Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Platelet membranes induce airway smooth muscle cell proliferation

The role of platelets in airway disease is poorly understood although they have been suggested to influence on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC). Platelets have been found localized in the airways in autopsy material from asthmatic patients and have been implicated in airway remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of various platelet fractions on proliferation of ASMC obtained from guinea pigs (GP-ASMC) and humans (H-ASMC). Proliferation of ASMC was measured by the MTS assay and the results confirmed by measurements of the DNA content. A key observation was that the platelet membrane preparations induced a significant increase in the proliferation of both GP-ASMC (129.9 ± 3.0 %) and H-ASMC (144.8 ± 12.2). However, neither supernatants from lysed or filtrated thrombin stimulated platelets induced ASMC proliferation to the same extent as the membrane preparation. We have previously shown that platelet-induced proliferation is dependent on 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways. In the present work we established that platelet membrane-induced ASMC proliferation was reduced in the presence of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI and the 5-LOX inhibitor AA-861. In conclusion, our results showed that platelet membranes significantly induced ASMC proliferation, demonstrating that the mitogenic effect of platelets and platelet membranes on ASMC is mainly due to membrane-associated factors. The effects of platelet membranes were evident on both GP-ASMC and H-ASMC and involved 5-LOX and ROS. These new findings are of importance in understanding the mechanisms contributing to airway remodeling and may contribute to the development of new pharmacological tools in the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases.
Reproduction of lightning electromagnetic field waveforms by engineering model of return stroke

In this short paper, a new "engineering" model of subsequent return stroke has been proposed. In the model, the propagation characteristic of a channel current follows the Diendorfer and Uman (DU) model in the bottom region but a current pulse attenuates further in the upper region. This model has succeeded in reproducing all the features of reported typical electric- and magnetic-field waveforms associated with natural subsequent lightning and triggered lightning.
Bartonella dromedarii sp. nov. isolated from domesticated camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Israel.

Bartonella spp. are fastidious, Gram-negative bacilli that cause a wide spectrum of diseases in humans. Most Bartonella spp. have adapted to a specific host, generally a domestic or wild mammal. Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) have become a focus of growing public-health interest because they have been identified as a reservoir host for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Nevertheless, data on camel zoonoses are limited. We aimed to study the occurrence of Bartonella bacteremia among dromedaries in Israel. Nine of 51 (17.6%) camels were found to be bacteremic with Bartonella spp. ; bacteremia levels ranged from five to >1000 colony-forming units/mL. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the concatenated sequences of gltA and rpoB genes demonstrated that the dromedary Bartonella isolates are closely related to other ruminant-derived Bartonella spp. , with B. bovis being the nearest relative. Using electron microscopy, the novel isolates were shown to be flagellated, whereas B. bovis is nonflagellated. Sequence comparisons analysis of the housekeeping genes ftsZ, ribC, and groEL showed the highest homology to B. chomelii, B. capreoli, and B. birtlesii, respectively. Sequence analysis of the gltA and rpoB revealed ∼96% identity to B. bovis, a previously suggested cutoff value for sequence-based differentiation of Bartonella spp. , suggesting that this approach does not have sufficient discriminatory power for differentiating ruminant-related Bartonella spp. A comprehensive multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis based on nine genetic loci (gltA, rpoB, ftsZ, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 16S rRNA, ribC, groEL, nuoG, and SsrA) identified seven sequence types of the new dromedary isolates. This is the first description of a Bartonella sp. from camelids. On the basis of a distinct reservoir and ecological niche, sequence analyses, and expression of flagella, we designate these isolates as a novel Bartonella sp. named Bartonella dromedarii sp. nov. Further studies are required to explore its zoonotic potential.
O currículo e a distorção idade-série nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental

This work is the result of a Master's degree research in Education affiliated with the PostGraduation Program in Education of the Faculty of Education of the University of Brasilia, under the guidance of Professor Dr. Livia Freitas Fonseca Borges, coordinator of the Research Group Curriculum: Fundamentals and Practices. The research was held in public school located in the periphery of the Federal District. The central theme is the age-grade distortion, i.e., the gap between age and grade/year that the student should be enrolled in. It was made a research with qualitative approach that used as procedures two focus groups with the students; semi-structured interviews with ten mothers/fathers, with the three teachers who worked in groups of age-grade distortion, being one of ‘literacy’ and two called ‘in process’, and with the principal and the coordinator of the school; participant observation; and document analysis of the students’ academic records. The axes of analysis of the research were the curriculum, grade/cycle and learning evaluation. The text is divided into chapters: in the first it is identified that the age-grade distortion is not a local problem of the Federal District, since it occurs in all Brazilian states, and recurrent causes are failure, dropout and late entry, and failure prevails over the other ones; the second shows how the age-grade distortion is present in researches, as well as the problem and the objectives of this research; in chapter three, are presented the methodological path with its respective instruments and research procedures; in the fourth, it is studied the genesis of this problem; in the fifth, are approached the theories of curriculum guided by authors of the critical theory; in the sixth chapter, formative evaluation and its principles are exposed, anchoring in authors who study and defend formative evaluation as a tool for overcoming quantitative evaluation, used to measure, quantify and classify; the seventh one presents the school where the empirical research was held, referred in this work as School of Resistance; and the last part argues that the age-grade distortion happens as a consequence of the school system organization and that formative evaluation and curriculum studies may serve to minimize this problem.
Duration and clearance of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women: the Hawaii HPV cohort study.

