Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Goblet cell rebound and airway dysfunction with corticosteroid withdrawal in a mouse model of asthma.

RATIONALE Although corticosteroids are highly effective at preventing allergen-induced increases in goblet cell numbers, we observed in unpublished experiments a rebound increase in goblet cell numbers in mice after the simultaneous withdrawal of corticosteroid and cessation of exposure to allergen that reached levels greater than those observed in mice exposed to allergen alone, without corticosteroid treatment. OBJECTIVES To formally explore the goblet cell hyperplasia rebound observed after corticosteroid withdrawal in allergen-exposed mice to determine the mechanism responsible for this previously undescribed pathology. METHODS Mice airways were assessed for mucin-containing goblet cells after exposure to varying durations of allergen and corticosteroid. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We confirmed that the simultaneous withdrawal of corticosteroid and cessation of exposure to allergen resulted in a goblet cell hyperplasia rebound that reached levels greater than those observed in allergen-exposed corticosteroid naive mice. Importantly, the goblet cell rebound was associated with a significant airway dysfunction greater than that observed in allergen-exposed corticosteroid naive mice. The goblet cell hyperplasia rebound is independent of the type of corticosteroid or allergen and was associated with an increased level of bronchoalveolar lavage IL-13. Inhibition of IL-13, but not CD4+ T cells, completely inhibited the goblet cell hyperplasia rebound and, critically, the associated airway dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that certain corticosteroid treatment regimes may actually potentiate airway remodeling and dysfunction in patients with asthma and lead to increased exacerbations and worsening of asthma symptoms.
Title Salicylate , diflunisal and their metabolites inhibit CBP / p 300 and exhibit anticancer activity

Salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid are potent and widely used anti-inflammatory drugs. They are thought to exert their therapeutic effects through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenases, modulation of NF-kB activity, and direct activation of AMPK. However, the full spectrum of their activities is incompletely understood. Here we show that salicylate specifically inhibits CBP and p300 lysine acetyltransferase activity in vitro by direct competition with acetyl-Coenzyme A at the catalytic site. We used a chemical structure-similarity search to identify another anti-inflammatory drug, diflunisal, that inhibits p300 more potently than salicylate. At concentrations attainable in human plasma after oral administration, both salicylate and diflunisal blocked the acetylation of lysine residues on histone and non-histone proteins in cells. Finally, we found that diflunisal suppressed the growth of p300-dependent leukemia cell lines expressing AML1-ETO fusion protein in vitro and in vivo. These results highlight a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism of action for salicylate and derivative drugs. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.11156. 001
Practice of Epidemiology BodyMass Index Categories in Observational Studies of Weight and Risk of Death

The World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Bethesda, Maryland) have developed standard categories of body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight (kg)/ height (m)) of less than 18.5 (underweight), 18.5–24.9 (normal weight), 25.0–29.9 (overweight), and 30.0 or more (obesity). Nevertheless, studies of BMI and the risk of death sometimes use nonstandard BMI categories that vary across studies. In a meta-analysis of 8 large studies that used nonstandard BMI categories and were published between 1999 and 2014 and included 5.8 million participants, hazard ratios tended to be small throughout the range of overweight and normal weight. Risks were similar between subjects of high-normal weight (BMI of approximately 23.0–24.9) and those of low overweight (BMI of approximately 25.0–27.4). In an example using national survey data, minor variations in the reference category affected hazard ratios. For example, choosing high-normal weight (BMI of 23.0–24.9) instead of standard normal weight (BMI of 18.5–24.9) as the reference category produced higher nonsignificant hazard ratios (1.05 vs. 0.97 for men and 1.06 vs. 1.02 for women) for the standard overweight category (BMI of 25.0–29.9). Use of the standard BMI groupings avoids problems of ad hoc and post hoc category selection and facilitates between-study comparisons. The ways in which BMI data are categorized and reported may shape inferences about the degree of risk for various BMI categories.
Short‐term training alters the control of mitochondrial respiration rate before maximal oxidative ATP synthesis

Short‐term exercise training may induce metabolic and performance adaptations before any changes in mitochondrial enzyme potential. However, there has not been a study that has directly assessed changes in mitochondrial oxidative capacity or metabolic control as a consequence of such training in vivo. Therefore, we used 31P‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) to examine the effect of short‐term plantar flexion exercise training on phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery kinetics and the control of respiration rate.
Antiretroviral Therapy with a Twice-Daily Regimen Containing 400 Milligrams of Indinavir and 100 Milligrams of Ritonavir in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Women during Pregnancy

ABSTRACT We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a twice daily regimen containing 400 mg of indinavir and 100 mg of ritonavir in 32 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women during pregnancy. The median indinavir trough concentration was 208 ng/ml during the third trimester. At delivery, 26 of 28 women on indinavir-ritonavir had HIV RNA levels of <200 copies/ml. No infant was HIV infected. These data are encouraging for the use of this combination for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Running title : bone mineral density , fractures and osteoarthritis

