Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic characterisation of the immobilised Alcalase to hydrolyse egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction.

BACKGROUND This study examined technique characteristics of the immobilised Alcalase to hydrolyse egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction. Alcalase was immobilised covalently on carboxyl-functionalised magnetic beads by carbodiimide activation. The technique characteristics of the immobilised Alcalase were investigated, followed by determining the degrees of hydrolysis (DH), immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding, and IgE binding of the digested egg white protein by immobilised Alcalase. RESULTS Enzymatic activity, enzyme loading, and immobilisation yield of the prepared immobilised Alcalase were 20.55 U mg-1 , 925 mg g-1 , and 45%, respectively. Immobilised Alcalase showed maximum activity at pH 8.0 and 60 °C. Compared with free Alcalase, immobilised Alcalase exhibited better thermal and storage stability. Moreover, immobilised Alcalase can be reused 10 times and still maintained 55% of its initial activity. Partial hydrolysis of egg white protein by immobilised Alcalase can effectively reduce IgG and IgE binding of the hydrolysates. CONCLUSION This study indicates that the immobilised Alcalase can be used to hydrolyse continuously egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
ANTECEDENTS AND OUTCOME OF SIMPLE AND COMPLEX FEBRILE CONVULSIONS AMONG SAUDI CHILDREN

Of 215 Saudi children seen with their first febrile convulsion (FC) at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, between January 1984 and December 1988, the index FC was simple for 133 children and complex for the remaining 82. History of adverse antecedent factors, particularly perinatal asphyxia, birth injuries and pre‐existing neurological deficits, were significantly more associated with complex FC, as was occurrence of first FC before the age of 12 months. Recurrence of FCs and development of epilepsy were also more common among the group of children with complex FC. Complex FCs were less benign in the present study population than has been reported in some Western studies.
Lead dentists in the public dental service in Finland during a major reform.

BACKGROUND A major reform of dental care was conducted in Finland in 2001-2002. As a result, care from the Public Dental Service (PDS) was for first time made available to adults born before 1956 and the reimbursement of basic dental care in the private sector by the National Insurance Institution was extended to cover all adult age groups. AIM To survey how the position and role of the lead dentists in the PDS and their leadership role had changed during the eight years since the reform was introduced. METHODS Data on leadership qualities and styles and proceedings of the implementation process of the reform were collected from the lead PDS dentists (n=161) in 2011 using an e-mailed questionnaire. Comparisons were made with a previous study performed in 2003. The response rates were the same, 73%, in both years. Factor analysis, chi-square and non parametric tests were used in analysis. RESULTS The number of lead dentists had fallen by 39% as the sizes of the PDS units had increased. Only a third (30%) had applied for the leadership position and 17% were full-time lead dentists (usually in units having 40,000 or more inhabitants). Although most respondents (72%) felt that they were good goal-oriented managers, and almost all (94%) that they were good people-oriented leaders, they felt that a lead dentist's position in the municipal hierarchy had become weaker although the PDS after the reform had much larger population responsibility locally. Most lead dentists, 72%, claimed that they had been forced to work with insufficient staff in relation to the increased demand for care, especially lack of dentists. CONCLUSIONS Being a lead dentist in the PDS continued to be a rather lonely task and attracted male dentists more than female dentists. Over the years the lead dentists' self-confidence in their leadership role had improved but their independent decision-making power had decreased and their position in municipal decision making had stayed weak. Those who had applied for the leading post themselves worked in larger PDS units and had enough leadership education and were most satisfied with their work.
Dental care and oral health in solid organ transplant recipients: a single center cross‐sectional study and survey of German transplant centers

Aim of this study was to collect information about oral health of patients before and after SOT as well as information about center‐based recommendations for dental care. In a single center cross‐sectional study, the oral situation of 20 patients before and 20 after SOT were examined including dental (DMF‐T), periodontal (PSR®/PSI), and oral hygiene findings (modified QHI). In a second project, a survey among 50 transplant centers in Germany was questioned regarding their recommendations for dental care of SOT recipients. Patients before and after SOT showed similar quality of dental findings (DMF‐T), but worse compared to the general population. In addition, most patients in both groups showed pronounced periodontal treatment need (PSR®/PSI score 3 or 4). Oral hygiene findings (modified QHI) after SOT were significantly worse than in patients on the waiting list (P = 0.032). In a second project, the questionnaire was returned by 28 of 50 centers. Interpretation of data showed that 89% carry out a dental examination before SOT and 67% contacted the patients’ dentists. After SOT, 83% of the transplant centers recommend antibiotic cover before dental measures. The results of our study revealed lacks in the dental care of SOT recipients. Consistent recommendations regarding the dental care of patients before and after SOT should be determined.
Retinal neurogenesis and ontogenetic changes in the visual system of the brown banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum (hemiscyllidae, elasmobranchii)

