Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myeloid cell‐mediated renal injury in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis depends upon spleen tyrosine kinase

Antibody‐dependent activation of myeloid cells within the glomerulus plays a central role in rapidly progressive forms of glomerulonephritis. The spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is expressed by all leukocytes, except mature T cells, and is required for signalling via the B‐cell receptor, Fc receptors, and some integrins. Syk has been proposed as a therapeutic target in glomerulonephritis. However, little is known of Syk activation in human kidney disease, while studies in experimental glomerulonephritis using non‐selective Syk inhibitors require validation via conditional gene deletion. The current study addressed both of these important points. Syk activation (Tyr525/526 phosphorylation) was examined in a cohort of 96 patients with different glomerulonephritides. Syk activation was evident in infiltrating leukocytes, mainly neutrophils and macrophages, in 36/40 cases of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. In contrast, non‐proliferative diseases showed little or no Syk activation. Glomerular and interstitial cells exhibiting Syk activation correlated with renal function and systemic inflammation. Next, we examined mice with conditional Syk gene deletion in myeloid cells (SykMy) versus Sykf/f littermate controls in nephrotoxic serum nephritis – a model of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Control Sykf/f mice featured a transient neutrophil influx at 3 h and severe disease on day 9 of nephrotoxic serum nephritis, with crescent formation, macrophage infiltration, inflammation, kidney fibrosis, and renal dysfunction. In contrast, SykMy mice had significantly reduced neutrophil and macrophage infiltration despite equivalent glomerular deposition of humoral reactants. SykMy mice exhibited reduced crescent formation, inflammation, and fibrosis, with improved renal function on day 9 of nephrotoxic serum nephritis. In conclusion, Syk activation is prominent in infiltrating myeloid cells in human rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and functional studies demonstrate that Syk deletion in myeloid cells is protective in mouse nephrotoxic serum nephritis. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of multidisciplinary integrated care on quality of care in residential care facilities for elderly people: a cluster randomized trial

Background: Sophisticated approaches are needed to improve the quality of care for elderly people living in residential care facilities. We determined the effects of multidisciplinary integrated care on the quality of care and quality of life for elderly people in residential care facilities. Methods: We performed a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 10 residential care facilities in the Netherlands that included 340 participating residents with physical or cognitive disabilities. Five of the facilities applied multidisciplinary integrated care, and five provided usual care. The intervention, inspired by the disease management model, consisted of a geriatric assessment of functional health every three months. The assessment included use of the Long-term Care Facility version of the Resident Assessment Instrument by trained nurse-assistants to guide the design of an individualized care plan; discussion of outcomes and care priorities with the family physician, the resident and his or her family; and monthly multidisciplinary meetings with the nurse-assistant, family physician, psychologist and geriatrician to discuss residents with complex needs. The primary outcome was the sum score of 32 risk-adjusted quality-of-care indicators. Results: Compared with the facilities that provided usual care, the intervention facilities had a significantly higher sum score of the 32 quality-of-care indicators (mean difference − 6.7, p = 0.009; a medium effect size of 0.72). They also had significantly higher scores for 11 of the 32 indicators of good care in the areas of communication, delirium, behaviour, continence, pain and use of antipsychotic agents. Interpretation: Multidisciplinary integrated care resulted in improved quality of care for elderly people in residential care facilities compared with usual care. Trial registration: www.controlled-trials.com trial register no. ISRCTN11076857.
Assessment of Bioautography and Spot Screening of TLC of Green Tea (Camellia) Plant Extracts as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents

This study was carried out as a prerequisite to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Camellia varieties. The crude extracts of six different plants of green tea Camellia assamica and Camellia sinensis were tested against three Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria using agar disk diffusion method at 50 mg/ml concentration. 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and diphenyl-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium free radical scavenging methods were performed to evaluate the antioxidant potential. Phytochemical constituents and trace metals were detected through thin layer chromatography and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer, respectively. The maximum inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus was recorded by dimethyl sulphoxide extracts of green tea varieties. The measured zone of inhibition of dimethyl sulphoxide extracts by Qimen was (10.00±0.0 mm), Japanese (10.00±0.0 mm), Turkish (10.00±0.0 mm), Indonesian (8.33±1.0 mm), P3 clone (10.00±0.0 mm) and Sri Lankan (10.00±0.0 mm). Maximum scavenging potential activity was found with ethanol, methanol and dimethyl sulphoxide extracts. Spot screening of TLC-developed plates indicated that the presence of active biological compounds such as flavonoids, proteins, phenols, alkaloids and glycosides also exhibited strong activity against tested bacterial strains. This study reveals the potential biological activities of Camellia assamica and Camellia sinensis having massive phytochemical constituents and trace elements.
Board Members With Style: The Effect of Audit Committee Members and Their Personal Styles on Financial Reporting Choices