Objective. To examine the longitudinal relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and the incidence and progression of knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis, and the relationship between prevalent vertebral and non-vertebral fractures and the incidence and progression of osteoarthritis in elderly men and women in the Rotterdam Study. Methods. Ageand sex-specific quartiles of baseline femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD) were constructed for a total number of 4,154 subjects. Radiographs were scored for incidence and progression of knee and hip osteoarthritis, and for incidence of hand osteoarthritis. Prevalent vertebral fractures were scored using the McCloskey/Kanis method, and prevalent non-vertebral fractures were reported by baseline interview. Results. Subjects in the highest quartile of FN-BMD had an increased risk of incident knee radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) (OR 1.58; 95%CI: 1.14 to 2.18), and an increased risk of incident hip ROA (OR 1.57; 95%CI: 1.06 to 2.32) compared to the lowest quartile. No A cc ep te d A rt ic le This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. significant relationship was found between high FN-BMD and progression of knee or hip ROA, or the incidence of hand ROA. Prevalent vertebral and non-vertebral fractures were not related to the incidence or progression of knee or hip ROA. Vertebral fractures were however associated with incident hand ROA (OR 1.74; 95%CI: 1.02 to 2.98). Conclusion. Results from the present study confirm earlier studies and thus provide strong evidence that high FN-BMD is a prognostic risk factor for the development of knee and hip ROA. Vertebral fractures were found to be a risk factor for incident hand ROA.
Retail Brand Extension: From Theory to Practice. A Multi- Country Study of European Grocery Retailers

This chapter reviews the literature on brand extension, with particular reference to retail brand extension strategies performed by grocery retailers. Aims, advantages and disadvantages, as well as types of this strategy are described. Then, the results of a survey aimed at comparing the customers’ perceptions and buying behaviour when retailers extend their brands, in particular when this strategy is pursued in non-traditional businesses, are presented. The survey consisted in administering a structured questionnaire aimed at investigating the main antecedents of brand extension success to samples of retail custom- ers interviewed in two different retail national contexts, namely, Italy and France. The extension product investigated is car fuel offered through a fuel station branded with the retailer’s brand name. Applying Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), the mediating role of attitude towards the extension (ATEX) in generating brand extension success (INTEX) and the key role of fit and of the perceived capability of the retailer to offer the extension product (R&C) as antecedents were verified in both national contexts. On the contrary, the impact of customers’ preference towards national brands (NBP) reported mixed results.
Microbiological quality of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Nunavik, Quebec: a pilot study.

This pilot study was aimed at documenting the presence of fecal indicators and enteric pathogens in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from 6 communities in Nunavik, Quebec. One to four 2 kg samples of mussels were collected at low tide in each community. Samples were investigated by enumeration methods for the fecal indicators enterococci, Escherichia coli, F-specific coliphages, Clostridium perfringens, and by molecular identification for the pathogens norovirus, Salmonella spp. , Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (particularly serovar O157:H7), Shigella spp. , and Yersinia enterocolitica. In 5 communities, the presence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. was also tested by microscopy and molecular methods and that of Toxoplasma gondii was tested by molecular methods. Apart from small quantities of Clostridium perfringens in 2 samples, no bacterial or viral pathogens were detected in the mussels. Toxoplasma gondii was also not detected. However, G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were present in 18% and 73% of the samples investigated for these pathogens, respectively. When considering the indicators and the viral and bacterial pathogens investigated, the mussels examined were of good microbiological quality, but considering the presence of potentially zoonotic protozoa, it should be recommended that consumers cook the molluscs well before eating them.
Accident proneness of pilots in Indian Air Force : An empirical analysis through selection criteria

Flying is a highly complex task and there are innumerable psychological factors which traditionally have been considered as important requisites to be an aviator. The selection boards (AFSBs) adopt comprehensive psychological test batteries to ascertain the suitability of aspiring candidates for flying based on intelligence, aptitude and personality variables. Those who do not exhibit these qualities/abilities to an acceptable degree are weeded out. Despite adopting such precision in selecting the "right stuff", some mishaps still occur, which have their origin in the man controlling the machine. Human error has been implicated in 70-80% of all civil and military aviation accidents consistently since the early 40s. If such human elements responsible for these errors are identified at the selection stage itself, we can possibly minimize or even completely eliminate alarming rate of air accidents/incidents. Thus it becomes imperative to undertake a retrospective study to systematically re-examine the association between pilot selection criteria and accident proneness. The present research therefore focuses on the similarities and dissimilarities between accident free pilots and those who are not. We studied the records of 615 IAF pilots, about half of whom had “clean” records while the other half had been involved in an accident between 1973-1996. The performance of these two groups on intelligence tests, pilot aptitude battery and personality tests employed at AFSBs was analysed. Results indicate that both the groups differed significantly on pilot aptitude battery. Details are discussed. IJASM 2009; 53(1): 36-44
Antibodies in Secondary Syphilis against Five of Forty Reiter Treponeme Antigens