BACKGROUND The association of anal cancer with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is well established; however, little is known about the epidemiology of anal HPV in healthy women. We investigated patterns of duration and clearance of anal HPV infection in a cohort of healthy women in Hawaii. METHODS Viral and nonviral determinants of anal HPV clearance were examined in a longitudinal cohort study of 431 sexually active women. At baseline and at 4-month intervals, interviews were conducted and cervical and anal cell specimens were obtained for detection of HPV DNA. RESULTS Of the 431 women, 50% experienced a total of 414 incident anal HPV infections, reported at 1 clinic visits from baseline through a follow-up period of average duration of 1.2 years. Of these infections, 58% cleared during follow-up. The clearance rate for a high-risk anal infection was 9.2 per 100 woman-months (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9-11.9 per 100 woman-months), with a median duration of 150 days (95% CI, 132-243 days). The slowest clearing high-risk HPV types were HPV-59 (median clearance time, 350 days) and HPV-58 (median clearance time, 252 days). The median clearance times for HPV-16 and HPV-18, the predominant types associated with anal cancer, were 132 days and 212 days, respectively. Nonviral factors that delayed clearance of anal HPV included douching, long-term tobacco smoking, and anal sex. CONCLUSIONS The majority of anal HPV infections resolve in a relatively short time. Although anal HPV is commonly acquired in healthy women, its rapid clearance suggests limited efficacy of HPV testing as an anal cancer screening tool.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: using P300 topography to choose optimal treatment

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the most prevalent behavioral disorder in children, and persists into adulthood. Stimulants (methylphenidate and amphetamines) with dopaminergic mechanisms are the most commonly used pharmacological treatment. Nonselective (desipramine and imipramine) and selective (atomoxetine) norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors can also be effective.What constitutes a sufficient response to treatment? Too often a partial response, leaving the patient symptomatic, is accepted. If response is defined more strictly, allowing for a return to normal, then the usually quoted 70% response rates to any given attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medicine drop to approximately 40%. With different medicines and not enough patients responding robustly to any given medicine, we can use medicines sequentially to find the medicine that produces a robust response. Alternatively, P300 topography can be used to select optimal treatment.
Anti-Epiligrin Cicatricial Pemphigoid: Clinical Findings, Immunopathogenesis, and Significant Associations

We report the clinical and immunopathologic findings in a cohort of 35 patients with anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid (AECP). These patients have a mucosal predominant subepithelial blistering disease that is clinically indistinguishable from other forms of cicatricial pemphigoid. The mucosal surfaces of the mouth and eye are most commonly involved. The skin is also involved in most patients, but usually this is less severe than mucosal involvement. AECP is characterized by the binding of circulating IgG autoantibodies to the dermal side of 1M NaCl split human skin on indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. These IgG antibasement membrane autoantibodies target laminin 5, a heterotrimeric protein consisting of α3, β3, and γ2 subunits. IgG autoantibodies predominantly target the G domain within the α subunit. The presence of circulating IgG autoantibodies are specific for the diagnosis of AECP and are not seen in patients with other autoimmune blistering diseases or normal volunteers. Furthermore, we expand on data previously reported on the finding of an increased relative risk for solid cancer in patients with AECP, especially in the first year after blister onset. The majority of cancers documented in a cohort of 35 patients assembled over 12 years of study were adenocarcinomas that were at an advanced stage at their time of detection. This circumstance is thought to account for a high incidence of mortality among AECP patients who develop an associated cancer. AECP patients also demonstrate a significant risk for mortality as a consequence of treatment with systemic immunosuppressives. The current longitudinal study suggests that only a minority of AECP patients go into remission.
Merger results under price competition and plant-specific unions

This paper analyses the effects of a downstream merger in a differentiated duopoly under price competition and plant-specific unions. We show, in contrast with the preceding literature, that the standard welfare results may be reversed: a downstream merger may increase consumer surplus and overall welfare. In particular, this applies when unions are sufficiently wage-oriented and the market size is included in a certain intermediate range.
Immunochemical detection of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar venom in rats

