Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk-Taking and Reasons for Living in Non-Clinical Italian University Students

The associations between risk-taking, hopelessness, and reasons for living were explored in a sample of 312 Italian students. Respondents completed the Physical Risk Assessment Inventory, the Physical Risk-Taking Behavior Inventory, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Reasons for Living Inventory. Students with lower scores on the Reasons for Living Inventory and higher scores on the Beck Hopelessness Scale rated the risky activities as less risky and engaged in them more often. Women obtained higher scores on risk assessment, lower scores on personal risk-taking and higher scores on the Reasons for Living Inventory and most of its subscales. Men in general and people who take risks and perceive lower risk are more hopeless and relatively weak in reasons for living.
Role of the gut microbiota in health and chronic gastrointestinal disease : 10 understanding a hidden metabolic organ 11 12 13

NOTICE: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published online in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology on March 26, 2013. This may be accessed at http://online.sagepub. com, DOI: 10.1177/1756283X13482996
Exploring Employee Engagement—A Way to Better Business Performance

There is an unprecedented change in the job description as well as workforce diversity due to globalization of organizations. Employee engagement has emerged as an important management-focused activity in order to compete and perform in a dynamic and competitive environment, having linkage with the organization’s goals and objectives. This article aims to provide an exploratory study on employee engagement, its concepts and definitions as evolved through recent times, factors or drivers affecting it, its measures and importance for better business outcomes. The methodology used for this study includes selected literature reviews on employee engagement. Employee engagement is found to be a continuous process and is highly organization specific. There is no clear and widely accepted definition of employee engagement; however, it is found to be an integration of different behavioural components, such as commitment, involvement, attachment, discretionary effort, energy, positive attitude and psychological presence, that leads the employee potential into employee performance which is positively linked with organization success.
Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation During Pregnancy on Risk of Persistent Wheeze in the Offspring: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE Observational studies have suggested that increased dietary vitamin D intake during pregnancy may protect against wheezing in the offspring, but the preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation to pregnant women is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether supplementation of vitamin D3 during the third trimester of pregnancy reduces the risk of persistent wheeze in the offspring. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A double-blind, single-center, randomized clinical trial conducted within the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010 cohort. Enrollment began March 2009 with a goal of 708 participants, but due to delayed ethical approval, only 623 women were recruited at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Follow-up of the children (N = 581) was completed when the youngest child reached age 3 years in March 2014. INTERVENTIONS Vitamin D3 (2400 IU/d; n = 315) or matching placebo tablets (n = 308) from pregnancy week 24 to 1 week postpartum. All women received 400 IU/d of vitamin D3 as part of usual pregnancy care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Age at onset of persistent wheeze in the first 3 years of life. Secondary outcomes included number of episodes of troublesome lung symptoms, asthma, respiratory tract infections, and neonatal airway immunology. Adverse events were assessed. RESULTS Of the 581 children, persistent wheeze was diagnosed during the first 3 years of life in 47 children (16%) in the vitamin D3 group and 57 children (20%) in the control group. Vitamin D3 supplementation was not associated with the risk of persistent wheeze, but the number of episodes of troublesome lung symptoms was reduced, and the airway immune profile was up-regulated (principal component analysis, P = .04). There was no effect on additional end points. Intrauterine death was observed in 1 fetus (<1%) in the vitamin D3 group vs 3 fetuses (1%) in the control group and congenital malformations in 17 neonates (5%) in the vitamin D3 group vs 23 neonates (8%) in the control group. [table: see text]. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The use of 2800 IU/d of vitamin D3 during the third trimester of pregnancy compared with 400 IU/d did not result in a statistically significant reduced risk of persistent wheeze in the offspring through age 3 years. However, interpretation of the study is limited by a wide CI that includes a clinically important protective effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00856947.
Expression Pattern, Regulation, and Biological Role of Runt Domain Transcription Factor, run, in Caenorhabditis elegans

