Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Putative Virulence Genes in Streptococcus mutans Strains Does Not Correlate with Caries Experience

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans, a member of the human oral flora, is a widely recognized etiological agent of dental caries. The cariogenic potential of S. mutans is related to its ability to metabolize a wide variety of sugars, form a robust biofilm, produce copious amounts of lactic acid, and thrive in the acid environment that it generates. The remarkable genetic variability present within the species is reflected at the phenotypic level, notably in the differences in the cariogenic potential between strains. However, the genetic basis of these differences is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we surveyed by PCR and DNA hybridization the distribution of putative virulence genes, genomic islands, and insertion sequences across a collection of 33 strains isolated from either children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) or those who were caries free (CF). We found this genetically diverse group of isolates to be remarkably homogeneous with regard to the distribution of the putative virulence genes and genetic elements analyzed. Our findings point to the role of other factors in the pathogenesis of S-ECC, such as uncharacterized virulence genes, differences in gene expression and/or enzymatic activity, cooperation between S. mutans strains or with other members of the oral biota, and host factors.
Deficiency of oncoretrovirally transduced hematopoietic stem cells and correction through ex vivo expansion

Extensive efforts to develop hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) based gene therapy have been hampered by low gene marking. Major emphasis has so far been directed at improving gene transfer efficiency, but low gene marking in transplanted recipients might equally well reflect compromised repopulating activity of transduced cells, competing for reconstitution with endogenous and unmanipulated stem cells.
Value Effects of Fire Sales : Why are Biased CEOs Immune ? ∗

We develop a simple model of market-learning in the aftermath of a “fire sale,” and test its implications. Our model is based on the notion of market-feedback in which investors such as mutual funds gather information about a firm’s potential investment opportunities. This information finds its way into stock prices and helps firms to decide on whether to engage in new investments. The incentive for mutual funds to produce information comes from two potential sources of profits: “trading” profits and capital gains on portfolio “holding”. We show that fire sales can disrupt the incentive to produce information, especially by reducing profits on portfolio holdings. Further, we show that unbiased (or rational) firm managers tend to rely to a greater extent on market-produced information, and are more likely to be affected by the information disruption caused by fire-sales. Rational managers are more likely to cutback on their investments and suffer a drop in firm value. On the other hand, an overconfident (OC) CEO with positively biased beliefs is inherently less dependent on market feedback and is less affected by a fire sale. Our empirical findings strongly support the testable implications of our model. We find a monotonic relationship between level of overconfidence and investment-Q sensitivity. A striking finding is that firms headed by OC CEOs suffer little drop in firm value following a fire sale vis-á-vis firms headed by non-OC CEOs. JEL Classification Code: G23, G32, G34 Keyword: Fire sale, Market feedback, Mutual funds, CEO overconfidence, Quality of Investment ∗We acknowledge the thoughtful comments of Mark Humphery-Jenner. We thank the seminar participants at University of Wyoming. Suman Banerjee gratefully acknowledges SER Research Grant from the University of Wyoming. †College of Business, University of Wyoming. Tel: 307-766-2155. Email: sbanerj1@uwyo.edu ‡Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas; Tel: 404-769-4368. E-mail: vikram.nanda@utdallas.edu §Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas; Tel: 972-883-5056. E-mail: steven.xiao@utdallas.edu
Use of the ultrathin choledochoscope in cholecystectomy

Use of the ultrathin choledochoscope (2 mm) was evaluated in 80 patients undergoing routine cholecystectomy. It was used successfully in 67 (84 per cent) patients. There were eight (12 per cent) explorations of the common bile duct and no negative explorations. The instrument was helpful in determining the nature of an equivocal on‐table cholangiogram. The ultrathin choledochoscope may be useful in reducing the rate of negativecommon bile duct exploration.
Analytical and Simulation Modelling of Zoned RAID Systems

