Chen, E. J., Bany, I. A., Mochizuki, N., Ashbacher, A., Matsuda, M., Housman, D. E., and Graybiel, A. M. (1998)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 95, 13278–13283; Correction (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 96, 318) gene in BXH-2 acute myeloid leukemia. We also show thatCalDAG-GEF I encodes two protein isoforms, a full-length isoform (CalDAG-GEF Ia) and a C-terminally truncated isoform (CalDAG-GEF Ib). Expression of the full-length CalDAG-GEF Ia isoform in Rat2 fibroblasts enhances growth in low serum, whereas expression in Swiss 3T3 cells causes morphological transformation and increased saturation density. In FDCP1 myeloid cells, CalDAG-GEF Ia expression increases growth and saturation density in the presence of the diacylglycerol analogs phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which activates CalDAG-GEF Ia exchange activity. Likewise, in 32Dcl3 myeloblast cells, CalDAG-GEF Ia expression increases cell adherence to fibronectin in response to PMA and calcium ionophore and allows higher saturation densities and prolonged growth on fibronectin-coated plates. These effects were correlated with increased Rap1, but not Ras, protein activation following PMA and calcium ionophore treatment. Our results suggest that Rap1-GTP delivers signals that favor progression through the cell cycle and morphological transformation. The identification ofCalDAG-GEF I as a proto-oncogene in BXH-2 acute myeloid leukemia is the first evidence implicating Rap1 signaling in myeloid leukemia.
Origin of Endothelium in Human Renal Allografts

Sex chromatin counts performed on the endothelial cells of 40 human kidneys transplanted to recipients of the opposite sex showed that the donor endothelium had persisted except in three poorly functioning and severely damaged grafts. In these a high proportion of the endothelial cells in peritubular capillaries and veins were derived from the host. Endothelial repopulation of organ allografts probably occurs only after severe tissue injury, and it cannot explain the phenomenon of graft adaptation. Repopulated endothelium may be derived from circulating cells.
A Comparison of Auditory Brain Stem Responses Elicited by Click and Chirp Stimuli in Adults With Normal Hearing and Sensory Hearing Loss

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the human auditory brain stem response (ABR) elicited by clicks and chirps with overall behavioral hearing thresholds in participants with normal hearing and with sensory hearing loss. The authors hypothesized that ABRs to chirps would be more robust and that thresholds would be more similar to overall behavioral hearing thresholds compared with ABRs to clicks. Design: Twenty-five adults with normal hearing and 25 adults with sensory hearing loss were recruited. Subjects were without middle ear or neurological pathologies at the time of testing. Subjects with sensory hearing loss were separated into mild to moderate hearing loss and mild to severe hearing loss groups. Behavioral hearing thresholds for pure tones were obtained at nine octave and interoctave frequencies ranging from 250 to 8000 Hz; an average of these nine frequencies was calculated for each participant. Evoked potential thresholds were measured by ABRs to click and chirp stimuli. Analyses included wave V absolute latencies and wave V peak-to-peak amplitudes. Thresholds for ABRs to clicks and chirps were compared with each other and with overall behavioral hearing thresholds. Results: ABR thresholds to chirp and click stimuli did not differ significantly for either the normal-hearing or the hearing loss groups. Wave V peak-to-peak amplitude was higher for chirps than clicks, particularly at lower intensities, for all groups. ABR thresholds to chirps were closer to overall behavioral thresholds than clicks in all groups. Moreover, ABR thresholds to chirps did not differ significantly from behavioral thresholds in the two hearing loss groups. Conclusions: ABRs obtained with chirp stimuli provide an efficient method for estimating hearing thresholds in individuals with normal hearing and sensory hearing loss where broadband signals are selected for testing. ABRs to chirps display higher peak-to-peak amplitudes than those obtained with clicks and may provide responses closer to behavioral thresholds. This information could result in improved accuracy in identifying hearing loss and estimating hearing sensitivity for broadband signals in infants, children, and difficult-to-test older populations.
Graves' Orbitopathy: Imperfect Treatments for a Rare Disease