More than forty water‐soluble antigens were found in the Reiter treponeme by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, using isolated and concentrated Ig from immunized rabbits. Five antigens reacted with antibodies in sera from selected patients with secondary syphilis, all having strong reactions in traditional tests for syphilis. No antibodies were found in selected healthy controls non‐reactive in traditional syphilis tests. The live antigens represent available and potentially valuable antigens for development of new diagnostic syphilis tests. One of the antigens probably represents the axial filament. The findings open new possibilities for precise immunochemical studies of treponemes and of the immunology of syphilis.
Acute appendicitis: added diagnostic value of coronal reformations from isotropic voxels at multi-detector row CT.

PURPOSE To assess retrospectively the added value of coronal reformations from isotropic voxels obtained with 16-section multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. One hundred consecutive patients (21 men, 79 women; mean age, 38 years) with suspected appendicitis underwent 16-section multi-detector row CT (section thickness, 0.625 mm; pitch, 1.75; table speed, 35 mm/sec [17.5 mm per rotation, two rotations]; and gantry speed, 0.5 second per rotation), with coronal reformations. Twenty-four patients had appendicitis; 76 did not. Protocol included 150 mL oral iopamidol administered at 3 mL/sec. Transverse scans were reconstructed with 5-mm-thick sections at 5-mm intervals and 0.625-mm-thick sections at 0.625-mm intervals. The second data set was reformatted coronally, with 3-mm-thick sections at 5-mm intervals. Three independent blinded readers interpreted transverse scans alone and then coronal scans; confidence in visualization of any portion of appendix, entire appendix, wall thickening, distention, inflammation, fluid, and appendicitis was scored with 1-5 scale. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for each reader and compared by means of signed rank test. Agreement between readers was determined with kappa statistic. Differences in mean confidence ratings for each finding were determined with Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS Mean sensitivity and specificity for all three readers together were 96% and 95% for transverse reformations alone and 95% and 94% for combined transverse and coronal reformations (not significant), respectively. Visualization rates for portion or all of appendix were higher for combined transverse and coronal reformations than for transverse reformations alone (higher mean confidence scores: 0.23 higher [P < .009] and 0.51 higher [P < .001], respectively). In patients without appendicitis, transverse and coronal reformations together enhanced confidence in exclusion of wall thickening, distention, and fluid (lower confidence scores: 0.21 lower [P < .001], 0.17 lower [P < .01], 1.00 lower [P < .001], respectively). Combined transverse and coronal reformations enhanced confidence in identification of appendix in mean of 57 patients. Combined transverse and coronal scans helped exclude appendicitis in mean of 38 patients and aided diagnosis of it in 15. CONCLUSION Sixteen-section multi-detector row CT transverse and coronal reformations are equally sensitive and specific for diagnosis of appendicitis. Coronal reformations improve confidence in visualization of appendix (whether diseased or normal) and in diagnosis or exclusion of appendicitis.
Measuring The Effects of Online-to-Offline Marketing

Due to the competitiveness of the e-commerce environment and the emerging usage of mobile devices, companies have found a new e-marketing strategy, that is, online-to-offline (O2O) marketing, to integrate both channels more efficiently. The rapid rise of the O2O market in recent years has changed the way people consume and become an important issue. However, there are still very few studies focusing on O2O marketing issues. Hence, the purpose of this study is to develop an analytic model to explore how consumers adopt O2O commerce models. In this study, we collect 1,267 samples of valid Taiwan-based internet users who intended to adopt multi-channel retailing, using a web survey of consumers through InsightXplorer’s CyberPanel. We use EFA and CFA to confirm search factors (information availability, search convenience, enjoyment, media richness and tangibility) and purchase factors (service quality, price and promotion, purchase convenience, risk perception, immediacy and product quantity) in keeping with past research. We also conduct a multinomial logit model to analyze the relationships among search factors, purchase factors, and adopting multi-channel purchasing behavior. The results indicate that the main reason consumers choose to purchase through physical channels is that they could provide better sales service quality and have a lower shopping risk, however, if consumers care about prices and promotions, they tend to lean towards the Mobile path. At the close of this paper, in-depth discussions and conclusions are provided to inform further research and future practices. To cite this document: I-Ping Chiang, Chia-Yi Lin, and Chih-Hui Huang, "Measuring the Effects of Online-to-Offline Marketing", Contemporary Management Research, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 167-190, 2018. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.7903/cmr.18462
Title Gastrointestinal helminths may affect host susceptibility to anthrax through seasonal immune trade-offs Permalink

