Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the Structural Transformation of Commodity Markets: Financialization Revisited

The first decade of the 21st century saw wide fluctuations in commodity prices and a massively increased participation of financial investors in the commodity derivatives markets. The investigation of whether the presence of financial investors was responsible for these fluctuations - and, more in general, whether large trades affected futures and spot prices - has yielded mixed results in the literature. We take up this question by linking financialization to the ongoing structural transformation of the commodity markets. First, we discuss issues related to the identification of the price effects of financialization; then, we present models of commodity markets with heterogeneous agents and informational frictions and discuss the role of financial investors as the counterparts of commercial hedgers. Lastly, we suggest some avenues for future research, including the possible implications of the shale revolution and of commodity trading in the financialization process.
Sevoflurane anaesthesia in children after induction of anaesthesia with midazolam and thiopental does not cause epileptiform EEG.

BACKGROUND Sevoflurane is a methyl ether anaesthetic commonly used for induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia in children. Sevoflurane is a non-irritant and acts quickly so induction is usually calm. However, inhalation induction with high concentrations of sevoflurane can cause convulsion-like movements and seizure-like changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Little is known about the EEG during maintenance of anaesthesia with sevoflurane, so we planned a prospective trial of sevoflurane maintenance after i.v. induction with benzodiazepine and barbiturate, which is another common induction technique in children. METHODS EEG recordings were made before premedication with midazolam (0.1 mg kg(-1) i.v. ), during induction of anaesthesia with thiopental (5 mg kg(-1)), and during maintenance with sevoflurane (2% end-tidal concentration in air/oxygen without nitrous oxide) in 30 generally healthy, 3- to 8-year-old children having adenoids removed. Noise-free EEG data of good quality were successfully recorded from all 30 children. RESULTS Two independent neurophysiologists did not detect epileptiform discharges in any of the recordings. CONCLUSION Premedication with midazolam, i.v. induction with thiopental and maintenance of anaesthesia with 2% sevoflurane in air does not cause epileptiform EEG patterns in children.
Functional analysis of mitochondrial protein import in yeast

In order to facilitate studies on protein localization to and sorting within yeast mitochondria, we have designed an experimental system that utilizes a new vector and a functional assay. The vector, which we call an LPS plasmid (for leader peptide substitution), employs a yeast COX5a gene (the structural gene for subunit Va of the inner membrane protein complex cytochrome c oxidase) as a convenient reporter for correct mitochondrial localization. Using in vitro mutagenesis, we have modified COX5a so that the DNA sequences encoding the wild‐type subunit Va leader peptide can be precisely deleted and replaced with a given test sequence. The substituted leader peptide can then be analyzed for its ability to direct subunit Va to the inner mitochondrial membrane (to target and sort) by complementation or other in vivo assays. In this study we have tested the ability of several heterologous sequences to function in this system. The results of these experiments indicate that a functional leader peptide is required to target subunit Va to mitochondria. In addition, leader peptides, or portions thereof, derived from proteins located in other mitochondrial compartments can also be used to properly localize this polypeptide. The results presented here also indicate that the information necessary to sort subunit Va to the inner mitochondrial membrane does not reside in the leader peptide but rather in the mature subunit Va sequence.
Chromosomes that show partial loss or gain in near‐diploid tumors coincide with chromosomes that show whole loss or gain in near‐triploid tumors: Evidence suggesting the involvement of the same genes in the tumorigenesis of high‐ and low‐risk neuroblastomas

We performed two‐color fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to detect the numbers of chromosomes 1 and 17, 1p deletion, and 17q gain in 177 neuroblastomas, including 101 tumors that were found by a mass‐screening program for infants. Sixty‐eight tumors with disomy 1 or tetrasomy 1 were classified as the Dis1 group, and 109 tumors with trisomy 1, pentasomy 1, or a mixed population of cells with trisomy 1 and cells with tetrasomy 1 were classified as the Tris1 group. 17q gain was the most frequent genetic event, followed by 1p deletion, and MYCN amplification in both Dis1 and Tris1 tumors. However, the incidence of all the genetic events was higher in Dis1 tumors than in Tris1 tumors. These findings suggest that Tris1 tumors are more resistant to acquiring the genetic events than are Dis1 tumors. In addition, there was an accumulation of genetic events in more advanced stages, with the exception of a high incidence of 17q gain in the stage IVS Tris1 tumors. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis, which was performed in 59 of the 177 tumors, showed that chromosomes partially lost or gained in Dis1 tumors coincided with chromosomes totally lost or gained in Tris1 tumors. Dis1 and Tris1 tumors were considered to have near‐diploid/tetraploid and near‐triploid/pentaploid chromosome numbers, respectively. These findings suggest that the same tumor‐suppressor genes or oncogenes may be involved in the development and progression of both high‐ and low‐risk neuroblastomas, and that the ploidy state of the tumor plays a fundamental role in the heterogeneous behavior. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of hydrodynamic pressure processing on the processing and quality characteristics of moisture-enhanced pork loins.