RAID systems are ubiquitously deployed in storage environments, both as standalone storage solutions and as fundamental components of virtualized storage platforms. Accurate models of their performance are crucial to delivering storage infrastructures that meet given quality of service requirements. To this end, this paper presents a flexible fork-join queueing simulation model of RAID systems that are composed of zoned disk drives and which operate under RAID levels 01 or 5. The simulator takes as input I/O workloads that are heterogeneous in terms of request size and that exhibit burstiness, and its primary output metric is I/O request response time distribution. We also study the effects of heavy workload, taking into account the request-reordering optimizations employed by modern disk drives. All simulation results are validated against device measurements and compared with existing analytical queueing network models for the development of the models.
On Difference Approximations with Wrong Boundary Values

Assume that the approximation (1.3) is stable. What can we say about the convergence of v,(t) towards u(x, t), as h -> O? For two special cases this question has been answered in an interesting paper by S. Parter [1]. He has shown that the estimates of Theorem 1 hold for the LaxWendroff scheme and the Friedrichs scheme. We want to generalize this result to general dissipative approximations, using a completely different technique. Furthermore, we shall give a fairly complete classification of all stable difference approximations according to the influence which the
Spray and microjets produced by focusing a laser pulse into a hemispherical drop

We use high-speed video imaging to study laser disruption of the free surface of a hemispheric drop. The drop sits on a glass surface and the Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser pulse propagates through the drop and is focused near the free surface from below. We focus on the evolution of the cylindrical liquid sheet and spray which emerges out of the drop and resembles typical impact crowns. The tip of the sheet emerges at velocities over 1 km/s. The tip of the crown breaks up into fine spray some of which is sucked back into the growing cavity at about 100 m/s. We measure the size of the typical spray droplets to be about 3 μm. We also show the formation of fine microjets, which are produced when the laser is focused inside the drop and the shock front hits small bubbles sitting under the free surface. For water these microjets are 5–50 μm in diameter and exit at 100–250 m/s. For higher viscosity drops, these jets can emerge at over 500 m/s.
Slip distribution from the 1 April 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake: A unique image of near‐trench rupture

We estimate the slip distribution from the MW 8.1 Solomon Islands earthquake in 2007, from two post‐seismic surveys measuring uplifted coral and submerged coastal features. The occurrence of islands extremely proximal to the trench and nucleation of rupture allowed for the collection of unprecedented coseismic deformation dataset along a large megathrust earthquake. Using data from the two surveys along the southeastern half of the slip zone within five weeks of the event, we model the elastic dislocation to identify the optimal (29°), and alternate (20°), dip and distribution of thrust along the southern rupture. The vertical deformation, which includes both coseismic and early postseismic deformation, has highly variable and large slip within 25 km of the trench and straddling Ranongga Island. The shallow focus of slip in the near‐trench area may explain the locally high tsunami run‐up on portions of Simbo Island, however the aseismic contribution of afterslip remains unknown.
Acute splenic complications and implications of splenectomy in hemoglobin SC disease

Splenectomy indications and outcome were evaluated in 124 adults with hemoglobin SC disease (Hb SC). Twelve patients (9.6%) required splenectomy. There was a significant difference between the splenectomy group and the non‐splenectomy group, respectively, regarding Hb levels (median 7.2 g/dL vs. 12.5 g/dL, P < 0.0001), platelet counts (median 146 × 106/L vs. 275 × 106/L, P = 0.031), palpable spleen rate (66% vs. 16%, P = 0.0003%), acute chest syndrome frequency (75% vs. 12%P = 0.0004) and cholecystectomy rate (66% vs. 13%, P = 0.0004). No significant morbidity or mortality occurred postsplenectomy. There is a subgroup of Hb SC patients requiring splenectomy, in which splenectomy is effective. Although it appears to be safe regarding short‐term complications of surgery, long‐term adverse effects such as infections have to be evaluated cautiously.
Difluprednate 0.05% versus Prednisolone Acetate 1% for Endogenous Anterior Uveitis: Pooled Efficacy Analysis of Two Phase 3 Studies