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is the most frequent and invalidating extrathyroidal expression of Graves' disease. Its incidence and prevalence are, however, low. About three quarters of Graves' patients have no GO at diagnosis, and moderate-to-severe and severe forms represent no more that 5-6% of cases. Progression to severe forms occurs rarely, but it may be caused by risk factors, the most important being smoking and poor control of thyroid dysfunction. Lot of progress has been recently achieved in the understanding of GO pathogenesis, while the disease remains a therapeutic challenge and dilemma. Common treatments for moderate-to-severe and active forms of GO (glucocorticoids and orbital radiotherapy) frequently provide incomplete responses and may be followed by relapse or progression of GO. After the disease has been inactivated by medical treatment, many patients need rehabilitative surgery for residual manifestations (orbital decompression for exophthalmos, squint surgery for extraocular muscle dysfunction, eyelid surgery for eyelid malposition). Novel pharmacological treatments are on the horizon and might target pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease better than glucocorticoids. Clinical evidence concerning their efficacy and safety is presently lacking.
Adoptive immunotherapy shows encouraging benefit on non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) is a novel emerging target treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), its actual efficacy remains controversial. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of AIT for NSCLC. We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science for relevant parallel randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high-quality observation studies of AIT without any language restrictions. Two investigators reviewed all the texts and extracted information regarding overall survival rate (OS), progression-free survival rate (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) from eligible studies; sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were also conducted to reduce heterogeneity Of 319 suitable studies, 15 studies (13 RCTs and 2 observation studies) involving 1684 patients were finally included. Compared to the Control therapy (CT) group, the AIT group exhibited better 1-year OS (P = 0.001), 2-year OS (P < 0.001), 3-year OS (P < 0.001), 5-year OS (P = 0.032), 1-year PFS (P < 0.001), and 2-year PFS (P = 0.029). The difference in the ORR (P = 0.293) and DCR (P = 0.123) was not significant between the groups. The subgroup analysis showed that DC/CIK did more benefit to NSCLC patients than LAK and the cycles not associated with AIT efficacy. AIT can significantly improve the OS and PFS with acceptable toxicity for NSCLC. Nevertheless, further multicenter studies are needed to confirm our conclusion and determine which adoptive immunotherapy is associated with the greatest efficacy.
Structural Basis for Antigen Recognition by Transglutaminase 2-specific Autoantibodies in Celiac Disease

Background: Knowledge of how celiac disease autoantibodies recognize transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is limited. Results: The interaction between TG2 and a celiac disease epitope 1 anti-TG2 antibody was studied by small angle x-ray scattering and mutational analysis. Conclusion: TG2 residues Arg-116 and His-134 are part of epitope 1. Significance: The study gives insights into key aspects of celiac disease. Antibodies to the autoantigen transglutaminase 2 (TG2) are a hallmark of celiac disease. We have studied the interaction between TG2 and an anti-TG2 antibody (679-14-E06) derived from a single gut IgA plasma cell of a celiac disease patient. The antibody recognizes one of four identified epitopes targeted by antibodies of plasma cells of the disease lesion. The binding interface was identified by small angle x-ray scattering, ab initio and rigid body modeling using the known crystal structure of TG2 and the crystal structure of the antibody Fab fragment, which was solved at 2.4 Å resolution. The result was confirmed by testing binding of the antibody to TG2 mutants by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. TG2 residues Arg-116 and His-134 were identified to be critical for binding of 679-14-E06 as well as other epitope 1 antibodies. In contrast, antibodies directed toward the two other main epitopes (epitopes 2 and 3) were not affected by these mutations. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest interactions of 679-14-E06 with the N-terminal domain of TG2 via the CDR2 and CDR3 loops of the heavy chain and the CDR2 loop of the light chain. In addition there were contacts of the framework 3 region of the heavy chain with the catalytic domain of TG2. The results provide an explanation for the biased usage of certain heavy and light chain gene segments by epitope 1-specific antibodies in celiac disease.
Elucidating the Role of Transport Processes in Leaf Glucosinolate Distribution1[C][W][OPEN]

Within-leaf allocation of glucosinolates implicates an intracellular route from site of biosynthesis to peripheral leaf layers. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a strategy to defend its leaves against herbivores is to accumulate glucosinolates along the midrib and at the margin. Although it is generally assumed that glucosinolates are synthesized along the vasculature in an Arabidopsis leaf, thereby suggesting that the margin accumulation is established through transport, little is known about these transport processes. Here, we show through leaf apoplastic fluid analysis and glucosinolate feeding experiments that two glucosinolate transporters, GTR1 and GTR2, essential for long-distance transport of glucosinolates in Arabidopsis, also play key roles in glucosinolate allocation within a mature leaf by effectively importing apoplastically localized glucosinolates into appropriate cells. Detection of glucosinolates in root xylem sap unambiguously shows that this transport route is involved in root-to-shoot glucosinolate allocation. Detailed leaf dissections show that in the absence of GTR1 and GTR2 transport activity, glucosinolates accumulate predominantly in leaf margins and leaf tips. Furthermore, we show that glucosinolates accumulate in the leaf abaxial epidermis in a GTR-independent manner. Based on our results, we propose a model for how glucosinolates accumulate in the leaf margin and epidermis, which includes symplasmic movement through plasmodesmata, coupled with the activity of putative vacuolar glucosinolate importers in these peripheral cell layers.
The erosion of minimum wage policy in Australia and labour's shrinking share of total income