UNLABELLED The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hydrodynamic pressure processing (HDP) and aging on the processing characteristics and final meat quality of moisture-enhanced pork loins. Boneless pork loins (n = 24) were split into 3 portions and assigned treatments: control (non-HDP treated, brine-injected), HDP treated before brine-injection, or HDP treated after brine-injection. Pork loins were injected with a salt/phosphate/water solution to 110% of original weight on day 0, intermittently tumbled 3 h, and then held overnight. Meat quality and protein characteristics were measured on days 1 and 8. HDP-treated loins had greater (P < 0.05) brine retention after overnight equilibration and a higher (P < 0.05) processing yield than controls. Warner-Bratzler shear force and expressible moisture decreased (P < 0.0001) with aging from days 1 to 8, but were not significantly affected by either HDP treatment. When the drip loss data from HDP treatments were pooled, HDP samples had lower drip loss values than controls. L* and b* measurements exhibited significant HDP by aging interaction effects, but a* was not influenced by either HDP or aging. Myofibrillar protein solubility and gel electrophoresis measurements of protein degradation were influenced by aging treatments. Data from this study suggest that HDP may have beneficial effects on the processing and final product quality of moisture-enhanced pork loins. PRACTICAL APPLICATION This study demonstrates that hydrodynamic pressure processing (HDP) is an effective postharvest technology for improving the processing and meat quality characteristics of moisture-enhanced pork loin products, benefiting both meat processors and consumers.
The Salmonella Type III Secretion System Inner Rod Protein PrgJ Is Partially Folded*

Background: The structure of the protein family of the bacterial inner rod proteins is unknown. Results: CD and NMR were used to determine the structural properties of the Salmonella PrgJ inner rod protein. Conclusion: PrgJ is a partially folded protein and contains only a short helix. Significance: Protein flexibility is a hallmark of the inner rod proteins. The type III secretion system (T3SS) is essential in the pathogenesis of many bacteria. The inner rod is important in the assembly of the T3SS needle complex. However, the atomic structure of the inner rod protein is currently unknown. Based on computational methods, others have suggested that the Salmonella inner rod protein PrgJ is highly helical, forming a folded 3 helix structure. Here we show by CD and NMR spectroscopy that the monomeric form of PrgJ lacks a tertiary structure, and the only well-structured part of PrgJ is a short α-helix at the C-terminal region from residues 65–82. Disruption of this helix by glycine or proline mutation resulted in defective assembly of the needle complex, rendering bacteria incapable of secreting effector proteins. Likewise, CD and NMR data for the Shigella inner rod protein MxiI indicate this protein lacks a tertiary structure as well. Our results reveal that the monomeric forms of the T3SS inner rod proteins are partially folded.
Family medicine in Switzerland: training experiences in medical school and residency.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A shift away from family medicine to medical specialties is noticed in many of the competition-based health care systems in Western countries. Our study's objective was to learn about career development of young physicians in German-speaking countries, with a particular focus on Switzerland. METHODS We performed a qualitative assessment of data on physicians' training experiences in family medicine during medical school and residency. Data were obtained through a focus group interview with 12 participants, six of whom were family medicine residents, and data were analyzed by content analysis. RESULTS The results indicate that family medicine is not well established in medical school curricula, that family physicians are often discriminated against by specialists with regard to their professional competence, that there are no structured residency programs and a lack of information about residency posts in family medicine as well as family practices to be taken over, and that the competition-based health care system does not foster a gatekeeper model and favors financially the specialists' work to the detriment of that of family physicians. CONCLUSIONS Suggestions for improvement of the situation of family medicine include providing well-trained family physicians as educators in medical schools, early training courses in family practices in medical school for all students, well-structured residency programs, support by the Swiss Society of Family Medicine in planning to open a family practice, financial incentives for family physicians, and implementation of gatekeeper models.
Characteristics of Brazilian Offenders and Victims of Interpersonal Violence: An Exploratory Study

