Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A cluster of Rickettsia rickettsii infection at an animal shelter in an urban area of Brazil

SUMMARY Rickettsia rickettsii infection is being increasingly recognized as an important cause of fatal acute illness in Brazil, where this tick-borne disease is designated Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). In this study we report five fatal cases of BSF in employees of an animal shelter in an urban area in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil after a natural disaster on 11 January 2011. Four of the cases occurred from 27 January to 11 April 2011, while the fifth fatal case was identified in April 2012. Three cases were confirmed by molecular analysis and two by epidemiological linkage. An investigation of BSF was performed in the animal shelter, and blood samples were collected from 115 employees and 117 randomly selected dogs. The presence of high levels (1024–4096) of antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae was found in three (2·6%) employees and 114 (97·5%) dogs. These findings emphasize the need to consider BSF as a possible cause of undifferentiated febrile illness, especially dengue and leptospirosis, in patients occupationally exposed to dogs heavily infested by ticks, mainly working at kennels and animal shelters that have inadequate space for the animals housed and frequently providing an environment conducive to exposure to pathogens such as R. rickettsii.
Efficacy of FK463, a New Lipopeptide Antifungal Agent, in Mouse Models of Pulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT The efficacy of FK463, a novel water-soluble lipopeptide, was evaluated in mouse models of pulmonary aspergillosis and was compared with that of amphotericin B (AMPH-B). In the pulmonary aspergillosis models induced by intranasal inoculation, FK463 exhibited good efficacy, with 50% effective doses in the range of 0.26 to 0.51 mg/kg of body weight; these values were comparable to those of AMPH-B. In anAspergillus target organ assay with immunosuppressed mice, under conditions of constant plasma levels of FK463, using a subcutaneously implanted osmotic pressure pump, a significant reduction in viable fungal cells was observed at plasma FK463 levels of 0.55 to 0.80 μg/ml or higher. We conclude that FK463 is highly effective in the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in this animal model. These results indicate that FK463 may be a potent parenterally administered antifungal agent for pulmonary aspergillosis.
Mechanisms of target‐cell specific short‐term plasticity at Schaffer collateral synapses onto interneurones versus pyramidal cells in juvenile rats

Although it is presynaptic, short‐term plasticity has been shown at some synapses to depend upon the postsynaptic cell type. Previous studies have reported conflicting results as to whether Schaffer collateral axons have target‐cell specific short‐term plasticity. Here we investigate in detail the short‐term dynamics of Schaffer collateral excitatory synapses onto CA1 stratum radiatum interneurones versus pyramidal cells in acute hippocampal slices from juvenile rats. In response to three stimulus protocols that invoke different forms of short‐term plasticity, we find differences in some but not all forms of presynaptic short‐term plasticity, and heterogeneity in the short term plasticity of synapses onto interneurones. Excitatory synapses onto the majority of interneurones had less paired‐pulse facilitation than synapses onto pyramidal cells across a range of interpulse intervals (20–200 ms). Unlike synapses onto pyramidal cells, synapses onto most interneurones had very little facilitation in response to short high‐frequency trains of five pulses at 5, 10 and 20 Hz, and depressed during trains at 50 Hz. However, the amount of high‐frequency depression was not different between synapses onto pyramidal cells versus the majority of interneurones at steady state during 2–10 Hz trains. In addition, a small subset of interneurones (approximately 15%) had paired‐pulse depression rather than paired‐pulse facilitation, showed only depression in response to the high‐frequency five pulse trains, and had more steady‐state high‐frequency depression than synapses onto pyramidal cells or the majority of interneurones. To investigate possible mechanisms for these differences in short‐term plasticity, we developed a mechanistic mathematical model of neurotransmitter release that explicitly explores the contributions to different forms of short‐term plasticity of the readily releasable vesicle pool size, release probability per vesicle, calcium‐dependent facilitation, synapse inactivation following release, and calcium‐dependent recovery from inactivation. Our model fits the responses of each of the three cell groups to the three different stimulus protocols with only two parameters that differ with cell group. The model predicts that the differences in short‐term plasticity between synapses onto CA1 pyramidal cells and stratum radiatum interneurones are due to a higher initial release probability per vesicle and larger readily releasable vesicle pool size at synapses onto interneurones, resulting in a higher initial release probability. By measuring the rate of block of NMDA receptors by the open channel blocker MK‐801, we confirmed that the initial release probability is greater at synapses onto interneurones versus pyramidal cells. This provides a mechanism by which both the initial strength and the short‐term dynamics of Schaffer collateral excitatory synapses are regulated by their postsynaptic target cell.
An oocyte‐preferential histone mRNA stem‐loop‐binding protein like is expressed in several mammalian species