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyse pooled data from 2 similar phase 3 noninferiority studies comparing difluprednate 0.05% versus prednisolone acetate 1% in patients with endogenous anterior uveitis. Methods: Patients received difluprednate alternating with vehicle or prednisolone acetate for 14 days (8 drops/day in both groups), followed by tapering from day 14 to 28. All patients were observed until day 42. Results: More patients on difluprednate than on prednisolone acetate were cleared of anterior chamber cells on day twenty one (71.3% vs 54.7%; p = 0.02); results were similar at the other time points. Treatment withdrawals were higher with prednisolone acetate than difluprednate (19.8% vs 7.4%; log-rank p = 0.02). Study discontinuation due to lack of efficacy was also higher with prednisolone acetate than difluprednate (14.0% vs 0%; p = 0.0002 [pre-specified exploratory analysis]). Conclusions: More difluprednate-treated eyes were quiet following 21 days of treatment, and difluprednate-treated patients were much less likely to be withdrawn from the study because of treatment failure.
BCL2L1 has a functional role in colorectal cancer and its protein expression is associated with chromosome 20q gain

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the western world. The majority of CRCs, which develop from adenoma precursor lesions, show gain of chromosome arm 20q, where BCL2L1 is located. BCL2L1 is an important apoptosis regulating gene that codes for both an anti‐apoptotic (Bcl‐xL) and a pro‐apoptotic (Bcl‐xS) splice variant. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether BCL2L1 contributes to 20q gain‐driven colorectal adenoma‐to‐carcinoma progression. To this end, the functional role of BCL2L1 in cancer‐related processes was investigated, and differences in BCL2L1 DNA, mRNA, and protein levels were compared between colorectal adenomas and CRCs, as well as between tumours with and without 20q gain. Down‐modulation of BCL2L1 inhibited cell viability and anchorage‐independent growth of CRC cells, while invasion was not affected. BCL2L1 DNA copy number and protein expression were increased in CRCs compared to adenomas (p = 0.00005 and p = 0.03, respectively), while mRNA expression was not. Differences in BCL2L1 protein expression were even more pronounced between tumours with and without 20q gain (p = 0.0001). In conclusion, BCL2L1 is functionally involved in several cancer‐related processes and its protein expression is associated with 20q gain. This supports a role for 20q gain‐dependent expression of BCL2L1 in colorectal adenoma‐to‐carcinoma progression. However, the absence of a direct correlation between BCL2L1 mRNA and protein expression implies that BCL2L1 protein expression is regulated at the post‐transcriptional level by a distinct factor on the 20q amplicon (eg ZNF217, AURKA or miRNAs). Therefore, even though BCL2L1 affects CRC biology in a 20q gain‐dependent manner, it is not likely to be a driver of chromosome 20q gain associated adenoma‐to‐carcinoma progression. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advances in Brief Two Distinct Regions Involved in Ip Deletion in Human Primary Breast Cancer 1

Alteration of chromosome 1 is the most consistent cytogenetic abnor mality found in human breast carcinoma. Cytogenetic studies have shown independent alterations on the two arms of chromosome 1, increased copy number of the long arm and loss of the short arm of chromosome 1. These deletions are thought to coincide with the location of tumor suppressor gene(s). We carried out deletion analysis of the Ip region by using restric tion fragment length polymorphism markers mapping to the long (six markers) and short arm (22 markers). Thirty-five of the 74 (47.3%) human breast tumors tested showed somatic loss of heterozygosity at one or more loci on the short arm. Two commonly deleted regions, Ipl3-p21 and Ip32-pter, were identified. The latter region is frequently involved in other types of tumors, suggesting that it harbors a common tumor sup pressor gene. Our findings suggest that two tumor suppressor genes in volved in the development of human breast carcinoma may occur on the short arm of the chromosome 1.
Restriction of dairy products; a reality in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

