Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and follow‐up of joint lesions in patients with haemophilia

Haematomas and recurrent haemarthroses are a common problem in haemophilia patients from early age. Early diagnosis is critical in preventing haemophilic arthritis, and recent years have seen excellent advances in musculoskeletal ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in soft tissue lesions. In this study, we compared the results of ultrasound imaging for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries in haemophilia patients with scores obtained using magnetic resonance (MRI) scans. A total of 61 haemophilia patients aged 4–82 years were included in this study. Both knees and ankles of each patient were assessed using the Gilbert (clinical assessment) and Pettersson scores (X‐ray assessment). Patients with severe haemophilia (n = 30) were examined using ultrasound and MRI (Denver scoring system). Results obtained with ultrasound and MRI in severe patients were correlated using the Pearson test. In patients with severe haemophilia, normal joints were similarly assessed with MRI and ultrasound (κ = 1.000). By component of joint assessment, haemarthrosis was similarly diagnosed with both techniques in all joints (κ = 1.000). A good positive correlation was found between these techniques in detecting and locating synovial hyperplasia (κ = 0.839–1.000, knees and ankles respectively), and erosion of margins (κ = 0.850–1.000). The presence of bone cysts or cartilage loss was better detected with MRI (κ = 0.643–0.552 for knees and ankles, and κ = 0.643–0.462 respectively). Ultrasound is useful in detecting joint bleeds, synovial hyperplasia and joint erosions, with results comparable to those of MRI. A quick and affordable technique, ultrasound imaging may be useful for monitoring joint bleeds and structure normalization and maintenance in routine practice.
Modulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) expression on the human mast‐cell line (HMC)‐1 by inflammatory mediators

The effect of inflammatory mediators on the expression of several surface adhesion molecules on the human mast‐cell line (HMC)‐1 was studied. By flow cytometry, it could be shown that among several surface adhesion molecules (ICAM‐UCDS4, VLA‐4/CD49d, Mac‐UCD11b, LFA‐1/CD11a, LFA‐2/CD2, LFA‐3/CDS8, VCAM‐1), only the constitutively expressed immunoglobulin family member intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) is modulated by proinflammatory cytokines on HMC‐1 mast cells. Stimulation with tumor necrosis factor‐a (TNF‐α) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) resulted, in addition to interleukin‐(lL‐)4, in selective upregulation of ICAM‐1 expression. Costimulation of either IL‐4 or IFN‐γ with TNF‐α further increased the ICAM‐1 expression as compared to the stimuli alone. In contrast, stem‐cell factor (SCF), granulocyte/macrophage colonystimulating factor (GM‐CSF), IL‐10, IL‐8, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), and the complement split product C5a failed to modulate the expression of any adhesion molecule examined. The levels of cytoplasmic free calcium in HMC‐1 mast cells were not altered by cross‐linking surface ICAM‐1, suggesting linkage of other intracellular signaling pathways. This cytokine‐induced upregulation of ICAM‐1 expression might reveal a putative regulatory mechanism of mast‐cell interaction with effector cells bearing the counterparts of ICAM‐1 (CD54), the molecules Mac‐1 (CD11b/CD18) and leukosialin (CD43), and the principal ligand LFA‐1 (CD11a/CD18).
Performance, Diversity and National Identity Evidence from Association Football

The increasing national diversity of co-workers has no consensus on its impact on performance. Using a team’s predominant nationality as proxy for national diversity and national identity, there is robust evidence that it affects performance. Detailed worker-level data from a highly globalized industry, association football, shows a non-linear relationship between performance and the predominant nationality of a team’s roster. As the number of members from the predominant nationality increase, performance declines. However, beyond a threshold level, performance rises. It implies that performance benefits from national diversity when the predominant nationality is small and from national identity when it is large.
Is There a Distinct Form of Developmental Dyslexia in Children With Specific Language Impairment?: Findings From an Orthographically Regular Language

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify quantitative and qualitative differences between the reading and writing skills of children with developmental dyslexia and those of dyslexic children with a specific language impairment (SLI). BackgroundIt is suggested that although the etiology of developmental dyslexia and SLI may be diverse, dyslexic children with SLI and their language-intact peers are comparable on a behavioral level. MethodsThree groups of second-grade children were compared on reading and writing tests with single words and nonwords: 15 dyslexic children with a history of SLI (SLI group), 15 dyslexic children with a typical pattern of language development (non-SLI group), and a control group of 30 children with no clinical history of learning disabilities or communication disorders. ResultsAnalysis of the results revealed the performances of both SLI and non-SLI dyslexic groups to be comparable in terms of speed, accuracy, and error typology. ConclusionsThis study confirms that there are parallels between dyslexic children with language disorders and their dyslexic peers with intact language skills, at least in terms of their performance on reading and writing tests.
Atropine and Glycopyrrolate: Hemodynamic Effects and Placental Transfer in the Pregnant Ewe