This article studies whether audit committee members and chairpersons exhibit individual-specific “styles” that affect corporate financial reporting practices. I track 2,941 audit committee members and 683 chairpersons across firms over time, and test whether member (chair)-specific factors explain firms’ accounting choices. I find that member and chairperson “style” (captured by fixed effects) is significant in explaining a firm’s probability of accounting misstatements and earnings management, and the effects are not explained away by observable member (chairperson) characteristics found by prior literature, or by the effects of CEOs or CFOs.
Two‐dimensional gel protein database of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

With the systematic sequencing of the yeast genome, yeast biology has entered a new era where novel challenges have to be faced. One challenge is the identification of the function of the several hundred novel genes discovered by genome sequencing. Another is to understand how all yeast genes act in concert to ensure and maintain cell organization. Two‐dimensional (2‐D) gel electrophoresis is the technique of choice to take up these challenges because it provides the opportunity of obtaining an overall view of genome expression. In prospect of these studies we have undertaken the construction of a yeast 2‐D gel protein database that contains information on polypeptides of the yeast protein map. In this paper we report the information presently contained in this database. The reported information includes the identification of 250 protein spots and the characterization of polypeptides corresponding to N‐terminal acetylated proteins, mitochondrial proteins, glucose‐repressed proteins, heat shock induced proteins and proteins encoded by intron‐containing genes. In all, 600 spots are annotated. These data can be accessed on the Yeast Protein Map server through the World Wide Web network.
A novel iterative-learner simulation model: fellows as teachers.

BACKGROUND Simulation is an effective method for teaching clinical skills but has not been widely adopted to educate trainees about how to teach. OBJECTIVE We evaluated a curriculum for pediatrics fellows by using high-fidelity simulation (mannequin with vital signs) to improve pedagogical skills. INTERVENTION The intervention included a lecture on adult learning and active-learning techniques, development of a case from the fellows' subspecialties, and teaching the case to residents and medical students. Teaching was observed by an educator using a standardized checklist. Learners evaluated fellows' teaching by using a structured evaluation tool; learner evaluations and the observer checklist formed the basis for written feedback. Changes in fellows' pedagogic knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported skills were analyzed by using Friedman and Wilcoxon rank-sum test at baseline, immediate postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Forty fellows participated. Fellows' self-ratings significantly improved from baseline to 6-month follow-up for development of learning objectives, effectively reinforcing performance, using teaching techniques to promote critical thinking, providing constructive feedback, and using case studies to teach general rules. Fellows significantly increased agreement with the statement "providing background and context is important" (4.12 to 4.44, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Simulation was an effective means of educating fellows about teaching, with fellows' attitudes and self-rated confidence improving after participation but returning to baseline at the 6-month assessment. The simulation identified common weaknesses of fellows as teachers, including failure to provide objectives to learners, failure to provide a summary of key learning points, and lack of inclusion of all learners.
Comparison of Propofol with Methohexital for Outpatient Anesthesia

Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic currently available for clinical investigative use. The intraoperative and postoperative effects of propofol were compared to methohexital when used as an adjuvant to nitrous oxide for outpatient anesthesia. Sixty healthy young women were randomly assigned to receive either methohexital, 1.5 mg/kg intravenously (IV), or propofol, 2.5 mg/kg IV, for induction of anesthesia. Both drugs produced transient cardiovascular and respiratory depression after induction. Maintenance of anesthesia consisted of either methohexital, 6 ± 2 mg/min, or propofol, 7 ± 2 mg/min (mean ± SD) by continuous infusion in combination with nitrous oxide, 70% in oxygen. Use of a propofol infusion was associated with lower blood pressures and heart rates during maintenance. Propofol was associated with fewer side effects (e.g., hiccoughing, nausea, and vomiting) intra- and postoperatively. Recovery times for awakening, orientation, and ambulation were consistently shorter with propofol. We conclude that propofol is a useful alternative to methohexital for induction and maintenance of outpatient anesthesia.
Cigarette smoking, carrier state of A or G allele of 46A>G and 79C>G polymorphisms of beta2-adrenergic receptor gene, and the risk of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disorder which results from the interactions between a number of genetic and non-genetic factors. Beta-adrenergic receptors are cell-surface receptors which activate adenylyl cyclase by coupling to G proteins. The 46A>G and 79C>G polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) have been associated with altered response to sympathetic stimulation. AIM To assess the relationship between 46A>G and 79C>G polymorphisms of the ADRB2 gene and CAD as well as the associations between these polymorphic variants and traditional risk factors, e.g. cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and overweight or obesity, in determining the risk of CAD. METHODS The study population consisted of 207 individuals (white Polish Caucasians aged 20-55 years): 98 patients with angiographically documented CAD (with more than 50% diameter stenosis of at least one of the major coronary vessels) and 109 blood donors with no signs of CAD. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms was performed by means of PCR-RFLP. RESULTS The genotype frequencies of both analysed genes in the studied groups were compatible with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We observed higher frequency of the 46A allele in CAD patients than in controls. We also found a tendency to higher prevalence of 46A allele carriers (subjects with genotypes AA+AG) in the CAD group compared to the control group. We did not find any differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of 79C>G polymorphism between patients and controls. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking and overweight were independent risk factors of CAD in patients. We found a synergistic effect between carrier state of the 46A allele or 79G allele and smoking, which influences the CAD risk. The 46A allele carriers who smoke as well as carriers of the 79G allele who smoke were much more frequent in the CAD group than in controls. The incidence of 46A allele carriers with hypercholesterolaemia is also higher in patients than in the blood donor group. CONCLUSION Obtained results indicate a synergistic effect between cigarette smoking and carrier state of 46A allele or 79G allele of ADRB2 in determining the risk of CAD.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with HIV type-1 receiving a lopinavir/ritonavir-containing regimen