Severe cases of human envenoming by caterpillars of the saturniid moth Lonomia obliqua in Brazil can result in renal damage, leading to renal failure, and intracerebral hemorrhaging. In this work, we used immunohistochemical staining with rabbit antiserum raised against L. obliqua venom to examine venom distribution in selected tissues of the brain (cerebellum and hippocampus), kidneys, and liver of male Wistar rats injected with a single dose of venom (200 μg/kg, i.v.) and sacrificed 6, 18, 24, and 72 hours later. The immunolabeling of GFAP was also examined to assess the venom effects on perivascular astrocytic end‐feet in the microvasculature of the hippocampus and cerebellum. Venom was detected in the kidneys (6 and 18 hours) and in the liver (6 hours) but not in the brain at any of the time intervals examined. In contrast, immunolabeling for GFAP revealed astrogliosis in the cerebellum and enhanced expression of this protein in the glial processes of the cerebellum and hippocampus, with a maximum response from 24 hours onwards. The high immunoreactivity seen in the kidneys agreed with the renal damage and dysfunction reported for some patients. The lack of venom detection in the brain, despite the altered expression of GFAP in astrocytes, suggested either that the venom does not enter this organ or that its entrance is transient and fast. Alternatively, the circulating venom may induce the release of mediators that could serve as second messengers to provoke the late astrocytic reactivity and astrogliosis. It is possible that both of these mechanisms may contribute to the effects observed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 65:276–281, 2004. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical activity in adolescence and young adulthood and breast cancer risk: a quantitative review

Physical activity habits are potentially modifiable and could therefore be targeted in a primary prevention strategy against breast cancer, provided there is causality and a sufficiently strong relationship. Our objective of this quantitative review was to provide a summary estimate of the association of moderate/vigorous recreational physical activity during adolescence/young adulthood with breast cancer risk, and to determine whether a dose-response relationship exists. Data sources included studies in humans relating physical activity to breast cancer risk, published between January 1966 and October 2002, identified on Medline, the Web of Science, from reference lists and related reviews. The main characteristics of each study, the point estimates of relative risk (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) were extracted from 19 case-control and four cohort studies. Comparing the highest to the lowest category of physical activity, the summary RR from the random effects model was 0.81 (95% CI 0.73–0.89). This almost 20% risk reduction proved to be fairly consistent, despite variation in populations and methods. Each one-hour increase of recreational physical activity/week during adolescence was associated with a 3% (95% CI 0–6%) risk reduction. Physical activity in 12–24-year-old females significantly reduces risk of breast cancer. Heterogeneity may be explained by different methods to measure activity.
Diet Quality of Pregnant Women Attending an Antenatal Clinic in Nakuru, Kenya

Background/Aims: To determine diet quality and common food sources of various nutrients of pregnant Kenyan women. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 716 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru, Kenya. Nutrient intake was estimated using the 24-hour dietary recall method. Results: Inadequate nutrient intake was found for energy, total folic acid, calcium, iron and zinc. Adequate intake was found for protein, fat, PUFA, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, vitamins A and C. Diet quality was poor as evidenced from the food sources of various nutrients. Maize flour was the most common source of the following nutrients: energy, protein, total folic acid, iron and zinc. Young women and those of low socio-economic status were at risk of inadequate intake of some of the nutrients. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate poor-quality diets of pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic, low in multiple micronutrients. Nutrient education for dietary diversification and nutrient supplementation should be explored as interventions for improving nutrient intake among pregnant women.
New Panel Evidence on International Interest Rate Linkage

In this paper, nominal interest rate linkages between 11 OECD countries are examined. As required for the uncovered interest parity (UIP) to hold empirically, the differentials between the interest rates of Germany (or the US) and the other countries should be stationary. Monthly short-term, medium-term and long-term interest rates are investigated using two types of panel unit root tests. Whereas obtaining mixed evidence for the US differentials, the results on German differentials all point towards stationarity. In particular over medium and long horizons the interest rate linkage is highly significant.
The effect of an inhibitive weight-bearing splint on tone and function: a single-case study.

OBJECTIVE This single-case study was designed to duplicate Smelt's (1989) study of the effects of the application of an inhibitive weight-bearing splint on upper-extremity muscle tone and function in a child with cerebral palsy. METHOD Data on tone were collected by tracing the hand when weight bearing in the extended arm posture. Data on function were collected by observing block play for active grasp and voluntary release and ball play. RESULTS Results indicate that after the application of an inhibitive weight-bearing splint, tone changed minimally, fine motor functional task changes were variable, and arm-hand position improved. Subjective reports by family and other caregivers, however, suggest that tone decreased and function increased. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest the need to find more accurate means of measuring changes of tone and function in children with cerebral palsy. Selection criteria for suitable candidates for the weight-bearing splint are presented.
Oral self-care behaviours: comparing Greek and Japanese dental students.

