Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mild hypothermia and hemorrhagic lesions in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: experience in an outborn center

Abstract Objective: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) started within six hours from birth has been shown to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns with moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive newborns treated with whole body cooling at the Bambino Gesú Children's Hospital between March 2011 and December 2012 were included in this study. All infants were out-born neonates. Passive cooling was always started at the birth center and continued during transportation. Pre- and post-transport risk index of physiological stability (TRIPS) scores were calculated for each patient to evaluate the impact of the transportation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed within 10 days of life to investigate the presence of brain injury. Results: Among the 26 survivors, 14 had no detectable lesions and 12 presented with brain injury on MRI. Four babies presented with cerebral bleeding. Babies with cerebral hemorrhage had a worse pre-transport TRIPS score, but among these neonates no worsening between pre and post-transport score was registered. Conclusion: The presence of cerebral hemorrhagic lesions seemed to be related to the initial clinical conditions of the baby rather than to the transport itself. Our data confirm that TH performed in an out-born center is efficient and safe.
Comparison of putative cooperative mechanisms in cardiac muscle : length dependence and dynamic responses

Rice, J. Jeremy, Raimond L. Winslow, and William C. Hunter. Comparison of putative cooperative mechanisms in cardiac muscle: length dependence and dynamic responses. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 45): H1734–H1754, 1999. —Length-dependent steady-state and dynamic responses of five models of isometric force generation in cardiac myofilaments were compared with similar experimental data from the literature. The models were constructed by assuming different subsets of three putative cooperative mechanisms. Cooperative mechanism 1 holds that cross-bridge binding increases the affinity of troponin for Ca21. In the models, cooperative mechanism 1 can produce steep forceCa21 (F-Ca) relations, but apparent cooperativity is highest at midlevel Ca21 concentrations. During twitches, cooperative mechanism 1 has the effect of increasing latency to peak as the magnitude of force increases, an effect not seen experimentally. Cooperative mechanism 2 holds that the binding of a cross bridge increases the rate of formation of neighboring cross bridges and that multiple cross bridges can maintain activation of the thin filament in the absence of Ca21. Only cooperative mechanism 2 can produce sarcomere length (SL)dependent prolongation of twitches, but this mechanism has little effect on steady-state F-Ca relations. Cooperativity mechanism 3 is designed to simulate end-to-end interactions between adjacent troponin and tropomyosin. This mechanism can produce steep F-Ca relations with appropriate SLdependent changes in Ca21 sensitivity. With the assumption that tropomyosin shifting is faster than cross-bridge cycling, cooperative mechanism 3 produces twitches where latency to peak is independent of the magnitude of force, as seen experimentally.
Secondary Emission from Polymers

The available data on secondary emission yields from electron bombarded polymers was reviewed to identify those features they have in common with metals and inorganic insulators. As in the case of the more widely studied materials it was found that when the yield ¿ obtained at a bombarding electron energy Eo, is divided by the maximum yield ¿m, and plotted versus Eo/Eom' most of the data falls within a small range, i.e. on a "universal" curve. At high energies the yield is given by a simple power function ¿ = KE-n with n = 0.725 for all the materials and K ranging from 1.55 for teflon to 0.68 for kapton if E is in KeV. The value of K is found to decrease as the complexity of the repeating unit in the polymer increases. This can be expressed quantitatively as K = 10.64 (N/M) - 3.15 where N/M is the ratio of the number of valence electrons to the gram molecular weight of a monomeric unit. We also find that ¿m/Eom averages 9.5 for the polymers which is very close to the value of 9.6 reported for inorganic insulators. Using the semiempirical model of secondary emission we find that the yield coefficient is given by K = 12.1Eom1. 725. Consequently it is possible to estimate the yield curve over the full range of interest if any one of the parameters ¿m' Eom or K are known.
Kinetic and mechanistic studies of penicillin-binding protein 2x from Streptococcus pneumoniae.