Background The pregnancy-related adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have yielded discordant results, which could be explained in part by the heterogeneity of ART protocols. The objective of our study was to explore whether lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) exposure during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes. Methods Data on 100 consecutive HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected women receiving LPV/r during pregnancy and who delivered after 15 weeks gestational age (GA) between January 2003 and June 2007 in a single centre were analysed. For each HIV-1-infected woman, two uninfected women matched by age, parity and geographical origin were selected among patients delivering during the same period. Preterm delivery (PTD), vasculoplacental complications, gestational glucose intolerance and post-partum complication rates were compared between cases and controls. Factors associated with PTD and post-partum complications were assessed in HIV-1-infected women by a logistic regression model. Results Rates of vasculoplacental complication and gestational glucose intolerance were not higher among HIV-1-infected women than in controls. PTD was higher in HIV-1-infected women (21%) than in controls (10%; P<0.01). In HIV-1-infected women, PTD was associated with HIV-1 RNA level ≥50 copies/ml at delivery (adjusted odds ratio 6.15, 95% confidence interval 1.83–20.63; P=0.003). No association was found between occurrence of PTD and LPV/r exposure before 14 weeks GA. Conclusions In this population of HIV-1-infected pregnant women receiving LPV/r, the risk of PTD was higher than in HIV-1-uninfected controls. As PTD risk was not associated with early exposure to LPV/r, these data support current guidelines to initiate ART earlier in pregnancy.
Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with multicentric lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, whether CRP concentration changes in response to chemotherapy, and whether CRP concentration can be used as a marker for relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. DESIGN Cohort study. ANIMALS 20 dogs with multicentric lymphoma and 8 healthy control dogs undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) or with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and L-asparaginase (VCMA) and 20 other healthy dogs. PROCEDURES Serum CRP concentration was measured weekly during the first month of chemotherapy and then at 3-week intervals until relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, weekly for 16 weeks in healthy dogs undergoing chemotherapy, and once in the healthy dogs not undergoing chemotherapy. RESULTS For both groups of dogs with lymphoma, mean serum CRP concentration during week 1 (prior to treatment) was significantly higher than mean concentrations following induction of chemotherapy and at the time of relapse. Mean serum CRP concentration in the healthy dogs undergoing chemotherapy was not significantly different at any time from mean concentration for the healthy dogs not undergoing chemotherapy. No significant differences were observed between dogs treated with CVP and dogs treated with VCMA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that serum CRP concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma but that serum CRP concentration is not a useful marker for relapse and that chemotherapy itself does not affect serum CRP concentration.
Impact of Clinical Symptoms and Referral Volume on Endoscopy for Detecting Peptic Ulcer and Gastric Neoplasms