INTRODUCTION Calcium deficiency is considered a risk factor for the development of osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Various dietary restrictions, including milk products are reported by these patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate dairy product and dietary calcium intake by IBD patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled 65 outpatients with IBD recruited from one reference center for IBD. A semi-structured questionnaire (to collect demographic, socioeconomic and clinical data) and a quantitative food frequency questionnaire were administered. With regard to clinical data, we evaluated the anthropometric nutritional status, the disease classification, the disease activity index and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Self-reported modifications in the use of dairy products were evaluated. RESULTS The IBD patients' ages ranged from 20-75 years and 67.0% were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The majority (64.7%) reported restricting dairy products. The frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms was higher among the Crohn's disease patients who restricted dairy products than among those with no restrictions (100% vs 42.9%; p = 0.013); this result was not observed among the UC (ulcerative colitis) patients. Disease activity was also more frequent in the IBD patients who restricted dairy products than in those with no restrictions (23.8% vs 4.5%; p = 0.031), and among the UC patients, extensive disease was more common in the patients who restricted dairy products than in those with no restrictions (42.9% vs 20.0%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Restricting dairy products is common among IBD patients, possibly due to disease activity, the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and the extension of the disease.
Disseminated, histologically confirmed Cryptococcus spp infection in a domestic ferret.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 4-year-old castrated male domestic ferret from central Massachusetts was evaluated for weight loss over a 1.5-month period and for 2 days of retching, diarrhea, and signs of lethargy. It had been housed indoors, with 2 other ferrets, 2 cats, and humans that lacked signs or symptoms of disease. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination revealed a thin body condition, tachypnea, an increase in respiratory effort, and retching. Splenomegaly was detected during abdominal palpation. Clinicopathologic analysis revealed lymphopenia, lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia. A pulmonary bronchointerstitial pattern was evident on radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a suspected pancreatic mass and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME After 2 weeks of medical treatment and once clinical signs resolved, an exploratory laparotomy was performed and a lymph node biopsy specimen was collected. Histologic evaluation of the specimen revealed Cryptococcus-like organisms. Antifungal treatment was initiated with itraconazole (PO) and amphotericin B (IV). The ferret died after 2 days of treatment. A full necropsy was performed, revealing multicentric cryptococcosis affecting the lungs, brain, spleen, and multiple lymph nodes. Paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed lung tissue was submitted for DNA extraction, and the organism was identified as Cryptococcus neoformans var grubii. CLINICAL RELEVANCE To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated cryptococcosis in a North American ferret. This case is unique in that the ferret lived indoors, in a geographic region in which reports of cryptococcosis are rare. The genotyping technique used to identify the Cryptococcus strain can aid in better understanding the epidemiology of cryptococcosis.
Heterogeneity of B Cells: Direct Evidence of Selective Triggering of Distinct Subpopulations by Polyclonal Activators

This investigation was undertaken to assess directly the previous postulate that distinct subsets of B cells in the adult mouse spleen are selectively triggered by different polyclonal B‐cell activators (PBA). Several strains of mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), and dextran sulphate (DS) were used in this study. Two experimental approaches were used: stimulation after addition of two PBAs simultaneously to cell cultures and eliminating the responding population to one PBA, by a hot pulse of radioactive thymidine, on a later response to another PBA. The results of these experiments indicated that DS stimulated a cell population completely different from that stimulated by the LPS‐ and PPD‐sensitive cells. When LPS and PPD Stimulations were compared, it was found that the cells responding to these PBAs were largely distinct, although some cells were sensitive to both these PBAs. The extension of the overlaps in these subsets (the number of cells that could be activated by either PBA) was found to vary from one strain to another. These experiments gave direct evidence of the existence of subsets that cm Inactivated by different PBAs. The present results also provided indications of the functional performance of distinct subsets of B cells on activation.
Cardiac troponin I release after a basketball match in elite, amateur and junior players

