Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli response to hydrogen peroxide: a role for DNA supercoiling, Topoisomerase I and Fis

Bacterial cells respond to the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species by inducing the expression of antioxidant defence genes. Here we show that treatment with hydrogen peroxide leads to a transient decrease in DNA negative supercoiling. We also report that hydrogen peroxide activates topA P1 promoter expression. The peroxide‐dependent topA P1 activation is independent of oxyR, but is mediated by Fis. This nucleoid‐associated protein binds to the promoter region of topA. We also show that a fis deficient mutant strain is extremely sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Our results suggest that topA activation by Fis is an important component of the Escherichia coli response to oxidative stress.
Relation between income, air pollution and mortality: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND Community levels of air pollution have been associated with variability in mortality rates, but previous studies have inferred exposure to pollutants on a citywide basis. We investigated mortality in relation to neighbourhood levels of income and air pollution in an urban area. METHODS We identified 5228 people in the Hamilton-Burlington area of southern Ontario who had been referred for pulmonary function testing between 1985 and 1999. Nonaccidental deaths that occurred in this group between 1992 and 1999 were ascertained from the Ontario Mortality Registry. Mean household income was estimated by linking the subjects' postal codes with the 1996 census. Mean neighbourhood levels of total suspended particulates and sulfur dioxide were estimated by interpolation from data from a network of sampling stations. We used proportional hazards regression models to compute mortality risk in relation to income and pollutant levels, while adjusting for pulmonary function, body mass index and diagnoses of chronic disease. Household incomes and pollutant levels were each divided into 2 risk categories (low and high) at the median. RESULTS Mean pollutant levels tended to be higher in lower-income neighbourhoods. Both income and pollutant levels were associated with mortality differences. Compared with people in the most favourable category (higher incomes and lower particulate levels), those with all other income-particulate combinations had a higher risk of death from nonaccidental causes (lower incomes and higher particulate levels: relative risk [RR] 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-4.13; lower incomes and lower particulate levels: RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.30-2.55; higher incomes and higher particulate levels: RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.12-1.57). Similar results were observed for sulfur dioxide. The relative risk was lower at older ages. INTERPRETATION Mortality rates varied by neighbourhood of residence in this cohort of people whose lung function was tested. Two of the broader determinants of health--income and air pollution levels--were important correlates of mortality in this population.
Ultrastructural Characteristics of Estrogen Receptor‐Containing Neurons of the Ventrolateral Nucleus of the Guinea‐Pig Hypothalamus

The ventrolateral nucleus of the hypothalamus (VL) of the guinea‐pig is a key cell group in the neural circuitry underlying the estrogen‐dependent lordosis reflex. The extent to which neurons in the VL are responsive to estrogen or to synaptic inputs depends in part on the presence of specific estrogen and neurotransmitter receptors within the target cells. It also depends on the number, type and location of synaptic inputs. In addition, both sensitivity to circulating hormones and transmitter responsiveness show estrogen‐inducible alterations in the VL. To understand more about the cell types that are directly modulated by estrogens via the nuclear steroid binding protein and the synaptic connectivity of these neurons, we have carried out an ultrastructural study of estrogen receptor‐containing cells in the VL of the female guinea‐pig.
The Bacillus subtilis DinR Binding Site: Redefinition of the Consensus Sequence

ABSTRACT Recently, the DinR protein was established as the cellular repressor of the SOS response in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. It is believed that DinR functions as the repressor by binding to a consensus sequence located in the promoter region of each SOS gene. The binding site for DinR is believed to be synonymous with the formerly identified Cheo box, a region of 12 bp displaying dyad symmetry (GAAC-N4-GTTC). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that highly purified DinR does bind to such sites located upstream of the dinA, dinB,dinC, and dinR genes. Furthermore, detailed mutational analysis of the B. subtilis recA operator indicates that some nucleotides are more important than others for maintaining efficient DinR binding. For example, nucleotide substitutions immediately 5′ and 3′ of the Cheo box as well as those in the N4 region appear to affect DinR binding. This data, combined with computational analyses of potential binding sites in other gram-positive organisms, yields a new consensus (DinR box) of 5′-CGAACRNRYGTTYC-3′. DNA footprint analysis of the B. subtilis dinR and recA DinR boxes revealed that the DinR box is centrally located within a DNA region of 31 bp that is protected from hydroxyl radical cleavage in the presence of DinR. Furthermore, while DinR is predominantly monomeric in solution, it apparently binds to the DinR box in a dimeric state.
Security Events and Vulnerability Data for Cybersecurity Risk Estimation