Background: Most vertebrates experience coinfections, and many pathogen-pathogen interactions occur indirectly through the host immune system. These interactions are particularly strong in mixed micro-macroparasite infections because of immunomodulatory effects of helminth parasites. While these trade-offs have been examined extensively in laboratory animals, few studies have examined them in natural systems. Additionally, many wildlife pathogens fluctuate seasonally, at least partly due to seasonal host immune changes. We therefore examined seasonality of immune resource allocation, pathogen abundance and exposure, and interactions between infections and immunity in plains zebra (Equus quagga) in Etosha National Park (ENP), Namibia, a system with strongly seasonal patterns of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth infection intensity and concurrent anthrax outbreaks. Both pathogens are environmentally transmitted, and helminth seasonality is driven by environmental pressures on free living life stages. The reasons behind anthrax seasonality are currently not understood, though anthrax is less likely directly driven by environmental factors. Results: We measured a complex, interacting set of variables and found evidence that GI helminth infection intensities, eosinophil counts, IgE and IgGb antibody titers, and possibly IL-4 cytokine signaling were increased in wetter seasons, and that ectoparasite infestations and possibly IFN-γ cytokine signaling were increased in drier seasons. Monocyte counts and anti-anthrax antibody titers were negatively associated with wet season eosinophilia, and monocytes were negatively correlated with IgGb and IgE titers. Taken together, this supports the hypothesis that ENP wet seasons are characterized by immune resource allocation toward Th-2 type responses, while Th1-type immunity may prevail in drier seasons, and that hosts may experience Th1-Th2 trade-offs. We found evidence that this Th2-type resource allocation is likely driven by GI parasite infections, and that these trade-offs may render hosts less capable of concurrently mounting effective Th1-type immune responses against anthrax. Conclusions: This study is one of the first to examine laboratory-demonstrated Th1-Th2 trade-offs in a natural system. It provides evidence that seasonally bound pathogens may affect, through immunology, transmission dynamics of pathogens that might otherwise not be seasonally distributed. It suggests that, by manipulating the internal host ecosystem, GI parasites may influence the external ecosystem by affecting the dynamics of another environmentally transmitted pathogen.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Improvement in liver histological analysis with weight loss

The effect of significant weight loss on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease remains unclear. In this case series of 36 selected obese patients, we examined the effect of weight loss on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis. These 36 patients (11 males, 25 females) had paired liver biopsies, the first at the time of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement and the second after weight loss. Second biopsies were obtained from two groups: those requiring a subsequent laparoscopic procedure (n = 19) and those with index biopsy score of 2 or greater for zone 3‐centric hepatic fibrosis (n = 17). All biopsies were scored, blinded to the patient's identity and clinical condition, for individual histological features and for NASH stage and grade. Initial biopsies demonstrated NASH in 23 patients and steatosis in 12 patients. Repeat biopsies were taken at 25.6 ± 10 months (range, 9–51 months) after band placement. Mean weight loss was 34.0 ± 17 kg, and percentage of excess weight loss was 52 ± 17%. There were major improvements in lobular steatosis, necroinflammatory changes, and fibrosis at the second biopsy (P < .001 for all). Portal abnormalities remained unchanged. Only four of the repeat biopsies fulfilled the criteria for NASH. There were 18 patients with an initial fibrosis score of 2 or more compared with 3 patients at follow‐up (P < .001). Those with the metabolic syndrome (n = 23) had more extensive changes before surgery and greater improvement with weight loss. In conclusion, weight loss after surgery provides major improvement or resolution of obesity and metabolic syndrome‐associated abnormal liver histological features in severely obese subjects. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:1647–1654.)
Crystal structure of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli colonization factor CS6 reveals a novel type of functional assembly

Coli surface antigen 6 (CS6) is a widely expressed enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) colonization factor that mediates bacterial attachment to the small intestinal epithelium. CS6 is a polymer of two protein subunits CssA and CssB, which are secreted and assembled on the cell surface via the CssC/CssD chaperone usher (CU) pathway. Here, we present an atomic resolution model for the structure of CS6 based on the results of X‐ray crystallographic, spectroscopic and biochemical studies, and suggest a mechanism for CS6‐mediated adhesion. We show that the CssA and CssB subunits are assembled alternately in linear fibres by the principle of donor strand complementation. This type of fibre assembly is novel for CU assembled adhesins. We also show that both subunits in the fibre bind to receptors on epithelial cells, and that CssB, but not CssA, specifically recognizes the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. Taken together, structural and functional results suggest that CS6 is an adhesive organelle of a novel type, a hetero‐polyadhesin that is capable of polyvalent attachment to different receptors.