The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of Brazilian offenders and victims of interpersonal violence, following a medicolegal and forensic perspective. A cross-sectional and exploratory study was performed in a Center of Forensic Medicine and Dentistry. The sample was made up of 1,704 victims of nonlethal interpersonal violence with some type of trauma. The victims were subject to forensic examinations by a criminal investigative team that identified and recorded the extent of the injuries. For data collection, a specific form was designed consisting of four parts according to the information provided in the medicolegal and social records: sociodemographic data of the victims, offender’s characteristics, aggression characteristics, and types of injuries. Descriptive and multivariate statistics using cluster analysis (CA) were performed. The two-step cluster method was used to characterize the profile of the victims and offenders. Most of the events occurred during the nighttime (50.9%) and on weekdays (66.3%). Soft tissue injuries were the most prevalent type (94.6%). Based on the CA results, two clusters for the victims and two for the offenders were identified. Victims: Cluster 1 was formed typically by women, aged 30 to 59 years, and married; Cluster 2 was composed of men, aged 20 to 29 years, and unmarried. Offenders: Cluster 1 was characterized by men, who perpetrated violence in a community environment. Cluster 2 was formed by men, who perpetrated violence in the familiar environment. These findings revealed different risk groups with distinct characteristics for both victims and offenders, allowing the planning of targeted measures of care, prevention, and health promotion. This study assesses the profile of violence through morbidity data and significantly contributes to building an integrated system of health surveillance in Brazil, as well as linking police stations, forensic services, and emergency hospitals.
Regulation of primordial germ cell development in the mouse.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the founders of the gametes. They arise at the earliest stages of embryonic development and migrate to the gonadal ridges, where they differentiate into oogonia/oocytes in the ovary, and prospermatogonia in the testis. The present article is a review of the main studies undertaken by the author with the aim of clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development of primordial germ cells. Methods for the isolation and purification of migratory and post-migratory mouse PGCs devised in the author's laboratory are first briefly reviewed. Such methods, together with the primary culture of PGCs onto suitable cell feeder layers, have allowed the analysis of important aspects of the control of their development, concerning in particular survival, proliferation and migration of mouse PGCs. Compounds and growth factors affecting PGC numbers in culture have been identified. These include survival anti-apoptotic factors (SCF, LIF) and positive regulators of proliferation (cAMP, PACAPs, RA). Evidence has been provided that the motility of migrating PGCs relies on integrated signals from extracellular matrix molecules and the surrounding somatic cells. Moreover, homotypic PGC-PGC interaction has been evidenced that might play a role in PGC migration and in regulating their development. Several molecules (i.e. integrins, specific types of oligosaccharides, E-cadherin, the tyrosine kinase receptor c-kit) have been found to be expressed on the surface of PGCs and to mediate adhesive interactions of PGCs with the extracellular matrix, somatic cells and neighbouring PGCs.
Practitioner initial thoughts on the role of the five propositions in the new Australian Curriculum Health and Physical Education

ABSTRACT This paper engages with some of the opportunities and challenges presented by curriculum policy reform around the world in order to explore the enactment possibilities for educators engaging with the new Australian Curriculum Health and Physical Education (ACHPE). Tensions amidst curriculum policy reform are not unique to Australia, however, the ACHPE stands out for boldy attempting to guide pedagogy through the identification of five interrelated propositions made central to the curriculum. By focussing on the educative purpose of the learning area alongside a strength-based approach, critical inquiry, health literacy and valuing movement the five propositions signal a shift towards guiding how to enact curriculum reform. The enactment of these propositions is therefore of interest in the Australian context and to global curriculum policy observers. This paper reports upon practitioner (n = 9) initial interpretations of the five propositions and what they feel and think they might look like in their everyday work. Using an inductive approach to data analysis the paper privileges practitioner interpretations in order to build a theory that can make an account of their perceptions within the complex and contested terrain of curriculum policy reform; future possibilities for health and physical education in Australia and Internationally are teased out.
End-of-life care in the ICU: treatments provided when life support was or was not withdrawn.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare and contrast use of technology, pharmacology, and physician variability in end-of-life care of ICU patients dying with or without active life support. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Two medical-surgical tertiary-care ICUs in a Canadian regional referral teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred seventy-four patients who died between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 1997. INTERVENTION Data abstraction from medical records. RESULTS Patients in whom life support was withheld or withdrawn (138 of 174, 79%) were older (65 +/- 16 years vs 55 +/- 18 years; p < 0.05 [mean +/- SD]). Once the decision to withdraw life support was made, death occurred in 4.3 h (2.1 to 6.5 h; mean [95% confidence interval]). Patients who had active life support treatment until death received more support measures including inotropic agents (36 of 36 vs 21 of 138; p < 0.05), dialysis (4 of 36 vs 2 of 138; p < 0.05), and mechanical ventilation at the time of death (36 of 36 vs 81 of 138; p < 0.05). Physician differences (> 10-fold) were detected for prescribed doses of morphine and sedative agents whether or not life support was withheld or withdrawn. The median cumulative dose of morphine prescribed during the final 12 h was larger (fivefold) in patients undergoing withdrawal of life support. No documented discussion of life support withdrawal was noted in one case. In the remaining patients, the 10 staff physicians were documented to be involved in 77% (range, 54 to 94%) of the end-of-life discussions. CONCLUSIONS Differences were evident in technologic and pharmacologic support and in physician prescribing habits in patients for whom life support was or was not withheld or withdrawn. Substantial variability was noted in physician documentation of physician-family interactions surrounding the withdrawal of life support.
CABYR is essential for fibrous sheath integrity and progressive motility in mouse spermatozoa