High molecular weight penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are bifunctional enzymes that build bacterial cell walls from the glycopeptide lipid II [GlcNAc-MurNAc(L-Ala-gamma-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala)-pyrophosphate-undecaprenol] by a process involving disaccharide polymerization and peptide cross-linking. The latter reaction involves acyl-transfer chemistry in which the penultimate (D)Ala first acylates the active-site serine, with release of the terminal (D)Ala, and is then transferred to the epsilon-amine of a Lys on a neighboring pentapeptide chain. These enzymes also catalyze hydrolysis of specific thioester substrates and acylation by beta-lactam antibiotics. In this paper, we explore these latter two reactions and report mechanistic experiments on the reaction of Streptococcus pneumoniae PBP 2x with N-benzoyl-(D)Ala-thioacetic acid [Bz-(D)Ala-(S)Gly] and penicillin G. For these experiments, we used PBP 2x, a soluble form of PBP 2x in which the transmembrane domain was deleted. The following results are significant: (1) pH dependencies for acylation of PBP 2x by penicillin G and Bz-(D)Ala-(S)Gly are identical, suggesting that the same ionizable residues are involved in both reactions and that these residues play the same catalytic role in the two processes. On the basis of these results, we propose a mechanistic model that is also consistent with recently published structural data [Gordon, E. , et al. (2000) J. Mol. Biol. 299, 477-485]. (2) Pre-steady-state experiments for the PBP 2x-catalyzed hydrolysis of Bz-(D)Ala-(S)Gly at pH 6.5 indicate that k(c) is principally rate-limited by acylation with some contribution from deacylation. The contribution of these steps to rate limitation is pH-dependent, with acylation entirely rate-limiting at pH values less than 5.5 and deacylation principally rate-limiting above pH 8.5. (3) Results of solvent isotope effect and proton inventory experiments for acylation suggest a complex process that is at least partially rate-limited by chemistry with some involvement of changes in solvation and/or enzyme conformation. (4) Analysis of activation parameters suggests that during the acylation of PBP 2x by penicillin G the inherent chemical stability of penicillin's amide bond, as manifested in the enthalpy of activation, is offset by a favorable entropy term that reflects penicillin's rotationally constrained bicyclic system, which presumably allows a less energetically demanding entry into the transition state for acylation.
The Oligosaccharide Composition of Human Milk: Temporal and Individual Variations in Monosaccharide Components

Oligosaccharides are an important component of human milk, but little is known about variations in their composition. The aim of this study was to determine the temporal and inter-individual variations in carbohydrate composition of human milk during the first 3 months of lactation. Serial milk samples of 10 mothers (eight full-term and two preterm births) were analyzed to determine the concentration of lactose and three monosaccharide components derived from the non-lactose carbohydrate: sialic acid, N-acetylglucosamine, and fucose. In full-term milk, sialic acid and N-acetylglucosamine were found to decrease significantly (p < 0.05) from weeks 1 to 13 postnatally. On average (mean ± SD), sialic acid decreased by 71% (from 879 ± 157 to 256 ± 82 mg/L; p < 0.05) and N-acetylglucosamine by 56% (from 1,459 ± 282 to 646 ± 214 mg/L; p < 0.05), while fucose decreased by only 35% (from 660 ± 192 to 432 ± 180 mg/L; p > 0.05). On average, lactose concentration increased by 17% over the same period, from 55.4 ± 4.2 g/L in week 1 to 64.9 ± 2.3 g/L at 3 months. Preterm milk contained higher concentrations of each component, but temporal changes were similar to those seen in full-term milk. Apart from temporal changes, there were large inter-individual differences in oligosaccharide composition: fucose varied fourfold, sialic acid threefold, and N-acetylglucosamine twofold among women at the same stage of lactation. The changes observed may simply reflect the aging of the cells responsible for milk secretion, but they are also consistent with a programmed adaptation of the milk composition to the needs of the infant.
Do You See What I See? Ad Viewability and the Economics of Online Advertising

Between 40% and 50% of online ads served by publishers are actually never seen by Internet users, resulting in ineffective branding campaigns and a considerable waste of money for advertisers. To address this issue, more and more advertisers use technologies to measure the viewability of advertising campaigns on publisher websites. This paper provides the first comprehensive economic analysis of the impact of the adoption of such technologies on the economics of online advertising. We construct a simple economic model of two-sided markets for advertising where publishers manage their website to attract Internet users and advertisers. We show that the adoption of an ad viewability measurement technology affects the level of ad viewability offered by publishers, the prices of ads and publisher profits, the demand of advertisers, and user experience. Analyzing the social welfare impact of ad viewability in a monopoly market, we show that the social welfare is greater with ad viewability when the quality of the editorial content is high enough to offset the drop in user experience (due to a higher ad viewability). In the case of a competition between publishers, when the quality of the editorial content is equivalent between publishers, the social welfare is greater with ad viewability when the competition is not too intense and the nuisance cost of ads is not too high.
Particle Counts of Meningopneumonitis Virus by Phase Microscopy.∗

Summary A rapid method for estimating the meningopneumonitis virus content of allantoic fluid suspension is described. Evidence is presented which indicates that counts obtained closely parallel egg infectivity titers and nitrogen content determinations. In 9 separate experiments one egg LD50 was found to contain 83–240 virus particles as counted by this method.
Mutation of Spry2 Induces Proliferation and Differentiation of Osteoblasts but Inhibits Proliferation of Gingival Epithelial Cells

