Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paralytic poliomyelitis in Oman: association between regional differences in attack rate and variations in antibody responses to oral poliovirus vaccine.

Variation in attack rates of paralytic disease by region during the 1988-1989 epidemic of type 1 poliomyelitis in Oman provided the stimulus to test the hypothesis that these observations were due to regional differences in the response of infants to trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). Seroprevalence studies of 394 children born during the outbreak were conducted in six different regions of Oman and in two socioeconomic status (SES) groups in the capital city of Muscat; a seroconversion study was also carried out in 105 infants born after the outbreak. Seroprevalence rates by region after receipt of at least three doses of OPV ranged from 90% to 100% (median 94%) to poliovirus type 1, and from 86% to 100% (median 97%) to type 2, and from 47% to 79% (median 72%) to type 3, with the lowest rates observed in regions with the highest incidence of type 1 paralytic disease. In Muscat, seroprevalence rates were also significantly lower in low versus high SES groups (type 1: 84% versus 98%, respectively [P = 0.006]; type 3: 59% versus 86%, respectively [P = 0.001]). In the seroconversion study conducted after the outbreak, 89%, 100% and 50% of infants had detectable antibodies to types 1, 2, and 3, respectively, after four doses of OPV. Low responses to type 3 were also associated with the occurrence of sporadic cases of type 3 poliomyelitis in 1991, in spite of high rates of coverage with at least four doses of OPV (> 96%) throughout the country. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Archaeal DNA Repair Nucleases

DNA is the carrier of genetic information, but is constantly assaulted by endogenous and exogenous genotoxic attacks in all living organisms. If left unrepaired damaged or structurally altered DNA can impede pathways of DNA metabolism and maintenance of genomic stability and lead to cell death or uncontrolled proliferation. Archaea comprise diverse microorganisms that can thrive in harsh environments like hydrothermal vents and acidic hot springs. They can live without sunlight or organic carbon as food, and instead survive on sulfur hydrogen, and other materials that most bacteria and eukaryotes can not metabolize. Considering the extreme environmental niches inhabited by archaeal species, DNA lesions could be massively induced by exposure to hazardous environmental factors, (e.g., ultraviolet, Xand -rays, elevated temperatures and endogenous mutagens, e.g., reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, alkylating agents and toxic metals), and very high rates of potentially mutagenic DNA lesions (deamination, depurination, oxidation by hydrolytic mechanisms, alkylations and subsequent strand breakage) are expected to arise. However, and interestingly, it was demonstrated that the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeota Sulfolobus Acidocaldarius exhibited a modest rate of spontaneous mutations nearly close to that of the mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia Coli (E. coli) (Grogan et al., 2001). Similarly, the euryarchaeota Pyrococcus abyssi can survive high doses of ionizing gamma irradiation (Jolivet et al., 2003b) and abasic sites formation in the hyperthermophilic chromosome was found to occur at a rate moderately higher than in E. coli (Palud et al., 2008). Thus, archaeal organisms seem to evolve efficient strategies for repairing DNA damage and thus avoiding mutations. Like bacteria and eukaryotes, archaeal repair mechanisms seem to include nucleolytic processing of DNA. Consequently, this article sets out to review archaeal DNA nucleases based on current knowledge of sequence, structure and mechanism. We have focused on recent work on several DNA repair nucleases, with a detailed description of substrate preference and cleavage specificity of these archaeal enzymes. Crystal structures, when available, are discussed in the context of biochemical data to outline mechanistic features, such as enzymatic DNA cleavage, DNA binding, and sometimes, although not always, functions. This review stresses the molecular mechanisms which have been conserved throughout evolution with reference to eukaryotic DNA nucleases and, in some cases, to
Improved clinical status and length of care with low-fat nutrition support in burn patients.

BACKGROUND The optimal amount and type of fat in the nutrition support of burned patients have not been determined. The aim of this study was to test low-fat nutritional solutions, with or without fish oil, on protein metabolism, morbidity, and length of care in severely burned adults. METHODS In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 43 patients were assigned to one of the following groups: control (35% fat), low-fat solution (ie, 15% of total calories as fat), low-fat with fish oil, given for 30 days. Nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion, urinary cortisol, and clinical status were measured daily. Corticosteroid-binding globulin and total and free serum cortisol were measured every 3 days. RESULTS Compared with controls, patients on low-fat support had fewer cases of pneumonia: 3/24 vs 7/13 (p = .02), better respiratory and nutrition status, and shorter time to healing: 1.2 vs 1.8 days/% burned area (p = 0.01). There was no difference in nitrogen balance between groups, and 3-methylhistidine excretion was higher and serum free cortisol was lower in log-fat--fed patients than in controls. There was no difference between the two low-fat groups in any of the parameters measured. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that low-fat nutrition support decreases infectious morbidity and shortens length of stay in burn patients. Fish oil does not seem to add clinical benefit to low-fat solutions. In addition, this study provides the first evidence that nutrition intervention modulates cortisol-binding globulin and the concentration of free circulating cortisol after a severe stress.
Growth Under the Shadow of Expropriation? The Economic Impacts of Eminent Domain