Current industry standards for estimating cybersecurity risk are based on qualitative risk matrices as opposed to quantitative risk estimates. In contrast, risk assessment in most other industry sectors aims at deriving quantitative risk estimations (e.g., Basel II in Finance). This article presents a model and methodology to leverage on the large amount of data available from the IT infrastructure of an organization's security operation center to quantitatively estimate the probability of attack. Our methodology specifically addresses untargeted attacks delivered by automatic tools that make up the vast majority of attacks in the wild against users and organizations. We consider two‐stage attacks whereby the attacker first breaches an Internet‐facing system, and then escalates the attack to internal systems by exploiting local vulnerabilities in the target. Our methodology factors in the power of the attacker as the number of “weaponized” vulnerabilities he/she can exploit, and can be adjusted to match the risk appetite of the organization. We illustrate our methodology by using data from a large financial institution, and discuss the significant mismatch between traditional qualitative risk assessments and our quantitative approach.
Self-esteem and social adjustment in young women with Turner syndrome--influence of pubertal management and sexuality: population-based cohort study.

CONTEXT Pediatric management of patients with Turner syndrome focuses on height, frequently resulting in a delay of pubertal induction. The influence of pubertal management on psychosocial adjustment and sex life has not been evaluated in Turner syndrome patients. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of self-esteem, social adjustment, and initiation of sex life in patients with Turner syndrome, particularly those related to pubertal management. DESIGN This was a prospective evaluation, the StaTur study. SETTING The study was conducted with a population-based registry of GH-treated patients. PARTICIPANTS Participants included 566 young adult women with Turner syndrome, aged 22.6 +/- 2.6 yr (range, 18.3-31.2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Measures used in the study were Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory, Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report, questions on sexual experience, and extensive data on pediatric management. RESULTS Low self-esteem was associated with otological involvement and limited sexual experience. Low social adjustment was associated with lower paternal socioeconomic class and an absence of sexual experience. Late age at first kiss or date was associated with cardiac involvement and a lack of spontaneous pubertal development. Age at first sexual intercourse was related to age at puberty and paternal socioeconomic class. Delayed induction of puberty had a long-lasting effect on sex life. Height and height gain due to GH treatment had no effect on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Puberty should be induced at a physiologically appropriate age in patients with Turner syndrome to optimize self-esteem, social adjustment, and initiation of the patient's sex life. Therapeutic interventions altering normal pubertal development in other groups of patients should be reconsidered in light of these findings.
Prevalence of virulence genes in Escherichia coli strains isolated from Romanian adult urinary tract infection cases

A total of 78 E. coli strains isolated from adults with different types of urinary tract infections were screened by polymerase chain reaction for prevalence of genetic regions coding for virulence factors. The targeted genetic determinants were those coding for type 1 fimbriae (fimH), pili associated with pyelonephritis (pap), S and F1C fimbriae (sfa and foc), afimbrial adhesins (afa), hemolysin (hly), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf), aerobactin (aer). Among the studied strains, the prevalence of genes coding for fimbrial adhesive systems was 86 %, 36%, and 23% for fimH, pap, and sfa/foc, respectively. The operons coding for Afa afimbrial adhesins were identified in 14% of strains. The hly and cnf genes coding for toxins were amplified in 23% and 13% of strains, respectively. A prevalence of 54% was found for the aer gene. The various combinations of detected genes were designated as virulence patterns. The strains isolated from the hospitalized patients displayed a greater number of virulence genes and a diversity of gene associations compared to the strains isolated from the ambulatory subjects. A rapid assessment of the bacterial pathogenicity characteristics may contribute to a better medical approach of the patients with urinary tract infections.
Fecal elastase 1 and vitamin D3 in patients with osteoporotic bone fractures.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The aim of the present study was to clarify if patients with osteoporotic bone fractures have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, especially reduced fecal elastase 1, connected with lowered serum levels of vitamin D3 that could be relevant for predominant osteoporosis. METHODS Between October 1999 and September 2001, we investigated on 167 patients with an average age of approx. 69 years suffering from typical osteoporotic bone fractures, as well as 20 healthy controls with an average age of 53 years. A standardized osteodensitometry via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed in all participants. Levels of PTH, 1,25(OH)(2) Vitamin D(3), 25(OH) Vitamin D(3), calcium and phosphate in serum, elastase 1 in feces as well as the body mass index were determined in all patients and controls. RESULTS In patients 25(OH)D3 was more than 60% and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was more than 53% decreased compared to controls. Fecal elastase 1 was lower than the lowest reference of 200 microg/g feces in more than 34% of the patients and it was more than 65% reduced in comparison to healthy controls (fecal elastase 1 patients: 240.7 +/- 96.3 microg/g; controls 694.9 +/- 138.6 microg/g). Separation of the patients in accordance with the elastase 1 contend in feces into four groups (below 100 microg/g, between 100 and 200 microg/g, between 201 and 300 microg/g and above 300 microg/g) resulted in significant variations for 25(OH)D(3), 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), calcium and PTH between these groups (p < 0.01). Furthermore 25(OH)D(3), 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), calcium and PTH correlated significantly with elastase 1 in feces (p < 0.01) the way, that lower fecal elastase 1 was connected with lower levels of the other parameters. BMI shows no relevant differences within the patients or between patients and controls. CONCLUSION Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, especially lowered fecal elastase 1, may be much more frequent in patients with osteoporotic bone fractures than suggested so far. Lowered exocrine pancreatic function with lowered fecal elastase 1 seems to be relevant as a reason for reduced levels of circulating vitamin D3 metabolites being an appropriate additional cause for predominant osteoporosis.
Predicting the long-term risk of tardive dyskinesia in outpatients maintained on neuroleptic medications.