Sprouty was identified as an inhibitor of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor, and Sprouty2 (Spry2) functions as a negative regulator of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. In this study, we investigated how inhibition of Spry2 affects osteoblasts and gingival epithelial cells in periodontal tissue regeneration in vitro. Transduction of a dominant‐negative mutant of Spry2 (Y55A‐Spry2) enhanced basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)‐ and epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐induced ERK activation in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells. In contrast, it decreased their activation in GE1 cells. Consistent with these observations, Y55A‐Spry2 increased osteoblast proliferation with bFGF and EGF stimulation, whereas the proliferation of Y55A‐Spry2‐introduced GE1 cells was decreased via the ubiquitination and degradation of EGF receptors (EGFRs). In addition, Y55A‐Spry2 caused upregulation of Runx2 expression and downregulation of Twist, a negative regulator of Runx2, with treatment of bFGF and EGF, resulting in enhanced osteoblastogenesis accompanied by alkaline phosphatase activation and osteocalcin expression in MC3T3‐E1 cells. These data suggest that suppression of Spry2 expression induces proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells after the addition of a bFGF and EGF cocktail but inhibits proliferation in gingival epithelial cells. These in vitro experiments may provide a molecular basis for novel therapeutic approaches in periodontal tissue regeneration. Taken together, our study proposes that combined application of an inhibitor for tyrosine 55 of Spry2, bFGF, and EGF may effectively allow alveolar bone growth and block the ingrowth of gingival epithelial cells toward bony defects, biologically mimicking a barrier effect in guided tissue regeneration, with in vivo investigation in the future. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 628–639, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of age and administration rate on the brain sensitivity to propofol in rats

Background: It is well established that the dose of propofol for induction of anaesthesia is influenced by patient age. This may be explained by differences in pharmacokinetics or pharmaco‐dynamics. To evaluate the effect of age on propofol pharmaco‐dynamics, the brain concentration of propofol at the time of an EEG end‐point was used as a measure of CNS sensitivity.
Psychosocial interventions for dementia patients in long-term care

ABSTRACT Background: Psychosocial interventions in long-term care have the potential to improve the quality of care and quality of life of persons with dementia. Our aim is to explore the evidence and consensus on psychosocial interventions for persons with dementia in long-term care. Methods: This study comprises an appraisal of research reviews and of European, U.S. and Canadian dementia guidelines. Results: Twenty-eight reviews related to long-term care psychosocial interventions were selected. Behavioral management techniques (such as behavior therapy), cognitive stimulation, and physical activities (such as walking) were shown positively to affect behavior or physical condition, or to reduce depression. There are many other promising interventions, but methodological weaknesses did not allow conclusions to be drawn. The consensus presented in the guidelines emphasized the importance of care tailored to the needs and capabilities of persons with dementia and consideration of the individual's life context. Conclusions: Long-term care offers the possibility for planned care through individualized care plans, and consideration of the needs of persons with dementia and the individual life context. While using recommendations based on evidence and consensus is important to shape future long-term care, further well-designed research is needed on psychosocial interventions in long-term care to strengthen the evidence base for such care.
[125/123I]IPH: A radioiodinated analog of epibatidine for in vivo studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Tomographic imaging of central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) via single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been hampered by the lack of a radioligand with suitable in vivo binding characteristics. Therefore, a novel analog of epibatidine, (±)‐exo‐2‐(2‐iodo‐5‐pyridyl)‐7‐azabicyclo[2.2. 1]heptane (IPH), labeled with [125I] or [123I] was evaluated as an in vivo marker of central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). [125I]IPH showed substantial brain penetration (4.2% of the injected dose at 30 min) and a cerebral biodistribution in mice consistent with the in vivo labeling of nAChRs (% injected dose/gram of thalamus, superior colliculi ≫ cerebellum). [125I]IPH binding sites were shown to be saturable with unlabeled IPH (ED50 approximately 1 μg/kg). The uptake of [125I]IPH was blocked significantly by the nicotinic agonists, cytisine, lobeline, and (−)‐nicotine, but not by the noncompetitive nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine. Antagonists of muscarinic (scopolamine), serotonin (ketanserin), and opioid (naloxone) receptors had no significant effect on [125I]IPH binding. A preliminary SPECT imaging study with [123I]IPH in a baboon showed [123I]IPH to localize in nAChR‐rich areas of brain (thalamus > frontal cortex > cerebellum). [123I]IPH binding in baboon brain was also displaced (35–45% displacement) by a challenge dose of cytisine showing that a well‐characterized nicotinic agonist effectively competes for [123I]IPH binding sites. [123I]IPH seems well suited for imaging studies of nAChRs and, to our knowledge, is the first SPECT agent that has allowed for the visualization of nAChRs in primate brain. Synapse 26:392–399, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Evaluation of the outcomes of entrepreneurship education revisited evidence from Estonia and Latvia