Is it justified for governments to expropriate private property rights? We embed competing views in a model: insecure property rights leading to underinvestment, moral hazard leading to overinvestment, or public use leading to economic growth. To isolate the mechanisms, we use the random assignment of U.S. federal court judges setting geographically local precedent. For over a half-century, racial minority Democrats were more likely to strike down government takings while Republican former federal prosecutors were more likely to uphold government takings. Over time, making physical takings easier stimulated subsequent takings, expropriation of larger parcels, highway construction, and growth in construction, transportation, and government sectors. Overall economic growth and property values increased. However, minorities were increasingly displaced and unemployed, and the service sector declined. Facilitating government regulations of land use also spurred economic growth and increased property values but did not lead to displacement or racial inequality.
White matter integrity alterations in young healthy adults reporting childhood trauma: A diffusion tensor imaging study

Objective: To date, insufficient studies have focused on the relationship between childhood trauma and white matter integrity changes in healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential effects of childhood trauma on white matter microstructural changes by using voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine alterations in fractional anisotropy (FA) values in a group of young healthy adults. Methods: A total of 21 healthy adults with a history of childhood trauma exposures and 21 age- and sex-matched individuals without childhood trauma were recruited in the present study. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess five aspects of childhood trauma exposures. DTI data were obtained on a Philips 3.0-Tesla scanner. Voxel-based analysis was conducted to compare white matter FA values between groups. Results: Adults with self-reported childhood trauma experiences showed decreased white matter FA values in the genu and body of the corpus callosum and the left occipital fusiform gyrus (p < 0.001 uncorrected, voxel > 100). There was no significant difference in FA values between individuals with single and multiple childhood trauma exposures at the defined threshold. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that childhood trauma is associated with reduced microstructural integrity of the white matter in adulthood. These effects are still evident even in the absence of current psychiatric or medical symptoms, which may represent the vulnerability for developing mental disorders after childhood trauma experiences.
Inhaler Training Delivered by Internet-Based Home Videoconferencing Improves Technique and Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: COPD is common, and inhaled medications can reduce the risk of exacerbations. Incorrect inhaler use is also common and may lead to worse symptoms and increased exacerbations. We examined whether inhaler training could be delivered using Internet-based home videoconferencing and its effect on inhaler technique, self-efficacy, quality of life, and adherence. METHODS: In this pre-post pilot study, participants with COPD had 3 monthly Internet-based home videoconference visits with a pharmacist who provided inhaler training using teach-to-goal methodology. Participants completed mailed questionnaires to ascertain COPD severity, self-efficacy, health literacy, quality of life, adherence, and satisfaction with the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 41 participants completed at least one, and 38 completed all 3 home videoconference visits. During each visit, technique improved for all inhalers, with significant improvements for the albuterol metered-dose inhaler, budesonide/formoterol metered-dose inhaler, and tiotropium dry powder inhaler. Improved technique was sustained for nearly all inhalers at 1 and 2 months. Quality of life measured with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire improved following the training: dyspnea (+0.3 points, P = .01), fatigue (+0.6 points, P < .001), emotional function (+0.5 points, P = .001), and mastery (+0.7 points, P < .001). Coping skills measured with the Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire improved (+9.9 points, P = .003). Participants reported increased confidence in inhaler use; for example, mean self-efficacy for using albuterol increased 3 points (P < .001). Inhaler adherence improved significantly after the intervention from 1.6 at the initial visit to 1.1 at month 2 (P = .045). The pharmacist reported technical issues in 64% of visits. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaler training using teach-to-goal methodology delivered by home videoconference is a promising means to provide training to patients with COPD that can improve technique, quality of life, self-efficacy, and adherence.
Restraining influence of A 2 neurons in chronic control of arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objectives: The role of A2 noradrenergic neurons in regulating cardiovascular homeostasis chronically is poorly understood. We aimed to genetically target A2 neurons and induce expression of a potassium channel to reduce their electrical excitability and study how this impacts on long-term blood pressure control. Methods: We used a lentiviral vector with PRSx8 promoter for targeting noradrenergic neurons to express a human inwardly rectifying potassium channel, hKir2.1. The dorsal vagal complex containing the A2 cell group was microinjected with the PRSx8-hKir2.1 lentivirus in both normotensive Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats fitted with radio telemetry devices. Results: In Wistar rats expression of hKir2.1 increased lability of arterial pressure between 7 to 21 days post-injection with mean arterial pressure not increasing significantly until day 21 (+11±1 mmHg; pb0.001; dark phase). Urine output and water intake were both decreased. In contrast, in spontaneously hypertensive rats not only the lability of arterial pressure but also the mean arterial pressure increased by day 7 and persisted during the 21 day recording period (+13±1 mmHg; pb0.001 at day 21). In contrast to Wistar rats, body fluid homeostasis was un-affected in hypertensive rats. Neither cardiac baroreceptor reflex gain nor heart rate variability changed in either rat strain. Plasma osmolality levels were also unaffected. Conclusions: Our data indicate a role for A2 neurons in the chronic regulation of arterial pressure independent of the cardiac baroreceptor reflex. The activity of A2 neurons may constitute an essential part of the central circuitry underpinning chronic regulation of arterial pressure in both, normoand hypertensive rats. © 2007 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Stroop-Like Effects for Monkeys and Humans: Processing Speed or Strength of Association?