Atropine administration in pregnant women may cause fetal tachycardia and a decrease in beat-to-beat variability of the fetal heart rate. In the present study, placental transfer and maternal and fetal hemodynamic effects of atropine and glycopyrrolate were compared in chronically and in acutely instrumented, unanesthetized pregnant ewes. Administration of either atropine (0.05 mg/kg) or glycopyrrolate (0.025 mg/kg) increased maternal heart rate by 25% without changing maternal arterial pressure, fetal arterial pressure, fetal heart rate, or beat-to-beat variability. Maternal and fetal blood gas tensions also did not change. Placental transfer of atropine was significantly greater than that of glycopyrrolate throughout the entire experimental period. The peak fetal/maternal ratios observed 4 hours after injection were 1.0 for atropine and 0.13 for glycopyrrolate. On the basis of placental transfer data only, it is possible to postulate that the use of glycopyrrolate may be preferable to atropine. However, in view of the absence of circulatory effects in the fetal lamb after either atropine or glycopyrrolate, it was concluded that neither agent is preferable to the other insofar as fetal effects are concerned during ovine pregnancy. Whether these conclusions can be applied to human pregnancy remains to be determined.
Effects of bisphosphonate on bone reaction after placement of titanium implants in tibiae of ovariectomized rats.

PURPOSE This study was undertaken to investigate the action of bisphosphonate on bone reactions after the placement of titanium screw implants into the tibiae of ovariectomized rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 18 animals each. The first group (Sham) was sham-operated, the second group (OVX) was ovariectomized only, the third group (Estrogen) was ovariectomized and received continuous estrogen with a 17beta-estradiol pellet, and the fourth group (YM-175) was ovariectomized and received bisphosphonate at a dose of 10 microg/kg of body weight. Titanium screw implants were placed in the proximal metaphyses of the tibiae 168 days after surgery. The animals were sacrificed 7, 14, and 56 days after implant placement. Undecalcified sections were prepared and evaluated by light microscopy. Histomorphometric measurements were obtained with a computer-based image analyzer to quantify the unit bone mass around the implant and the rate of implant-bone contact. RESULTS Ovariectomies significantly reduced implant-bone contact and the bone volume around the implants. However, in the YM-175 group, only slight differences in both bone contact and bone volume were noted compared with the Sham and Estrogen group. The woven structure of new bone in the YM-175 group was also replaced by mature lamellar bone, as in the other groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These results suggested that bisphosphonate preserved the implant-bone contact and bone volume around the implants.
The Role of PDE3B Phosphorylation in the Inhibition of Lipolysis by Insulin

ABSTRACT Inhibition of adipocyte lipolysis by insulin is important for whole-body energy homeostasis; its disruption has been implicated as contributing to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The main target of the antilipolytic action of insulin is believed to be phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B), whose phosphorylation by Akt leads to accelerated degradation of the prolipolytic second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP). To test this hypothesis genetically, brown adipocytes lacking PDE3B were examined for their regulation of lipolysis. In Pde3b knockout (KO) adipocytes, insulin was unable to suppress β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated glycerol release. Reexpressing wild-type PDE3B in KO adipocytes fully rescued the action of insulin against lipolysis. Surprisingly, a mutant form of PDE3B that ablates the major Akt phosphorylation site, murine S273, also restored the ability of insulin to suppress lipolysis. Taken together, these data suggest that phosphorylation of PDE3B by Akt is not required for insulin to suppress adipocyte lipolysis.
Resolvin D1 attenuates activation of sensory transient receptor potential channels leading to multiple anti‐nociception

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Temperature‐sensitive transient receptor potential ion channels (thermoTRPs) expressed in primary sensory neurons and skin keratinocytes play a crucial role as peripheral pain detectors. Many natural and synthetic ligands have been found to act on thermoTRPs, but little is known about endogenous compounds that inhibit these TRPs. Here, we asked whether resolvin D1 (RvD1), a naturally occurring anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolving lipid molecule is able to affect the TRP channel activation.
WRKY42 Modulates Phosphate Homeostasis through Regulating Phosphate Translocation and Acquisition in Arabidopsis1[OPEN]