BACKGROUND Tardive dyskinesia (TD) has been a source of great concern to the psychiatric community because of the iatrogenic nature of the illness. Little is known about the risk of developing TD if neuroleptic medications are continued. METHOD This paper presents long-term risk estimates for TD in a prospective cohort study of 362 chronic psychiatric outpatients who were free of TD at baseline and who were maintained on neuroleptic medications. RESULTS On the basis of 5 years of follow-up, we estimate the risk of persistent TD to be 32% after 5 years of neuroleptic exposure (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23%-43%), 57% after 15 years of exposure (95% CI = 47%-66%), and 68% after 25 years of exposure (95% CI = 58%-77%). For patients with 10 years of previous neuroleptic exposure, the risk is 15% after 5 more years of exposure (95% CI = 7.2%-27%) and 38% after 15 more years of exposure (95% CI = 24%-53%). Our results fall within the wide range of results found in other studies of TD incidence. Differences in incidence across studies may be explained in terms of patient characteristics and other methodological factors. CONCLUSION One implication of this finding is that patients in the first 5 years of exposure could be targeted for prevention programs if resources are limited. A potential methodological problem encountered when studying chronically exposed patients is that they may have acquired TD (persistent) prior to the study and remitted before entry.
YOUTH SEXUALITY IN CROATIA: SYMBOLIC AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES, 1972— 2005

Adolescent sexuality is often an object of moral scrutiny, even panic. The reasons for such a state of affairs are mostly to be found in the cultural history of sex in the West and the complex ambiguity regarding human sexuality and its content. In this paper, the authors analyze changes in the sexuality of youth in Croatia during the past three decades. Our goal is to provide some empirical insight into the process of social construction and organization of youth sexuality. The analyses are based on data collected in two national surveys on sexual behavior and attitudes of young people (Attitudes and Activities in Sexual Lives of HighSchool Youth in Croatia, 1972, and AIDS and Youth 2005). Comparisons include a number of behavioral dimensions (sexual initiation, reasons for first sex, number of sexual partners, use of contraceptives, and orgasmic competency), sources of information about human sexuality, and attitudes regarding abortion and premarital sex. The findings clearly point to a major change in the observed period. The differences found, both behavioral and attitudinal, could be described as a rise of double permissiveness, representing the breakdown of earlier moral norms and sexual constraints combined with an increase in gender equality regarding sexual rights. Although our analyses suffer from a number of methodological restrictions, and should therefore be considered illustrative rather than confirmatory, the consistency and magnitude of the 1972-2005 differences support the validity of our interpretation.
Prostate cancer multidisciplinary clinic and decisional regret: Looking for a longer follow‐up

tuzumab ozogamicin, an anti-CD33 antibody-drug conjugate, especially in patients with AML with a favorable or intermediate cytogenetic risk. The use of combination regimens with novel agents such as venetoclax or checkpoint inhibitors will also likely play a vital role in the future of AML therapy, especially for patients without targetable molecular aberrations. Because of the marginal improvements in AML outcomes that have been made with modifications of cytotoxic chemotherapy, it is likely that these novel agents and strategies offer the best path forward for most of our patients.
First I am my tribe: An investigation of ethnic identity in a national sample of Afghans

Identity centrality is important to the study of intergroup conflict because it defines identity priorities for ingroup/outgroup affiliation. A key question in understanding identity centrality, particularly for ethnic conflict, is whether resource needs such as competition for limited resources are the primary drivers of identity centrality, or if other considerations such as identity needs and degree of ethnic diversity also play a role. To investigate, three studies were conducted in Afghanistan between 2013-2015, a region of ongoing ethnic conflict, including 28,111 nationwide survey interviews and 125 in-depth interviews. Study 1 reveals a robust association between ethnic identity centrality and increased support for violent insurgent groups, and resource inequalities are significantly associated with both. In study 2, conditions of ethnic diversity are found to decrease ethnic identity centrality; as provinces grow more diverse, Afghans appear to emphasize sectarian identities less, and superordinate identities more. Finally, using in-depth interviews, study 3 finds that social identity needs as well as ideology are cited as justifications for identity centrality generally, and distinctness for ethnic identity centrality in particular. Three implications for policymakers are described in detail.
Asymmetric information in loan contracts: A game-theoretic and statistical approach