This dissertation addresses two major gaps discernible in contemporary entrepreneurship education (EE) research: firstly, the lack of comparative studies on different forms of EE, such as traditional and experiential, which would test the widely accepted assertion that experiential EE is more effective in generating the desired outcomes in learners; secondly, the lack of evidence of how objective expressions of entrepreneurial behaviour in selfor paid employment are dependent upon entrepreneurship-specific competences that can be developed throughout EE. In bridging these gaps, the dissertation proposes and tests the integrative framework for evaluating the outcomes of EE that conceptually relies on Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives (Kraiger et al. 1993; Bloom et al. 1964), human capital theory (Becker 1975), and teaching models in entrepreneurship for higher education (Béchard and Grégoire 2007, 2005b). The applied framework overcomes several trending points of concern in the literature on the impact of EE including the over-reliance on models of entrepreneurial intentions, overlooking, among others, the details of EE design and delivery in the evaluations performed. This novel evaluation framework puts forward the triad of cognitive, skill-based and affective outcomes of EE in the domain of education, and the triumvirate objective outcomes: employability, intrapreneurship and private early-stage entrepreneurial activity (EA) in the domain of entrepreneurship. It conceptualises experiential EE through the prism of demand and competence teaching models, while traditional EE is viewed as analogous of a supply model (ibid 2007). This study focuses on two small, open neighbouring post-transition economies: Estonia and Latvia. The analysis applies a mixed methods embedded design by combining multiple case study, cross-sectional and comparative designs. Data were collected from 16 entrepreneurship educators and from 559 final year bachelor students participating in business-related programmes, and recent graduates from these programmes taught at 8 local HEIs (4 per country). Purposive expert and homogeneous sampling were employed, respectively, at the qualitative and quantitative data collection stages that involved face-to-face semi-structured interviews and an online survey. The interview data were used to diagnose the prevailing form of intervention at each HEI. The survey data were used to test the hypotheses. Content analysis by means of data coding was performed to process the qualitative data. The structural equation modelling was applied to estimate cognitive, skill-based and affective outcomes. The analysis of co-variance was used
[Surgical treatment of calcaneal fracture involving talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints].

OBJECTIVE To explore the method and effectiveness of lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach to treat calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints. METHODS Between January 2009 and March 2011, 36 cases of calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints were treated by the lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach and calcaneal anatomical plate fixation. There were 27 males and 9 females with an average age of 38.7 years (range, 19-58 years). According to the Sanders classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type II, 20 cases of type III, and 4 cases of type IV. The Böhler and Gissane angles were (6.21 +/- 10.48) degrees and (89.85 +/- 12.34) degrees, respectively. The average time from injury to surgery was 4.2 days (range, 2-14 days). RESULTS Superficial skin flap necrosis and wound exudate occurred in 1 case respectively, which were cured after dressing change; primary healing was obtained in the other cases. All the cases were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 15.2 months). The X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with an average healing time of 10.6 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). The reduction of articular surface was satisfactory, and the heel height returned to normal. No complication of breakage of internal fixation or traumatic arthritis occurred. The Böhler and Gissane angles were (29.64 +/- 5.33) degrees and (121.75 +/- 6.65) degrees, respectively at 3 months after operation, showing significant differences when compared with the preoperative values (t=43.800, P=0.000; t=33.200, P=0.000). The average time of plate removal was 11.2 months (range, 9-20 months). According to Maryland foot score, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 4 cases; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. CONCLUSION The lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach is an effective method to treat calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints, which can expose the fracture fully, restore the anatomy of the calcaneal bone, and do early exercise under the condition of rigid internal fixation.
Depression of cell-mediated immunity in diabetes.

Parameters of cell-mediated and humoral-mediated immunity were measured in ten infection-free, insulin-dependent, controlled diabetic patients and in ten similar but nondiabetic patients awaiting elective operations. Tests performed included total and differential leukocyte counts, neutrophil reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, mitogen response of lymphocyte to phytohemagglutinin, ratio of thymus-derived to bone marrow-derived lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM, macrophage inhibition factor, serum zinc, and reaction to skin test antigens. Diabetics had a significantly (P less than .05) decreased mean response response to phytoheagglutinin stimulation and a lowered ratio of thymus-derived to bone marrow-derived lymphocytes. These findings support the concept of depressed cell-mediated immunity in the controlled, adult diabetic and might explain the propensity of the uncontrolled diabetic to increased frequency and severity of bacterial infection.