An Arabidopsis transcription factor modulates phosphate homeostasis by regulating phosphate uptake and translocation. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) WRKY transcription factor family has more than 70 members, and some of them have been reported to play important roles in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study shows that WRKY42 regulated phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis. The WRKY42-overexpressing lines, similar to the phosphate1 (pho1) mutant, were more sensitive to low-inorganic phosphate (Pi) stress and had lower shoot Pi content compared with wild-type plants. The PHO1 expression was repressed in WRKY42-overexpressing lines and enhanced in the wrky42 wrky6 double mutant. The WRKY42 protein bound to the PHO1 promoter under Pi-sufficient condition, and this binding was abrogated during Pi starvation. These data indicate that WRKY42 modulated Pi translocation by regulating PHO1 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of WRKY42 increased root Pi content and Pi uptake, whereas the wrky42 mutant had lower root Pi content and Pi uptake rate compared with wild-type plants. Under Pi-sufficient condition, WRKY42 positively regulated PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER1;1 (PHT1;1) expression by binding to the PHT1;1 promoter, and this binding was abolished by low-Pi stress. During Pi starvation, the WRKY42 protein was degraded through the 26S proteasome pathway. Our results showed that AtWRKY42 modulated Pi homeostasis by regulating the expression of PHO1 and PHT1;1 to adapt to environmental changes in Pi availability.
Migration Policies of the Czech and Slovak Republics Since 1989 – Restrictive, Liberal, Integrative or Circular?

The author compares the migration policies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1993, including both immigration as well as integration. The text focuses mainly on the autochthonous policies of both countries in regards to labor migration as the main type of migration. Significant immigration is a recent phenomenon in both the Czech Republic as well as Slovakia and neither immigration, nor integration policy belong among the priorities of either state. The Czech Republic seems to be more mature in adopting regulations for better access of foreigners to the labor market. However, when comparing the Czech Republic with the rest of Europe, it belongs to the most restrictive countries in terms of integration as well as in terms of immigration. Given the extremely low ratio of non-EU born adults becoming Czech citizens, the Czech Republic will remain an exclusionary democracy unless it changes either the voting rights or increases the naturalization rates by reducing the conditions for foreigners. Quite interestingly, even though Slovakia lags behind the Czech Republic in terms of integration policies and naturalization rates, it is more inclusive in terms of political rights.
In vitro effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves on bovine spermatozoa motility

In this study the effects of 1800 MHz GSM–like radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF–EMW) exposure on bovine semen was monitored. The experimental samples were analyzed in vitro in four time periods (0, 30, 120 and 420 min) and compared with unexposed samples (control). Spermatozoa motility was determined by computer assisted semen analyzer (CASA). Evaluation of the percentage of motile spermatozoa showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease in experimental groups after 120 and 420 min of culture when exposed to microwaves, in comparison to control. Similar spermatozoa motility inhibition was detected for the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa, too. Average path distance decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in experimental groups after 30 and 420 min of culture. Path velocity increased in the experimental groups exposed to RF–EMW after 30 minutes of culture, but subsequently decreased after 420 min of culture, in comparison to control. This indicates a possible initial stimulation and subsequent velocity inhibition of bovine spermatozoa under RF–EMW exposure. Changes in spermatozoa motility were also detected for some fine parameters, too. A significant decrease (P < 0.001) was noted for amplitude of lateral head displacement in the experimental group after 420 minutes of culture. Detailed in vitro motility analysis of bovine spermatozoa exposed to microwave radiation suggested that the parameters of path and velocity at the beginning of the culture significantly increase, but after longer culture (420 minutes) a significant decrease occur in the experimental group as compared to control. In general, results of this experiment indicate a negative time–dependent effect of 1800 MHz RF–EMW radiation on bovine spermatozoa motility.
Inequality, Leverage and Crises: Theory and Evidence Revisited

Rajan points to rising income inequality as a root cause of the recent financial crisis through high household leverage. The Rajan hypothesis has ignited debate over the relationship between inequality, leverage and crises. Kumhof, Ranciere, and Winant prove the validity of this hypothesis with a theoretical formulation, but empirical studies provide mixed evidence using different samples and estimators. To clarify this controversy, we re‐examine the issue by using the same data as in the literature and provide additional evidence after taking into account the role of asset bubbles and policy interventions. Our regression is based on a new tractable theoretical model that is supported by key stylised facts, and all our analyses confirm the existence of the inequality–leverage–crisis nexus.
Structure and dynamics of a ribosome-bound nascent chain by NMR spectroscopy

Protein folding in living cells is inherently coupled to protein synthesis and chain elongation. There is considerable evidence that some nascent chains fold into their native structures in a cotranslational manner before release from the ribosome, but, despite its importance, a detailed description of such a process at the atomic level remains elusive. We show here at a residue-specific level that a nascent protein chain can reach its native tertiary structure on the ribosome. By generating translation-arrested ribosomes in which the newly synthesized polypeptide chain is selectively 13C/15N-labeled, we observe, using ultrafast NMR techniques, a large number of resonances of a ribosome-bound nascent chain complex corresponding to a pair of C-terminally truncated immunoglobulin (Ig) domains. Analysis of these spectra reveals that the nascent chain adopts a structure in which a native-like N-terminal Ig domain is tethered to the ribosome by a largely unfolded and highly flexible C-terminal domain. Selective broadening of resonances for a group of residues that are colocalized in the structure demonstrates that there are specific but transient interactions between the ribosome and the N-terminal region of the folded Ig domain. These findings represent a step toward a detailed structural understanding of the cellular processes of cotranslational folding.
Supporting Handoff in Asynchronous Collaborative Sensemaking Using Knowledge-Transfer Graphs