Stroop-like effects have been found using a variety of paradigms and subject groups In the present investigation, 6 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and 28 humans exhibited Stroop-like interference and facilitation in a relative-numerousness task Monkeys, like humans, processed the meanings of the numerical symbols automatically—despite the fact that these meanings were irrelevant to task performance These data also afforded direct comparison of interpretations of the Stroop effect in terms of processing speed versus association strength These findings were consistent with parallel-processing models of Stroop-like interference proposed elsewhere, but not with processing-speed accounts posited frequently to explain the effect
Intrarticular treatment of osteoartropaty knee with polynucleotides: a pilot study with medium-term follow-up.

Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability in the elderly. Many therapies are nowadays available, ranging from non-pharmacologic to pharmacological approaches like visco-supplementation, oral supplements or topical treatments, but a flawless treatment is still to be found. Visco-supplementation represents a valid treatment option for reducing pain associated with knee osteoarthritis and improving function in the affected joint. Many literature data report on the efficacy and safety profiles of hyaluronic acid in knee osteoarthritis, however the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid remains controversial, in fact while several clinical trials claimed a disease-modifying effect for hyaluronic acid, subsequent meta-analyses have cast doubts on this fact. The ideal intra-articular treatment for osteoarthritis should not only provide a mechanical protection of the cartilage surface, but also restore condrocytes homeostasis by restoring the physiological articular micro-environment and supplying nutrients. In this perspective an innovative medical product made up of polynucleotides (Condrotide) has been developed. The aim of this study is to test the 2-months efficacy in pain relief and improving function of intra-articular injections of Condrotide in patients with knee osteoarthritis or with grade III or IV chondropathy. Ninety-five subjects (33 men, 62 women), aged between 53 and 80, were included between May 2011 to July 2012. All subjects received intra-articular injections of Condrotide and were evaluated with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the NRS scale for pain assessment, the measurement of the range of motion (R.O.M.). In all subjects a significant improvement was found in KOOS score after 60 days. The mean global NRS pain decreased in both groups and there was also a R.O. M. improvement. These results show that the intra-articular administration of nucleotides in subjects with both severe knee arthritis and chondropathy can be recommended since is able to reverse in the short and medium term symptoms and function with a significant improvement in quality of life.
Presynaptic architecture of the larval zebrafish neuromuscular junction

This article shows the ultrastructural architecture of larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) neuromuscular junctions in three dimensions. We compare classical electron microscopy fixation techniques with high‐pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution (HPF/FS) in combination with electron tomography. Furthermore, we compare the structure of neuromuscular junctions in 4‐ and 8‐dpf zebrafish larvae with HPF/FS because this allows for close‐to‐native ultrastructural preservation. We discovered that synaptic vesicles of 4‐dpf zebrafish larvae are larger than those of 8‐dpf larvae. Furthermore, we describe two types of dense‐core vesicles and quantify a filamentous network of small filaments interconnecting synaptic vesicles as well as tethers connecting synaptic vesicles to the presynaptic cell membrane. In the center of active zones, we found elaborate electron‐dense projections physically connecting vesicles of the synaptic vesicle pool to the presynaptic membrane. Overall this study establishes the basis for systematic comparisons of synaptic architecture at high resolution in three dimensions of an intact vertebrate in a close‐to‐native state. Furthermore, we provide quantitative information that builds the basis for diverse systems biology approaches in neuroscience, from comparative anatomy to cellular simulations. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1984–1997, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Science-based Firms Going Public: The Role of Patent Indicators and Top Management Teams

Abstract This paper examines how specific dimensions related to innovative capabilities influence the economic value of science-based firms when they go public. To test a set of hypotheses, we conduct an empirical research of a sample of dedicated biotechnology firms that completed an initial public offering (IPO) in the USA during 1983–2009. The results indicate that technological diversity, the patent stock’s value and dominant functional diversity in top management teams (TMTs) are positively associated with raising funds through an IPO. However, intrapersonal functional diversity in the TMT does not have a significant effect.
Extrauterine fibroids: a diagnostic challenge and a long-term battle