Background: We investigated the volume of dyspeptic patients referred by general practitioners (GPs) to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the impact on endoscopic finding. We also examined the correlation between clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings . Methods: We collected data on patients sent for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy by GPs of 30 healthcare centres in 1996 in our hospital referral area of 260,000 inhabitants. In addition, national and local cancer registries were used to enumerate the gastric cancer cases detected in 1996. Results: The study population consisted of 3378 patients, mean age 58 years (interquartile range 25 years, male:female 1:1.3). Among the 30 healthcare centres, referral volumes for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy varied from 0.6 to 9.2 per 1000 inhabitants per year (median 3.3/1000/year). In healthcare units with 'high' (≥3.3/1000/year, 15 healthcare units, 1297 patients) and 'low' (<3.3/1000/year, 15 healthcare units, 2065 patients) referral volumes, the detection rates were as follows: duodenal ulcer (DU) 3.5% (n = 46) versus 4.0% (n = 83, P = 0.5), gastric ulcer (GU) 4.9%(n = 64) versus 5.3% (n = 110, P = 0.6), gastopathy 43.8% (n = 568) versus 35.6% (n = 736, P < 0.001), gastric cancer 0.5% (n = 6) versus 0.5% (n = 11, P = 0.8), gastric polyps 2.4% (n = 31) versus 1.5% (n = 30, P = 0.05). Independent risk factors for gastric cancer were age (OR 6.5 per decade, 95% CI 2.4-17.9), male sex (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.8-17.1) and alarming symptoms and/or signs (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-10.7); for GU, Helicobacter pylori (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9-3.5) and alarming symptoms (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.7); for DU, male sex (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2) and H. pylori (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.7-5.5); and for gastric polyp(s), age (OR 2.0 per decade, 95% CI 1.1-3.5) and high referral volume (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.0). A high referral volume did not associate positively either with the number of peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. Conclusions: Alarm symptoms associate strongly with significant gastric lesions such as GU and cancer. Increased referral volume results in an increased number of gastropathy and gastric polyp(s), but not of peptic ulcer or cancer.
Paths to Convergence: Stock Price Behavior after Donald Trump's Election

How do market prices adjust towards their equilibrium values? Donald Trump's election, an aggregate surprise that shook up the prices of all stocks, provides an ideal setting to investigate this question. Indeed, the ratio of price spreads among stock returns relative to aggregate market volatility on the first post-election day was one of the greatest seen in this century. Markets assessed the correct direction of relative price moves by individual stocks impressively quickly. The vast majority of stocks moved in the appropriate direction on the first day. However, given the extreme shock, iterations were required to get relative prices to converge to the right levels. To illustrate, return continuation from day 1 to day 2 was extreme by historical standards. Momentum persisted for three days and was followed by a brief reversal before prices settled. Since little new information was released after the election -- a fact that we confirm by analyzing both transition team announcements and news flows -- these return patterns represented movement toward a new equilibrium, and not a moving equilibrium. Stock return predictability was primarily driven by the part of first-day returns explained by firm characteristics, such as corporate taxes and foreign revenues, not by residual returns. The returns associated with a range of firm characteristics persisted for several days. Our results support prominent theories of slow but predictable diffusion of information into stock prices.
Induction of interleukin-10 by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and its gp120 protein in human monocytes/macrophages

In this study, we evaluated the effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and its gp120 protein on interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression in cultured human monocytes/macrophages. Infection of either 1-day monocytes or 7-day monocyte-derived macrophages with HIV-1 strain Ba-L resulted in clear-cut accumulation of IL-10 mRNA at 4 and 24 h. Likewise, treatment of these cells with recombinant gp120 induced IL-10 mRNA expression and caused a marked increase in IL-10 secretion. Monoclonal antibodies to gp120 strongly inhibited recombinant gp120-induced IL-10 secretion by monocytes/macrophages. Moreover, the addition of IL-10 to monocytes/macrophages resulted in a significant inhibition of HIV-1 replication 7 and 14 days after infection. On the whole, these results indicate that HIV-1 (possibly through its gp120 protein) up-regulates IL-10 expression in monocytes/macrophages. We suggest that in vivo production of IL-10 by HIV-primed monocytes/macrophages can play an important role in the early response to HIV-1 infection.
Risky decision-making in older adults without cognitive deficits: An fMRI study of VMPFC using the Iowa Gambling Task

Some older adults without neurological disease exhibit impaired decision-making in risky, nontransparent situations, like the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The prefrontal cortices are particularly vulnerable to age-related decline, and numerous studies implicate the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) in successful IGT performance. However, the relationship between IGT performance and VMPFC function in older adults has not yet been tested by fMRI. In the present study, older adults with seemingly no cognitive impairments performed the IGT and a non-gambling control task during fMRI. Group analyses indicate that in these older adults, regardless of IGT performance level, a right VMPFC subregion is activated during the IGT, while successful IGT performance is correlated with left VMPFC activation, suggesting that bilateral VMPFC during risky, nontransparent situations may contribute to successful decision-making in older adults. Individual subject analyses reveal substantial variation regarding the extent and location of VMPFC activation during the IGT, a finding not captured in the group analysis: There is no correlation between IGT performance and extent of activation in the right VMPFC, although there is such a correlation between left VMPFC activation and IGT performance.