During asynchronous collaborative analysis, handoff of partial findings is challenging because externalizations produced by analysts may not adequately communicate their investigative process. To address this challenge, we developed techniques to automatically capture and help encode tacit aspects of the investigative process based on an analyst's interactions, and streamline explicit authoring of handoff annotations. We designed our techniques to mediate awareness of analysis coverage, support explicit communication of progress and uncertainty with annotation, and implicit communication through playback of investigation histories. To evaluate our techniques, we developed an interactive visual analysis system, KTGraph, that supports an asynchronous investigative document analysis task. We conducted a two-phase user study to characterize a set of handoff strategies and to compare investigative performance with and without our techniques. The results suggest that our techniques promote the use of more effective handoff strategies, help increase an awareness of prior investigative process and insights, as well as improve final investigative outcomes.
Impact of combination chemotherapy with itraconazole on survival for patients with recurrent or persistent ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Recurrent ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) rarely responds to cytotoxic agents. Itraconazole is a potent inhibitor of the P-glycoprotein efflux pump, angiogenesis, and the Hedgehog pathway. We evaluated the efficacy of chemotherapy with itraconazole for CCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Medical charts of patients with CCC who had received chemotherapy with itraconazole were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Among nine patients with CCC, five had a history of progression with paclitaxel and carboplatin, and none had received prior treatment with bevacizumab or other targeted therapy. Eight patients received docetaxel (35 mg/m(2), day 1) and carboplatin-based (area under the curve, 4 mg·min(-1)·mL(-1); day 1) chemotherapy with an oral itraconazole solution (400 mg, days -2 to 2), repeated every two weeks. The response rate, median progression-free survival and overall survival were 44% (95% confidence interval [(CI)=12-77%], 544 days (95% CI=82-544 days) and 1,047 days (95% CI=462-1332 days), respectively. CONCLUSION Chemotherapy with itraconazole is promising for patients with CCC.
Endostatin phenylalanines 31 and 34 define a receptor binding site

Endostatin has achieved much attention as a naturally occurring inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth. Endostatin is derived from collagen XVIII's C‐terminal domain and deleted or truncated in most patients suffering from Knobloch syndrome blindness. To evaluate the functional significance of two surface‐exposed hydrophobic phenylalanines at positions 31 and 34 of endostatin and two human sequence alterations within endostatin, A48T and D104N, we applied the alkaline phosphatase fusion protein method. Replacement of F31 and F34 with alanines led to complete loss of characteristic in situ binding while heparin binding remained intact. In contrast, a non‐heparin binding alkaline phosphatase‐tagged human endostatin lacking R27 and R139 bound to specific tissue structures. The two Knobloch syndrome‐associated endostatin sequence variants did not result in altered in situ binding to murine embryonal tissues, human endothelial cells, heparin and immobilized laminin. However, expression of the endostatin mutant A48T was significantly reduced. This observation may be explained by a lower folding efficiency due to the structural constraints of A48 residing in the hydrophobic core. Our data suggest that residues F31 and F34 form a putative receptor binding site acting independently from heparan sulfate binding and that the A48T mutation destabilizes the endostatin molecule.
Increased levels of glutathione in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with asthma.

Patients with asthma generate increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from peripheral blood cells and cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). ROS produce many of the pathophysiologic changes associated with asthma and may contribute to its pathogenesis. Although antioxidant defenses inhibit the changes produced by ROS, no data are available on local antioxidant defenses in asthma. The present study was designed to begin to explore these defenses by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and total glutathione (GSH) levels in BAL fluid from normal subjects and patients with mild asthma. Baseline pulmonary function and methacholine bronchoprovocation tests were performed on all subjects. BAL was achieved by instilling five 20-ml aliquots of phosphate-buffered saline in each of three lung segments. The fluids recovered from the first 20-ml aliquot and that from the next four aliquots were labeled bronchial and alveolar fluid, respectively. Patients with asthma had a lower FEV1 (p < 0.005), less BAL fluid recovered (p < 0.05), and an increased percentage of bronchial eosinophils (p < 0.05). There were no differences in BAL total cell count or protein concentration. Catalase activity was not consistently detected in the unconcentrated BAL fluid from either group. SOD activity was found in both bronchial and alveolar samples, but it was similar in the two groups of subjects. The GSH concentration in bronchial fluid was higher in the patients with asthma (23.9 +/- 6.2 vs 13.0 +/- 1.8 microM/mg protein; p < 0.05); a similar trend was seen in the alveolar fluid (36.5 +/- 9.4 vs 23.3 +/- 3.0 microM/mg protein). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)