Extrauterine fibroids often present a diagnostic challenge due to the unusual locations they arise from. We present a series of rare extrauterine fibroids. In recent years, these fibroids have been associated with previous morcellated hysterectomies or myomectomies. Our series of six patients were found to have extrauterine fibroids (confirmed through histology) and underwent open hysterectomy and open or laparoscopic myomectomy. Four had undergone previous laparoscopic myomectomies while the other two had no previous intra-abdominal surgeries. Postsurgical occurrence may be caused by incomplete removal of morcellated fibroid tissue. Spontaneous occurrence can be associated with congenital Müllerian system defects. Extrapolating from this hypothesis, we recommend physicians to make sure that counselling for extrauterine seeding and dissemination of unexpected malignancy is undertaken in cases of minimally invasive surgeries where morcellation is expected. Long-term tumour surveillance is thus essential in such instances.
Nonoccupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos and the risk of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Heavy industrial exposure to asbestos causes lung cancer and mesothelioma, but it remains unknown whether much lower environmental exposure to asbestos also causes these cancers. Nevertheless, regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have assessed the risk of lung cancer by extrapolating known risks from past industrial exposure to asbestos to today's much lower environmental asbestos levels (roughly 100,000 times lower). We also tested the EPA's model for predicting the risk of asbestos-induced lung cancer in a population of women with relatively high levels of nonoccupational exposure to asbestos. METHODS Mortality among women in 2 chrysotile-asbestos-mining areas of the province of Quebec was compared with mortality among women in 60 control areas, and age-standardized mortality ratios were derived. With the help of an expert panel, we estimated past exposure to asbestos among women in the mining areas and used these data with the EPA's model to predict the relative risk of lung cancer. We then compared this prediction with the observed mortality ratios. RESULTS On the basis of the estimated exposure in the asbestos-mining areas, a relative risk of death due to lung cancer of 2.1 was predicted by the EPA's model, amounting to about 75 excess deaths from lung cancer in this population. By contrast, we calculated a standardized mortality ratio of 1.0 and a standardized proportionate mortality ratio of 1.1 (P> 0.05), suggesting that there were between 0 and 6.5 excess deaths from lung cancer among the women with nonoccupational exposure to asbestos. Seven deaths from pleural cancer were observed (relative risk=7.63; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS We found no measurable excess risk of death due to lung cancer among women in two chrysotile-asbestos-mining regions. The EPA's model overestimated the risk of asbestos-induced lung cancer by at least a factor of 10.
Financial Disclosure and Entry to the European Capital Market

In this paper, I provide some evidence concerning the relationship between financial information and a firm's entry into a capital market. The main assumption underlying this study is that corporations will be motivated to upgrade their financial disclosure in order to obtain scarce money capital as cheaply as possible. ' To assess the relationship between disclosure and capital market entry, I selected the entry of an enterprise-investor into an international new issues market. My reason for this choice was simply that a firm would be expected to make its security issues relatively appealing during entry in order to attract support from an audience which possesses alternative outlets for their savings.2 The demand for information would appear to be even stronger in an international setting where investors are often unacquainted with the relative merits of foreign borrowers.3 The effect of
Positive Predictive Value of Fecal Occult Blood Testing in Persons Taking Warfarin

BACKGROUND:In clinical practice, some physicians discontinue warfarin prior to fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). Although anticoagulant use is associated with an increased risk of overt gastrointestinal bleeding, the impact of warfarin on the positive predictive value of FOBT is unknown.METHODS:During a 5-yr period, we prospectively studied all patients taking warfarin who were referred for the evaluation of a positive FOBT. For each patient taking warfarin, we enrolled one age- and gender-matched control subject with a positive FOBT who was not taking anticoagulants. A detailed clinical history was obtained, and all subjects underwent colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy.RESULTS:Lesions consistent with occult bleeding were identified in 59.0% of the 210 patients in the warfarin group and 53.8% of the 210 control subjects (p= 0.27). Although more lesions were identified by colonoscopy in the warfarin group than in control subjects (36.2%vs 25.7%, p= 0.02), there was no difference in the frequency of lesions identified by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (35.2%vs 39.5%, p= 0.43). Overall, adenomas ≥1 cm in diameter (16.2%) and colorectal carcinoma (9.5%) were the most common lesions identified by colonoscopy, while erosive gastritis (15.5%) and erosive duodenitis (11.0%) were the most frequent lesions found by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Among individuals with colorectal cancer, 83.3% of patients in the warfarin group had early cancers (Dukes' stage A or B) compared with 50.0% of control subjects (p= 0.046). CONCLUSIONS:Warfarin use did not decrease the positive predictive value of FOBT. These findings suggest that warfarin should not be discontinued prior to FOBT.