ABSTRACT The Caenorhabditis elegans run gene encodes a Runt domain factor. Runx1, Runx2, and Runx3 are the three known mammalian homologs of run. Runx1, which plays an essential role in hematopoiesis, has been identified at the breakpoint of chromosome translocations that are responsible for human leukemia. Runx2 plays an essential role in osteogenesis, and inactivation of one allele of Runx2 is responsible for the human disease cleidocranial dysplasia. To understand the role of run in C. elegans, we used transgenic run::GFP reporter constructs and a double-stranded RNA-mediated interference method. The expression of run was detected as early as the bean stage exclusively in the nuclei of seam hypodermal cells and lasted until the L3 stage. At the larval stage, expression of run was additionally detected in intestinal cells. The regulatory elements responsible for the postembryonic hypodermal seam cells and intestinal cells were separately located within a 7.2-kb-long intron region. This is the first report demonstrating that an intron region is essential for stage-specific and cell type-specific expression of a C. elegans gene. RNA interference analysis targeting the run gene resulted in an early larva-lethal phenotype, with apparent malformation of the hypodermis and intestine. These results suggest that run is involved in the development of a functional hypodermis and gut in C. elegans. The highly conserved role of the Runt domain transcription factor in gut development during evolution from nematodes to mammals is discussed.
Complements and Substitutes: Strategies, Endowments, Human Capital, and the Market

This paper disputes the claim that efficiency requires complementarity between innate endowments and human capital investment. This entails that parents invest more in highly endowed children. In an elementary supply-demand model, both substitutes as well as complements can arise. Substitution is consistent with human capital investment in less innately-endowed progeny without invoking Rawlsian rules of allocation. The model is driven by the basic assumption that all parents want their children to achieve the highest status possible. We derive optimal human capital investments in an ideal environment, one that contains no obstruction to the expression of merit. Also, we begin to show how heterogeneous innate endowments affect the marginal cost conditions that yield substitution.
Notice of RetractionThe Effects of Subordinate-Supervisor Conscientiousness Fit on Organizational Commitment and Career Satisfaction

This study focused on the effects of subordinate-supervisor conscientiousness fit on organizational commitment and job satisfaction, and explored the mediator effect of trust in leadership between subordinate-supervisor conscientiousness fit and outcomes. The results showed that some specific dimensionalities of the subordinate-supervisor conscientiousness fit had significant positive influence to trust in leadership, organizational commitment, and career satisfaction. There are significant positive correlations between trust in leadership and organizational commitment, career satisfaction; and trust in leadership plays partial mediator role between independent variables and dependent variables. Implications of the results for theory and practice are discussed.
HIV Drug Resistance Among Children Initiating First-Line Antiretroviral Treatment in Uganda

Abstract Background: There are limited data on primary human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance (HIVDR) in pediatric populations. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of primary HIVDR and associated risk factors among children initiating first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda. Methods: At three Ugandan clinics, children (age <12 years) requiring ART were recruited between January 2010 and August 2011. Before starting ART, blood was collected for viral load and pol gene sequencing. Drug resistance mutations were determined using the 2010 International AIDS Society–USA mutation list. Risk factors for HIVDR were assessed with multivariate regression analysis. Results: Three hundred nineteen HIV-infected children with a median age of 4.9 years were enrolled. Sequencing was successful in 279 children (87.5%). HIVDR was present in 10% of all children and 15.2% of children <3 years. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-NRTI (NNRTI), and dual-class resistance was present in 5.7%, 7.5%, and 3.2%, respectively. HIVDR occurred in 35.7% of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT)–exposed children, 15.6% in children with unknown PMTCT history, and 7.7% among antiretroviral-naive children. History of PMTCT exposure [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.6, 95% CI: 1.3–5.1] or unknown PMTCT status (AOR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.1–13.5), low CD4 (AOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.6), current breastfeeding (AOR: 7.4, 95% CI: 2.6–21), and current maternal ART use (AOR: 6.4, 95% CI: 3.4–11.9) emerged as risk factors for primary HIVDR in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Pretreatment HIVDR is high, especially in children with PMTCT exposure. Protease inhibitor (PI)–based regimens are advocated by the World Health Organization, but availability in children is limited. Children with (unknown) PMTCT exposure, low CD4 count, current breastfeeding, or maternal ART need to be prioritized to receive PI-based regimens.
Biosimilar recombinant follicle stimulating hormones in infertility treatment

Introduction: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone essential for reproduction both in females and males and it is physiologically produced by the anterior pituitary gland in several isoforms. This heterogeneity is typical also of FSH-containing compounds, both urinary-derived and recombinant products. These compounds are widely used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), to induce multifollicular development. Recently, the increased cost pressure on healthcare systems and the patent expiration date of widely used biotechnology-derived, recombinant FSH, prompted the pharmaceutical interest in FSH biosimilars. Areas covered: In 2014, two FSH biosimilars obtained marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency. Here, we review the biology of natural, extractive and recombinant FSH, the current state of biosimilar FSH, including the legal framework, and aspects to be considered in biosimilar FSH usage. Literature search methodologies included Medline and PubMed research. Expert opinion: Biosimilar FSH preparations are expected to be biologically and clinically ‘non inferior’ to the originator product. However, the impact of FSH biosimilars on cost and outcomes of ART is far from being established, since insufficient information is available to demonstrate the pros and cons in the long-term application.
Detection by ELISA of IgA and IgM antibodies in secretion and IgM antibodies in serum in primary lower respiratory syncytial virus infection