In this work, we apply game-theoretic and statistical models to an open problem regarding asymmetric information in loan contracts. Under these asymmetries, the effect of higher collateral requirements on the interest rates applied by banks to borrowers is not clear. The literature has argued both for positive and a negative links, based on different hypotheses and econometric analyses. We discuss how this effect cannot be decided a-priori. In the first part we construct three game-theoretic models under different hypotheses, proving the impossibility of an univocal effect. Then, to assess what is the prevailing effect in the reality, we analyze for the first time loan big-data for millions of borrowers among various European countries, as collected by the European DataWarehouse. We examine some mathematical and practical aspects of: the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the Principal Component Regression (PCR), the regularization theory, the LASSO and RIDGE regressions, applying them to our datasets. Finally, we combine a regression model with the Probabilistic PCA, discussing the EM algorithm in presence of sparse datasets. These datasets are characteristic of our database and others, and defining the Probabilistic PCR we propose a new technique which may show itself useful if the availability of loan data will increase over time conserving some data sparsity.
THE IMPACT OF COMPLICATED GRIEF ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AT VARIOUS POINTS IN THE BEREAVEMENT PROCESS

The purpose of this cohort sequential study was to determine whether the presence of complicated grief (CG) measured at various points in the spousal bereavement process is associated with an increase in mental and physical health problems 18 months later. One hundred twelve participants provided data at four points in time. CG was measured with the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), and mental health was measured with the Integra Outpatient Tracking Assessment, Mental Health Index (MHI), and illnesses by self-report. Twenty-nine participants were identified as experiencing CG. Beginning at 6months after the death, MHI scores were significantly lower for the CG group and those results were persistent. The CG group experienced more additional life stressors, perceived less social support, and achieved less clinically significant change in MHI than the NCG group. Identification of CG at any point at 6 months or later in bereavement indicates a need for professional intervention. Implications for establishing CG as a DSM diagnosis are discussed.
Intelligence and Family Marital Structure: The Case of Adolescents From Monogamous and Polygamous Families Among Bedouin Arabs in Israel

Abstract The levels of intelligence among Bedouin Arab adolescents from monogamous and polygamous families living in the Negev region of Israel were examined. A shortened version of the Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) test (S. Elbedour, T. J. Bouchard, & Y. Hur, 1997; J. Raven, J. C. Raven, & J. H. Court, 1998) was used to assess intelligence. There were no significant test score differences between adolescents from monogamous families and adolescents from polygamous families. In addition, participants with 2 mothers tended to have lower RPM scores than those with 3 or 4 mothers, and participants with related parents tended to have lower RPM scores than participants with unrelated parents. One major finding of this study is that polygamous family marital structures tended not to have deleterious effects on the Bedouin Arab adolescents' RPM test scores.
Ethanol Lock Therapy as additional treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections in pediatric patients receiving home parenteral nutrition

Background: Catheter related bloodstream infections (CRIs) are a major cause of morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospitalization in pediatric patients with home parenteral nutrition (HPN). In recent years, new prophylactic and treatment options have been evaluated to reduce the incidence of CRIs and infection related catheter removals. In children, two retrospective studies have shown the efficacy of ethanol lock treatment (ELT) in reducing the incidence of CRIs in pediatric oncology patients. However, prospective data are missing. Our aim of the present study was to evaluate prospectively the effect of ELT on the cure and recurrence rate of CRIs, duration of hospitalization and antibiotic use in HPN pediatric patients. Methods: HPN children older than three months with a clinical suspicion of a CRI were included and randomised to ELT or standard flushing treatment (heparin or taurolidine). The primary outcomes were persistence and recurrence of the bacteraemia and Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) removal. Secondary outcomes included duration of antibiotic use, duration of hospitalization and side effects. Results: Data from eight HPN children experiencing 14 suspected CRI were analysed. Seven patients had proven CRIs by positive blood cultures. Four were treated with ELT and three with their standard flushing treatment. One CRI persisted in the control group. In one single patient, bacteraemia recurred three times within 24 weeks. This patient had been enrolled in both study arms. A CVAD removal was needed in one patient because of occlusion. Conclusions: This small study showed no additional efficacy of the use of ELT on cure rate or recurrences of CRIs compared to standard therapy in HPN treated children. There were also no differences in duration of hospitalization, the use of antibiotics or CVAD removal between both groups.