AIM This study explored cross-cultural differences of self-reported oral health behaviours between Greek and Japanese dental students. PARTICIPANTS The sample population included 877 dental students, 539 students registered at the University of Athens Dental School, and 338 registered at the Hiroshima University Dental School. MATERIAL AND METHODS Oral health behaviour was assessed using the Greek and Japanese versions of a 20-item questionnaire entitled Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI). RESULTS The mean questionnaire score of the Japanese students (7.40) was significantly greater than that of the Greek peers (6.86, P = 0.001), indicating better oral self-care behaviour amongst the Japanese students; however, the overall difference was mainly attributed to their additional sixth study year. Greek and Japanese students provided significantly different answers to 14 of 20 HU-DBI items. Greeks significantly more often were required by their dentist to evaluate their brushing technique (OR = 14.4, P < 0.01), checked their teeth in the mirror after brushing (OR = 8.1, P < 0.01), worried about bad breath (OR = 6.7, P < 0.01), and believed that gum disease is preventable by tooth brushing alone (OR = 2.1, P < 0.05), whereas their Japanese peers significantly more often felt comfortable to clean their teeth without the use of a toothpaste (OR = 0.3, P < 0.01), believed that they take much time to brush their teeth (OR = 0.3, P < 0.01), used a child-sized toothbrush (OR = 0.2, P < 0.01), and put off going to the dentist until having toothache (OR = 0.4, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Considerable differences in dental health attitudes/behaviour exist amongst students in the two countries reflecting the different culture and the health education system of the students; moreover, it is possible to distinguish Greek dental students from Japanese peers with a probability of more than 89% by using the HU-DBI instrument.
UK National Registry Study of Kidney Donation After Circulatory Death for Pediatric Recipients

Background Donation after circulatory death (DCD) kidney transplantation has acceptable renal allograft survival in adults but there are few data in pediatric recipients. The aim of this study was to determine renal allograft outcomes for pediatric recipients of a DCD kidney. Methods Data were collected from the UK Transplant Registry held by National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Kidney transplants performed for pediatric recipients (age, <18 years) in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2014 were separated into DCD, donation after brain death (DBD), and living donor (LD) transplants, analyzing 3-year patient and renal allograft survival. Results One thousand seven hundred seventy-two kidney only transplants were analyzed. Twenty-one (1.2%) of these were from DCD donors, 955 (53.9%) from DBD donors, and 796 (44.9%) from LDs. Patient survival is 100% in the DCD group, 98.7% in the DBD group, and 98.9% in the LD group. Three-year renal allograft survival was 95.2% in the DCD group, 87.1% in the DBD group, and 92.9% in the LD group. There was no significant difference in 3-year renal allograft survival between the DCD and DBD groups (P = 0.42) or DCD and LD groups (P = 0.84). For DCD, the primary nonfunction rate was 5% and delayed graft function was 25%. Conclusions Children receiving a DCD kidney transplant have good renal allograft survival at 3-year follow-up, comparable to those receiving a kidney from a DBD donor or a LD. This limited evidence encourages the use of selected DCD kidneys in pediatric transplantation, and DCD allocation algorithms may need to be reviewed in view of this.
Severity of Cardiovascular Disease, Apolipoprotein E Genotype, and Brain Pathology in Aging and Dementia

Abstract: Neuropathological lesions, essential for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as senile‐neuritic plaques (SP/NPs), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), the beta‐amyloid load (Aβ4) and the load of PHF‐τ did not increase with increased severity of cardiovascular disease in 126 clinically demented and 303 nondemented aged individuals. In contrast, the extent of AD lesions was greater in nondemented and demented individuals with the ApoE ɛ4 allele compared to those without this allele. On the other hand, the extent of vascular lesions currently used for the diagnosis of vascular dementia (VaD) showed correlation with the cardiovascular index, whereas ApoE ɛ4 allele did not seem to influence the extent of vascular lesions. The calculated CVI showed significant correlation with premortem estimated Hachinski score, and both the CVI and Hachinski score were higher in demented patients with extensive vascular lesions. Our results demonstrate that ApoE ɛ4 allele, a known risk factor for dementia, indeed influences the extent of Alzheimer's lesions seen in the brain tissue of demented patients and asymptomatic controls. The cardiovascular disease again seems to influence the extent of vascular lesions.