The long-run decline in labour's share of GDP in Australia over the last generation, and the consequent increase in personal income inequality, has coincided with a parallel erosion in the real economic 'bite' of Australia's minimum wage over the same period. This correlation is not surprising, since an active and ambitious minimum wage policy was one of the most important policy tools invoked to support real wage gains through the initial postwar decades. Minimum wages establish a floor for wage outcomes, and thus influence the distribution of economic output between labour and capital. So the weakening of minimum wage policy since the 1980s, evident not only in the statutory level of the minimum wage but also in the scope and strictness of its application, naturally helps explain at least part of the subsequent decline in relative labour incomes. Minimum wages have been relatively stagnant in real terms over this period, and have lagged well behind both overall average and median wages, and behind average labour productivity growth.
Routledge Handbook of Global Populism

The chapters in this volume show the diversity of populism globally, and how it challenges the theory and practice of democracy. In this concluding chapter we point to some areas for future research. We ﬁ rst explore whether it is desirable to agree on a minimal de ﬁ nition of populism. Then we look at the dynamics of populist di ﬀ usion and learning. The following section analyzes the advantages of looking at populism internationally and from the global south. The subsequent section asks questions for further research on gender and populism. Finally, we explore the relationships between populism, democratization, and authoritarianism.
Temperament as a moderator of the effects of parenting on children's behavior

Abstract This study examined the role of child temperament as moderator of the effect of parenting style on children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors. A series of structural equation models were fit to a representative sample of 2,631 Canadian children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. In addition to testing for the presence of Temperament × Parenting interactions, these models also examined the direct and indirect effects of a number of additional contextual factors such as neighborhood problems, neighborhood cohesion, social support, and maternal depression. The results indicate that exposure to more positive parenting reduces behavior problems in children with difficult/unadaptable temperaments. No moderating effects of temperament on hostile parenting were found. Such results serve to highlight the pivotal role of positive features of the rearing environment as catalysts for the successful adaptation of children with difficult/unadaptable temperaments. The results of this modeling work also serve to emphasize the importance of considering the ways in which more distal factors can affect children's behavioral adaptation by contributing to changes in proximal family processes.
School environment and performance of public primary school teachers in Uganda

This paper discusses how the school environment affects teachers’ performance in public primary schools in Bugisu sub region in Uganda. The paper is based on research that was conducted in 2015 involving teachers, head teachers, District Education Officers, District Inspectors of schools, and members of the school management committees. Of the 630 subjects who were sampled, 559 returned the survey instrument suggesting a response rate of 88.73%. The school environment was found to have a statistically significant effect (0.000 at p < .05 level) on teachers’ performance. We conclude that an improvement in the school environment leads to a significant increase in teachers’ performance and teachers in Bugisu sub region are at times victims of their work environment. The findings are compared with both local and international empirical studies to suggest policy and managerial recommendations.
Characteristics Are Covariances: A Unified Model of Risk and Return

We propose a new modeling approach for the cross section of returns. Our method, Instrumented Principal Components Analysis (IPCA), allows for latent factors and time-varying loadings by introducing observable characteristics that instrument for the unobservable dynamic loadings. If the characteristics/expected return relationship is driven by compensation for exposure to latent risk factors, IPCA will identify the corresponding latent factors. If no such factors exist, IPCA infers that the characteristic effect is compensation without risk and allocates it to an "anomaly" intercept. Studying returns and characteristics at the stock-level, we find that four IPCA factors explain the cross section of average returns significantly more accurately than existing factor models and produce characteristic-associated anomaly intercepts that are small and statistically insignificant. Furthermore, among a large collection of characteristics explored in the literature, only eight are statistically significant in the IPCA specification and are responsible for nearly 100% of the model's accuracy.
Minocycline and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: a pilot study

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating cerebrovascular disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Minocycline is a matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) inhibitor that may attenuate secondary mechanisms of injury in ICH. The feasibility and safety of minocycline in ICH patients were evaluated in a pilot, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial.
Bone marrow and blood involvement by non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: A study of clinicopathologic correlations and prognostic significance in relationship to the Working Formulation

In a series of 172 patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) classified according to the Working Formulation (WF) the overall incidence of bone marrow infiltration (BM +) at diagnosis was 39%: 59% for low‐grade (LGML), 30% for intermediate‐grade (IGML), and 25% for high‐grade malignant lymphomas (HGML). The features most significantly correlated with the presence of BM + were a low grade of histological malignancy, the degree of splenomegaly and high values of LDH, while those correlated with the extent of BM+ were a non‐focal pattern of BM disease, the presence of blood involvement at diagnosis, and the degree of BM fibrosis. Blood involvement was detected at diagnosis in 13% of patients, and a further 16% developed a leukemic phase during the course of the disease. Blood involvement correlated significantly with splenomegaly, bulky disease, advanced clinical stage, and extent of BM +. The presence of BM infiltration ‘per se’ at diagnosis did not significantly affect prognosis. However, the extent of BM disease was correlated with a poorer outcome in IGML and HGML patients. Regarding peripheral blood involvement, in LGML patients only late leukemic conversions were significantly associated with a worse prognosis. In patients with IGML and HGML, either initial or subsequent blood involvement was correlated with significantly poorer outcome.