Twenty‐six infants and children with primary lower RS virus infection, diagnosed by the detection of RS virus in nasopharyngeal secretion (NPS) by use of immunofluorescent antibody (FA) technique, were studied with respect to the presence of IgA and IgM antibodies. Samples of NPS and serum obtained during the first 3–4 months following the beginning of illness, were investigated. Employing a reverse ELISA technique, we found IgM antibodies in the acute, but not during the convalescent, phase of illness in NPS from 20 of the patients and in serum from 21 of the patients. The majority of the IgM antibody conversions observed occurred in NPS as well as in serum on days 5–8 following the illness. RS virus IgA antibodies, also detected by a reverse ELISA technique, were demonstrated in NPS in 22 of the patients, with antibody conversions being found in 19 of the patients on days 5–8 following the beginning of the illness. Two patients still had IgA antibodies in NPS approximately 3 months FSOI. By comparison, RS virus was detected in acute‐phase NPS by double‐antibody sandwich ELISA in 25 of the 26 patients investigated.
Group A streptococcal infections and tic disorders in an Italian pediatric population.

BACKGROUND The relationship between childhood tic disorders and group A streptococcal (GAS) infections has been recently investigated by several research groups, but no systematic evaluation of laboratory indicators of GAS infections has been provided. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to seek clinical and laboratory evidence of GAS infections in a large population of children affected with tic disorders. STUDY DESIGN This investigation was a case-control study: 150 consecutive children presenting with tics were investigated for clinical and laboratory signs of streptococcal infections on the occasion of their first neuropsychiatric consultation. To compare the rate of exposition to GAS in a similar population, a control group of 150 children without tic disorders was examined during the same period. RESULTS In children with tics, mean antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer (434 +/- 338 IU) was significantly higher compared with that of control subjects (155 +/- 126 IU); 38% of the children with tics compared with 2% of the control subjects (P <.001) had ASO titers > or =500 IU. Twenty-six children with tics (17%) had throat cultures positive for GAS, but in all cases, only few colonies per plate were isolated. Among the strains isolated, no prevalent T pattern or M type was observed. In children with tics a positive correlation between ASO titers and severity of tic disorder (measured by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) was found. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that children with tic disorder could be a unique population in which GAS infection, or at least the exposure to streptococcal antigens, is correlated to the neurobehavioral disorder. Moreover, our data indicate a relationship between the severity of tic disorder and the magnitude of the serologic response to GAS antigens.
Diet and muscle glycogen concentration in relation to physical performance in Swedish elite ice hockey players.

The effects of carbohydrate (CHO) loading on physical characteristics including muscle fiber distribution, muscle glycogen concentration, and physical performance were studied in two top Swedish ice hockey teams. Players were randomly allocated to two groups: those consuming a CHO-enriched diet (CHO group) and those consuming a mixed diet (controls). Biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were taken three times: after Game 1, before Game 2, and after Game 2. Muscle fiber distribution averaged 50 +/- 2% slow twitch fibers (mean +/- 1 SEM). Muscle glycogen concentrations (measured in mmol glucose units . kg-1 wet muscle) were as follows: after Game 1, 43 +/- 4 (all players); before Game 2, 99 +/- 7 (CHO group) and 81 +/- 7 (controls); and after Game 2, 46 +/- 6 (CHO group) and 44 +/- 5 (controls). Distance skated, number of shifts skated, amount of time skated within shifts, and skating speed improved with CHO loading. It was concluded that individual differences in performance could be related to muscle glycogen metabolism.
Exclusion of Saccharomyces kudriavzevii from a wine model system mediated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This study investigated the competition and potential hybrid generation between the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. kudriavzevii in a wine‐model environment. Our main goal was to understand why S. kudriavzevii has not been found in wine fermentations whilst their hybrids are present. Auxotrophic mutants (Ura− and Lys−) were used to favour the selection of hybrids and to specifically differentiate the two species in mixed fermentations carried out at different temperatures (17 °C, 24 °C and 31 °C). Both yeasts showed a reduction in their maximum specific growth rates in mixed fermentations, indicating a clear antagonistic effect between the two microorganisms. Temperature played an important role in this competition. In this way, S. kudriavzevii was less affected at 17 °C, but S. cerevisiae was clearly the best competitor at 31 °C, preventing the growth of S. kudriavzevii. Population levels of S. kudriavzevii always significantly decreased in the presence of S. cerevisiae. Ethanol was measured throughout the fermentations and in all cases S. kudriavzevii growth was arrested when ethanol levels were < 5 g/l, indicating that this compound did not influence the competitive exclusion of S. kudriavzevii. Killer factors were also discarded due to the K− R− phenotype of both strains. Finally, no prototrophic interspecific hybrids were isolated in small‐scale fermentations at any temperature assayed. Our results show that the lack of competitiveness exhibited by S. kudriavzevii, especially at high temperatures, explains the absence of this species in wine fermentations, suggesting that natural S. cerevisiae × S. kudriavzevii hybrids most likely originated in wild environments rather than in industrial fermentations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyploidy of myocyte nuclei in pressure overloaded human hearts: a flow cytometric study in left and right ventricular myocardium.