Abstract Background: Available scientific data related to cardiac troponin I (cTnI) release after intermittent exercise is limited. It is also of interest to determine what personal or environmental factors mediate the exercise-induced release of cTnI. This study had two objectives: 1) to examine the individual release of cTnI to a basketball match; and 2) to establish the influence of athlete status as well as biological age on cTnI release. Methods: Thirty-six basketball players (12 adult elite [PBA]: 27.3±4.1 years, 12 adult amateur [ABA]: 29.6±2.9 years, and 12 junior elite [JBA]: 16.6±0.9 years) participated in a simulated basketball match with serial assessment of cTnI at rest, immediately post- and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h post-exercise. Results: The basketball match increased cTnI levels (pre: median [range]; 0.006 [0.001–0.026]; peak post: 0.024 [0.004–0.244] μg/L; p=0.000), with substantial individual variability in peak values. PBA and JBA players showed higher baseline and post-exercise cTnI values than ABA (all p<0.05). Peak cTnI exceeded the upper reference limit (URL) in the 26% of players (3 PBA; 6 JBA). Conclusions: The current results suggest that intermittent exercise can promote the appearance of cTnI and that this is potentially mediated by athlete status.
Vimentin induces changes in cell shape, motility, and adhesion during the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Vimentin is used widely as a marker of the epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) that take place during embryogenesis and metastasis, yet the functional implications of the expression of this type III intermediate filament (IF) protein are poorly understood. Using form factor analysis and quantitative Western blotting of normal, metastatic, and vimentin‐null cell lines, we show that the level of expression of vimentin IFs (VIFs) correlates with mesenchymal cell shape and motile behavior. The reorganization of VIFs caused by expressing a dominant‐negative mutant or by silencing vimentin with shRNA (neither of which alter microtubule or microfilament assembly) causes mesenchymal cells to adopt epithelial shapes. Following the microinjection of vimentin or transfection with vimentin cDNA, epithelial cells rapidly adopt mesenchymal shapes coincident with VIF assembly. These shape transitions are accompanied by a loss of desmosomal contacts, an increase in cell motility, and a significant increase in focal adhesion dynamics. Our results demonstrate that VIFs play a predominant role in the changes in shape, adhesion, and motility that occur during the EMT. —Mendez, M. G. , Kojima, S. ‐I. , Goldman, R. D. Vimentin induces changes in cell shape, motility, and adhesion during the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. FASEB J. 24, 1838–1851 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Perceived knowledge and training needs in adolescent pregnancy prevention: results from a multidisciplinary survey.

OBJECTIVES To examine health care professionals' knowledge and interest in training in adolescent pregnancy prevention and whether an association exists between perceived knowledge and interest in training. DESIGN A cross-sectional mailed survey. PARTICIPANTS Random, stratified sample design that identified 800 psychologists, 800 social workers, 1,000 nurses, and 400 pediatricians from national professional membership lists. Response rate to the mailed survey was 51%. After removing respondents who did not currently work with adolescents, 1,242 surveys (41%) were available for analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Descriptive analyses were conducted on self-report data concerning perceived knowledge and interest in training about adolescent pregnancy prevention separately for each of the 4 disciplines. Within disciplines, perceived knowledge and interest in training were correlated for each of 3 content areas (ie, sex education and contraceptive counseling, adolescent pregnancy, and counseling after a negative pregnancy test) and for a summary measure of the content areas. RESULTS Less than half of the nursing, pediatrics, psychology, and social work professionals reported high perceived knowledge in the 3 content areas. Psychologists and social workers reported the lowest perceived knowledge. However, with the exception of psychologists, more than two thirds of the other respondents reported moderate or high interest in training in the 3 content areas. Interest in training was not strongly correlated with perceived knowledge within any discipline. CONCLUSIONS The need to integrate psychosocial components into adolescent health care is a core assumption in the field, yet these data indicate that psychologists and social workers perceive low levels of knowledge and interest in training. These disciplines may benefit from more targeted professional training about their role in preventing adolescent pregnancy.