During early embryo development, chromatin packaging is sustained by histones of maternal origin. Most histone messenger RNAs are not polyadenylated, but rather end in an evolutionarily conserved stem‐loop that controls RNA processing, nucleocytoplasmic transport, stability, and translation via interactions with a specific protein named stem‐loop‐binding protein (SLBP). In mouse oocytes, mSLBP is synthesized abundantly during maturation and activates histone translation. In Xenopus, xSLBP is present in stage‐VI oocytes, but histone mRNA is protected from premature translation by the oocyte‐specific Xenopus SLBP2 (xSLBP2) protein; during maturation xSLBP2 replacement by xSLBP results in histone synthesis. Here, we report the first experimental evidence and characterization of a mammalian SLBP2 ortholog. Bovine bSLBP and bSLBP2 display distinct expression patterns throughout oocyte maturation and pre‐implantation embryo development. From the immature oocyte to the morula, bSLBP2 is concentrated in the nucleus, while it is homogeneously distributed throughout the cytoplasm in mature oocytes. A putative SLBP2 gene is conserved in the genome of several mammalian species, and the corresponding transcripts were detected in rat, dog, horse, and pig oocytes. By contrast, a pseudogene is found in mouse, human, and rabbit. Altogether, our data suggest that the availability of histones in oocytes is regulated by an alternative mechanism in bovine and other species as compared to mouse and frog. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79:380–391, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diabetes Mellitus, Admission Glucose, and Outcomes After Stroke Thrombolysis: A Registry and Systematic Review

Background and Purpose— The potential detrimental effect of diabetes mellitus and admission glucose level (AGL) on outcomes after stroke thrombolysis is unclear. We evaluated outcomes of patients treated by intravenous and/or intra-arterial therapy, according to diabetes mellitus and AGL. Methods— We analyzed data from a patient registry (n=704) and conducted a systematic review of previous observational studies. The primary study outcome was the percentage of patients who achieved a favorable outcome (modified Rankin score ⩽2 at 3 months). Results— We identified 54 previous reports that evaluated the effect of diabetes mellitus or AGL on outcomes after thrombolysis. In an unadjusted meta-analysis that included our registry data and previous available observational data, diabetes mellitus was associated with less favorable outcome (odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.79) and more symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.21–1.56). However, in multivariable analysis, diabetes mellitus remained associated with less favorable outcome (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69–0.87) but not with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.83–1.48). In unadjusted and in adjusted meta-analysis, higher AGL was associated with less favorable outcome and more symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage; the adjusted OR (95% CI) per 1 mmol/L increase in AGL was 0.92 (0.90–0.94) for favorable outcome, and 1.09 (1.04–1.14) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions— These results confirm that AGL and history of diabetes mellitus are associated with poor clinical outcome after thrombolysis. AGL may be a surrogate marker of brain infarction severity rather than a causal factor. However, randomized controlled evidences are needed to address the significance of a tight glucose control during thrombolysis on clinical outcome.
Corporate Investment and Hotel Firm Value: Does Corporate Governance Matter in Financially Constrained Firms?

Corporate investments are expected to create value for firms. Although some studies report evidence supporting such expectations, many studies document contradictory findings. However, it is not clear why corporate investments create value in some firms but reduce value in others. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which the quality of corporate governance and the degrees of financial constraints affect the relationship between corporate investments and hotel firm value in a unified model where both weak corporate governance and financial constraint problems are concurrently observed. Shareholders of poorly governed firms place a lower value on corporate investments compared with those of well-governed firms, whereas shareholders of financially constrained firms perceive corporate investments to be of greater value compared with those of unconstrained firms. The results further showed that CEOs of financially constrained firms make value-increasing investments despite poor corporate governance mechanisms. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed within the realm of corporate finance theories.
Safety of fleroxacin coadministered with theophylline to young and elderly volunteers

The influence of multiple doses of fleroxacin on the plasma clearance and the urinary excretion of theophylline was studied in 19 young and 18 elderly male volunteers. A theophylline dosage individualized to obtain a mean theophylline concentration in plasma of 10 +/- 3 micrograms/ml was administered for 1 week to each subject. At week 2, oral fleroxacin (400 mg once daily) was added. Theophylline concentrations in plasma were measured with TDx (Abbott Diagnostics, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), and urinary excretion of theophylline and its three major metabolites was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Total theophylline clearance remained essentially unchanged throughout the study period (3.5 and 2.9 liters/h in the young and the elderly, respectively) both after a single fleroxacin dose and after multiple doses. Although significant changes occurred in the urinary excretion of unchanged theophylline and its metabolites after a single fleroxacin dose, no changes were observed after multiple doses. Side effects consisted mainly of gastrointestinal and sleep disturbances, more related to theophylline; photosensitivity was observed in six subjects and was attributed to fleroxacin. We conclude that fleroxacin may be administered concomitantly with theophylline in either young or elderly patients. Close monitoring of theophylline concentrations in serum should be performed, particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for whom data are currently lacking.
Testing a mediation model of psychotherapy process and outcome in psychodynamic psychotherapy: Previous client distress, psychodynamic techniques, dyadic working alliance, and current client distress