Increased heart weight is known to be associated with polyploidy of myocardial nuclei. However, the relation between polyploidy and myocardial hypertrophy at a cellular level, i.e. myocyte hypertrophy, has not yet been investigated. The present study was conducted to reveal this relation in different regions in the heart using two recently developed techniques, i.e. flow cytometry to measure polyploidy and microscopic morphometry to measure myocyte dimensions in fixed tissue sections. We investigated the effect of pressure overload induced hypertrophy in subendocardial and subepicardial regions of 43 human left ventricles and transmural samples from 47 human right ventricles. In all regions the degree of polyploidy correlated well with myocyte volume indexed for body surface area. At equal extent of myocyte hypertrophy, the degree of polyploidy was higher in left ventricular samples than in right ventricular samples. In conclusion, pressure overload induced myocyte hypertrophy is associated with polyploidy, which is more pronounced in the left ventricle than in the right ventricle.
Targeting Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Stroke Based on Risk of Intracranial Hemorrhage or Poor Functional Outcome: An Analysis of the Third International Stroke Trial

Background and Purpose— Intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA), despite a risk of early symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), is of net clinical benefit to acute stroke patients. We tested if predictive models could identify patients least likely to be harmed by sICH or those who gained no net benefit. Methods— We used the Third International Stroke Trial (IST-3) trial data set, an international, multicenter, open treatment randomized trial of 0.9 mg/kg r-tPA versus control in 3035 patients with acute ischemic stroke. We compared the discrimination and calibration of previously developed predictive models for ICH and poststroke poor outcome and developed a new model using variables selected by systematic review. We calculated the absolute and relative risk reduction of death or dependency with r-tPA in patients at a low, medium, or high predicted risk of sICH or poor functional outcome. Results— Prediction models for sICH or poor outcome (Hemorrhage After Thrombolysis [HAT]; Sugar, Early Infarct Signs, Dense Artery, Age, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Score (SEDAN); Glucose Race Age Sex Pressure Stroke Severity [GRASPS]; Stroke Thrombolytic Predictive Instrument; Dense Artery, Rankin Score, Age, Glucose, Onset to Treatment Time, NIHSS [DRAGON]; Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events [THRIVE]; our new model; and a model with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and age) had similar area under receiver operator characteristic curves (AUROCC) to predict sICH (P for difference >0.05). The simplest model (with covariates National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and age) predicted both sICH (AUROCC, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.58–0.68) and poststroke poor functional outcome (AUROCC, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.77–0.82) similarly to complex models. There was no evidence that the effect of r-tPA in patients at high predicted risk of sICH or poor functional outcome after stroke was less than in those at lower risk. Conclusions— There is a clinically relevant net positive effect of r-tPA in patients with acute stroke at a high predicted risk of sICH or poor functional outcome. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN25765518.
Secondary vestibular cholinergic projection to the cerebellum of rabbit and rat as revealed by choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry, retrograde and orthograde tracers

Previously we have shown that four regions of the cerebellum, the uvula‐nodulus, flocculus, ventral paraflocculus, and anterior lobe 1, receive extensive, but not exclusive, cholinergic mossy fiber projections. In the present experiment we have studied the origin of three of these projections in the rat and rabbit (uvula‐nodulus, flocculus, ventral paraflocculus), using choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry in combination with a double label, retrogradely transported horseradish peroxidase (HRP).