ABSTRACT Ca2+-binding tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated protein (CABYR) has been implicated in sperm physiological function in several in vitro studies. It has also been implicated as a potential cause of and diagnostic tool in asthenozoospermic human males. CABYR is known to be localized to the fibrous sheath, an accessory structure in the flagellar principal piece. Utilizing the CRISPR–Cas9 technology, we have knocked out this gene in mice to understand its role in male fertility. Cabyr-knockout male mice showed severe subfertility with a defect in sperm motility as well as a significant disorganization in the fibrous sheath. Further, abnormal configuration of doublet microtubules was observed in the Cabyr-knockout spermatozoa, suggesting that the fibrous sheath is important for the correct organization of the axoneme. Our results show that it is the role of CABYR in the formation of the fibrous sheath that is essential for male fertility. Summary: Removal of Cabyr by using CRISPR-Cas9 results in mouse spermatozoa with a disorganized fibrous sheath, impaired motility and a subsequent loss of their ability to fertilize oocytes.
Gut Microbiota Affects Sensitivity to Acute DSS-induced Colitis Independently of Host Genotype

Abstract:Caspase-deficient mice and wild-type (WT) mice show significant differences in their gut microbiota composition. These differences coincide with the observation that caspase-3–deficient mice carrying a natural caspase-11 mutation (Casp3/11−/−) are less sensitive to acute dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis than WT mice. For these reasons, we investigated the role of the microbiota in the development of colitis by cohousing WT and Casp3/11−/− mice. Microbial community fingerprinting by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the similarities in gut microbial composition of WT and Casp3/11−/− mice increased after cohousing. In the acute dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model, Casp3/11−/− mice that were cohoused with WT mice showed increased weight loss and disease activity scores and increased neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine levels in their colon tissue compared with Casp3/11−/− mice that were not cohoused with WT mice. Also, we demonstrate that only the microbiota of the Casp3/11−/− mice cohoused with WT mice showed an important increase in Prevotella species. In conclusion, our cohousing experiments revealed that the colitogenic activity of the WT microbiota is transferable to Casp3/11−/− mice and that Prevotella species are likely to be involved. By contrast, the relative protection of Casp3/11−/− mice against dextran sodium sulfate damage is not transferred to WT mice after cohousing. These results underscore the need for in-depth studies of the bilateral interaction of host genes and microbiota to gain insight into the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Our findings also have important implications for the experimental design of disease studies in genetically modified mice and conclusions drawn from them.
Useful Parameters for Distinguishing Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell Lymphoma From Lupus Erythematosus Panniculitis

Some cases of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) and lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP) demonstrate clinical and histopathologic overlap, raising the possibility that they represent opposite ends of a disease spectrum. SPTCL, however, is typically associated with greater morbidity and risk for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); therefore, diagnostic distinction is clinically important. We present the histopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings with long-term clinical follow-up of 13 patients with SPTCL (median, 64 mo follow-up) and 7 with LEP (median, 50 mo follow-up) in our multidisciplinary cutaneous oncology clinic. Six SPTCL patients developed HLH, including 2 under the age of 21 years. In the SPTCL group, 2 of 13 patients died of disease. In contrast, we had no mortality or development of HLH in our LEP cohort. We demonstrate that a limited panel (Ki-67, CD3, CD4, and CD8 immunostains) reveals foci of “Ki-67 hotspots” enriched in cytotoxic atypical CD8+ T cells in SPTCL. Ki-67 hotspots were not identified in LEP, thus aiding the distinction of SPTCL from LEP. Lymphocyte atypia combined with adipocyte rimming of CD8+ T cells within Ki-67 hotspots was also highly specific for the diagnosis of SPTCL. Hyaline lipomembranous change, B-cell aggregates, plasmacytoid dendritic cell clusters, and plasma cell aggregates favored the diagnosis of LEP but were identified in some cases of SPTCL including patients with HLH. We confirm that SPTCL and LEP can show significant histologic overlap, suggest a role for high-throughput sequencing in confirming neoplastic clones, and introduce the concept of SPTCL “Ki-67 hotspots” in evolving disease.