Abstract To test a sequential model of psychotherapy process and outcome, we included previous client distress, therapist psychodynamic techniques, dyadic working alliance, and current client distress. For 114 sets of eight-session segments in 40 cases of psychodynamic psychotherapy, clients completed the Outcome Questionnaire-45 and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32 after the first and final session, judges reliably coded one middle sessions on the Psychodynamic subscale of the Multitheoretical List of Therapeutic Interventions, and clients and therapists completed the Working Alliance Inventory after every session. Results indicated that higher use of psychodynamic techniques was associated with higher levels of the working alliance, which in turn was associated decreased client distress; and working alliance was higher later in psychotherapy. There was a significant indirect effect of psychodynamic techniques on decreases in distress mediated by the working alliance. Implications for theory, practice, and research are provided. Clinical or methodological significance of this article: Conducted a longitudinal, latent variable examination of the relationships of psychodynamic techniques and working alliance on client distress. Psychodynamic techniques have an indirect effect on decreases in client distress through the dyadic working alliance.
Termites of the State: Why Complexity Leads to Inequality

In Termites of the State, renowned public economist Vito Tanzi presents a sweeping account of the industrialized world's economic development during the twentieth century to today. In the tradition of grand economic histories, Tanzi connects the biggest issues of the modern world including extreme gaps in income distribution, increasing complexity of government actions and regulations, and asymmetry of access to information and to political influence between the elite and the rest of society. Part one covers the growth of state intervention since the early twentieth century - a time before income taxes, central banks or social welfare programs. Part two investigates how and why laws and regulations have expanded in industrialized economies. Part three, building from this foundation, explains the forces behind the precipitous rise in global inequality. With a talent for clear, non-technical writing, Tanzi has produced an important book that will be of interest to any instructor, student, or general reader of economics and public policy.
What do patients and relatives know about problems and failures in care?

Objective To understand what patients and family members know about problems and failures in healthcare. Design Qualitative, semistructured open-ended interviews were conducted with 39 patients and 80 family members about their experiences of incidents in tertiary healthcare. Nineteen interviews involved more than one respondent, yielding 100 interviews in total. Participants were recruited through advertisements in the national broadsheet and tabloid print media (43%), with the help of the health services where the incidents occurred (28%), through invitations sent out by two internet marketing companies (27%) and by consumer organisations (2%). Setting Interviews were conducted in the homes of the respondents or over the phone. One participant emailed her responses to the questionnaire. Results Analysis of the interview data revealed: (1) considerable knowledge on the part of patients and relatives about health service risks, problems and incidents; (2) the insight of interviewees into care improvement opportunities; and (3) challenges faced by patients and relatives when trying to negotiate their knowledge and insights with health service staff. Conclusion Patients (and family members) need access to structured processes ensuring dialogue with health service personnel about perceived risks, problems and incidents. Such dialogue would reveal patients' and family members' questions and knowledge about improvement opportunities, and minimise the risk that their questions and knowledge are ignored.
Accounting Information Value Relevance of Dual-listing Company

We study the value relevance of accounting earning information of dual-listing companies. We find that the accounting earning information according to HK-GAAP (or IASs) is useful for H share, the investors in A share markets prefer unexpected EPS to EPS, the financial statements based on HK-GAAP(or IASs) also provides useful information to the investors in A share markets, the investors in H share markets make their decisions mainly depending on HK-GAAP (or IASs)'s information. Therefore, dual-listing companies should provide accounting information based on HK-GAAP (or IASs) to overseas' investors. From the view of the information transmission, the segmentation between mainland and Hong Kong capital markets is distinct.
Toxoplasmosis in dogs: first report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in any animal species in Angola

Abstract Despite the worldwide importance of zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, nothing is known of toxoplasmosis in animals in Angola. The present study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence and also at assessing correlates of T. gondii infection in pet dogs from Luanda, Angola. Dogs (n = 103) brought to a veterinary clinic in the city of Luanda were investigated. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to T. gondii with a modified agglutination test (MAT) commercial kit, at serial dilutions of 1∶20 to 1∶160. In accordance with the established cutoff value (MAT ≧20), 16 dogs [15·5%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 9·2–24·0%] had antibodies to T. gondii: 10 had a titer of 20, two had a titer of 40, and four had a titer of 80. Age (≧12 months) was found to be a risk factor for infection [odds ratio (OR) = 9·23; 95% CI: 1·16–73·27). For each 1-year increase in age, the risk of a dog being found seropositive significantly increased by an OR of 1·18 (95% CI: 1·02–1·36). The present study, which represents the first serological survey of T. gondii in any animal species from Angola, reveals a 15·5% seroprevalence of infection in pet dogs in Luanda. Further studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology of zoonotic T. gondii infection in Luanda and also in Angola.
Ectodermal Abnormalities in Patients with Kabuki Syndrome