The development of the eye of the oviparous brown banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum, was monitored from egg deposition through adulthood. The order and timing of retinal cell differentiation were assessed by light and transmission electron microscopy. As in other vertebrates, the ganglion cells are the first to differentiate, in this case by 81 days post‐egg deposition (dpd). The order then deviates from what is typically quoted for vertebrates, with the Müller and amacrine cells differentiating morphologically around the same time, followed by the bipolar cells (101 dpd) and finally the horizontal cells and photoreceptors (124 dpd). The neural retina is fully differentiated and synaptic connections are formed approximately 1 month prior to hatching, which occurs at about 158 dpd. The mature retina is duplex, with a peak rod to cone ratio of approximately 12:1. The eye and lens of C. punctatum continue to grow throughout life and become less aspherical with growth; the equatorial (nasotemporal) lens diameter is 12% larger than the axial (anterior‐posterior) lens diameter in embryos and 8% larger in adults. Access to developmental stages and the protracted gestational period of C. punctatum make it a highly valuable model for developmental studies of the visual system. This study also provides an evolutionary perspective on retinal neurogenesis in an elasmobranch. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:83–97, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fossil Clusiaceae from the late Cretaceous (Turonian) of New Jersey and implications regarding the history of bee pollination.

The Turonian flora from Sayreville New Jersey includes one of the world's most diverse assemblages of Cretaceous angiosperm flowers. This flora is made even more interesting by its association with a large insect fauna that is preserved by charcoalification as well as in amber. Floral diversity includes numerous representatives of Magnoliidae, Hamamelididae, Rosidae, Dilleniidae, and Asteridae (Ericales sensu lato). Included are hypogynous, five-merous flowers with uniseriate hairs on the pedicels and stamens in bundles most frequently borne opposite the petals. There is considerable variation in filament length, and some filaments are branched. On some anthers, strands of residue, suggesting the former presence of a liquid of unknown nature, partially occlude the apparent zone of dehiscence. In other cases, open anthers are fully occluded by an amorphous substance. Pollen is rarely found associated with anthers, but is common on stigmatic surfaces. Pollen is prolate and tricolporate with reticulate micromorphology. The superior syncarpous ovary is five-carpellate with axile/intruded parietal placentation and numerous anatropous ovules/carpel. Ovary partitions have closely spaced, parallel ascending channels (secretory canals? ), and there are apparent secretory canals/cavities in receptacles, sepals, and petals. Individual stigmas are cuneiform with a central groove and eccentrically peltate. Styles are short and fused. In aggregate, the stigmas form a secondarily peltate stigma. Seeds have a reticulate sculpture pattern, a pronounced raphe, and funicular arils with sculpture similar to the seeds. Phylogenetic analyses of several data matrices of extant taxa place this fossil in a monophyletic group with the modern genera Garcinia and Clusia within the Clusiaceae. As such, these fossils represent the earliest fossil evidence of the family Clusiaceae. Some modern Clusiaceae are notable, in particular, for their close relationship with meliponine and other highly derived bee pollinators; the fossil flowers share several characters that suggest a similar mode of pollination. This possibility is consistent with other floral and insect data from the same locality.
Proprotein convertase genes in Xenopus development

Proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of serine endoproteases that proteolytically activate many precursor proteins within various secretory pathway compartments. Loss‐of‐function studies have demonstrated a critical role for these proteases in embryonic patterning and adult homeostasis, yet little is known about how substrate selectivity is achieved. We have identified Xenopus orthologs of three PCs: furin, PC6, and PC4. In addition to previously described isoforms of PC6 and furin, four novel splice isoforms of PC6, which are predicted to encode constitutively secreted proteases, and a putative transmembrane isoform of PC4 were identified. Furin and PC6 are expressed in dynamic, tissue‐specific patterns throughout embryogenesis, whereas PC4 transcripts are restricted primarily to germ cells and brain in adult frogs. Developmental Dynamics 233:1038–1044, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cdx‐2 Polymorphism in the Promoter Region of the Human Vitamin D Receptor Gene Determines Susceptibility to Fracture in the Elderly