Abstract: Kabuki syndrome (KS) is extensively described in the literature and characterized by a typical facial gestalt in combination with postnatal short stature, hypotonia, joint laxity, developmental delay, persistent fetal fingertip pads, and an ever‐growing group of congenital abnormalities. In this study, we focus on some ectodermal manifestations that we have observed. We studied seven patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for KS and undertook a detailed clinical, dental, cytogenetic, and immunoglobulin assessments. In addition, microscopic hair examinations were performed on all patients and compared with matched control patients. All patients had receding of the anterior hair line, but five had evident sparse frontal scalp hair. They all showed peculiar similar microscopic hair abnormalities in the form of twisting of the hair shafts, irregularity of the diameter of the hair, and trichorrhexis nodosa. In addition, hypoplastic nails, café‐au‐lait patches, and missing upper lateral incisors were observed in 57.1%, 28.6%, and 14.3% of the patients, respectively. Variable orodental anomalies were seen in all the patients with an everted lower lip found in four patients (57.1%). This report provides further evidence that some cases of KS have ectodermal involvement.
An Exploratory Analysis of Features of New Orleans Charter Schools Associated with Student Achievement Growth. REL 2018-287.

Exploratory analyses showed that school-level student achievement growth during the 2012/13 school year in New Orleans open-enrollment public charter schools was positively associated with having: • Kindergarten as an entry grade. • An extended school year. • More experienced teachers. It was negatively associated with having: • A higher percentage of teachers with a graduate degree. • A higher student–teacher ratio. • More student supports offered.
Muscle strength of the lumbar spine in different sports.

BACKGROUND The ability to stabilize the body center (core stability) against dynamic movements of the extremities and capability to absorb repetitive loading forces in the trunk play a crucial role in any professional sport specific performance. OBJECTIVE The aim our cross sectional level of evidence 3 study was to determine, if athletes of different sport disciplines showed specific trunk strength profiles and if these were different from a control group. METHODS 20 ironman triathletes, 18 amateur volleyball and 18 amateur soccer players were tested for their individual isometric strength of the lumbar spine in three planes of motion using a standartized test device. RESULTS The test profile revealed similar strength parameters for extension and lateral flexion to the left in each of the 3 study groups tested. The lateral flexion to the right was significantly stronger than in the control group (soccer > volleyball > triathlon). In all 3 groups, weaknesses were found in the abdominal musculature, showing highly significant differences in flexion and bilateral rotation compared to the control group (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that sports specific training for triathlon, as well as the team sports soccer and volleyball, does not lead to balanced trunk musculature and core stability. In consequence predisposing injury and muscle dysbalane can trigger pain syndromes.
Anthrax Lethal Toxin Enhances IκB Kinase Activation and Differentially Regulates Pro-inflammatory Genes in Human Endothelium*

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) was previously shown to enhance transcriptional activity of NF-κB in tumor necrosis factor-α-activated primary human endothelial cells. Here we show that this LT-mediated increase in NF-κB activation is associated with the enhanced degradation of the inhibitory proteins IκBα and IκBβ but not IκBϵ. Moreover, this was accompanied by enhanced activation of the IκB kinase complex (IKK), which is responsible for targeting IκB proteins for degradation. Importantly, LT enhancement of IκBα degradation was completely blocked by a selective IKKβ inhibitor, whereas IκBβ degradation was attenuated, suggesting a mechanistic link. Consistent with the above data, LT-cotreated cells show elevated phosphorylation of two IKK substrates, IκBα and p65, both of which were blocked by incubation with the IKKβ inhibitor. Consistent with NF-κB activation, LT increased transcription of the NF-κB regulated gene CD40. Conversely, LT inhibited transcription of another NF-κB-regulated gene, CCL2. This inhibition was linked to the LT-mediated suppression of another CCL2-regulating transcription factor, AP-1 (activator protein-1). These data suggest that LT-mediated enhancement of NF-κB is IKK-dependent, but importantly, the net effect of LT on the transcription of proinflammatory genes is driven by the cumulative effect of LT on the particular set of transcription factors that regulate a given promoter. Together, these findings provide new mechanistic insight on how LT may disrupt the host response to anthrax.