A Cdx‐2 binding site polymorphism (G to A) in the promoter region of the human vitamin D receptor gene was reported. In an ecological study in eight ethnic groups and an association study in 2848 elderly whites, we found the A‐allele to be associated with decreased fracture risk. Our findings expand previous similar findings in a Japanese study to whites and show a relationship with fracture risk of this functional polymorphism.
Early versus late treatment of posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation: results of a retrospective study from five neonatal intensive care units in The Netherlands

Posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) in very preterm infants carries a poor prognosis. As earlier studies have failed to show a benefit of early intervention, it is recommended that PHVD be first treated when head circumference is rapidly increasing and/or when symptoms of raised intracranial pressure develop. Infants with PHVD, admitted to 5 of the 10 Dutch neonatal intensive care units were studied retrospectively, to investigate whether there was a difference in the time of onset of treatment of PHVD and, if so, whether this was associated with a difference in the requirement of a ventriculo‐peritoneal (VP) shunt and/or neurodevelopmental outcome. The surviving infants with a gestational age ≤34 wk, born between 1992 and 1996, diagnosed as having a grade III haemorrhage according to Papile on cranial ultrasound and who developed PHVD were included in the study. PHVD was defined as a ventricular index (VI) exceeding the 97th percentile according to Levene (1981), and severe PHVD as a VI crossing the p 97 + 4 mm line. Ninety‐five infants met the entry criteria. Intervention was not deemed necessary in 22 infants, because of lack of progression. In 31 infants lumbar punctures (LP) were done before the p 97 + 4 mm line was crossed (early intervention). In 20/31 infants, stabilization occurred. In 9 a subcutaneous reservoir was placed, with subsequent stabilization in 6. In 5/31 infants a VP shunt was eventually inserted. In 42 infants treatment was started once the p 97 + 4 mm line was crossed (late intervention). In 30 infants LPs were performed and in 17 of these a VP shunt was eventually inserted. In 11 infants a subcutaneous reservoir was immediately inserted and in 8 of these infants a VP shunt was needed. In one infant a VP shunt was immediately inserted, without any other form of treatment. Infants with late intervention crossed the p 97+ 4 mm earlier (p 0.03) and needed a shunt (26/42; 62%) more often than those with early intervention (5/31; 16%). Early LP was associated with a strongly reduced risk of VP‐shunting (odds ratio = 0.22, 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.62). The number of infants who developed a moderate or severe handicap was also higher (11/42; 26%) in the late intervention group, compared with those not requiring any intervention (3/22; 14%) or treated early (5/31; 16%).
Use of Acyclovir for Suppression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Is Not Associated with Genotypic Evidence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Resistance to Acyclovir: Analysis of Specimens from Three Phase III Trials

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the most common cause of genital ulcer disease and is a cofactor for HIV-1 acquisition and transmission. We analyzed specimens from three separate phase III trials of acyclovir (ACV) for prevention of HIV-1 acquisition and transmission to determine if failure of ACV to interrupt HIV acquisition and transmission was associated with genotypic ACV resistance. Acyclovir (400 mg twice daily) or placebo was provided to HSV-2-infected persons at risk of HIV-1 infection in the Mwanza and HPTN 039 trials and to persons dually infected with HSV-2 and HIV-1 who had an HIV-negative partner in the Partners in Prevention study. We extracted HSV DNA from genital ulcer swabs or cervicovaginal lavage fluids from 68 samples obtained from 64 participants randomized to ACV and sequenced the HSV-2 UL23 gene encoding thymidine kinase. The UL23 sequences were compared with published and unpublished data. Variants were observed in 38/1,128 (3.4%) nucleotide positions in the UL23 open reading frame, with 58% of these encoding amino acid changes. No deletions, insertions, or mutations known to be associated with resistance were detected. Thirty-one of the variants (81.5%) are newly reported, 15 of which code for amino acid changes. Overall, UL23 is highly polymorphic compared to other loci in HSV-2, but no drug resistance mutations were detected that could explain the failure to reduce HIV incidence or to prevent HIV-1 transmission in these studies.
New Reporter Gene-Based Replication Assay Reveals Exchangeability of Replication Factors of Porcine Circovirus Types 1 and 2

ABSTRACT Two types of porcine circovirus (PCV), which differ in their pathogenicity, are known. PCV type 2 (PCV2) is the etiological agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in swine, while PCV1 has not yet been linked to a disease. Corroborating earlier observations in PCV1, transcript mapping revealed that the rep gene of PCV2 encodes two products, the full-length protein Rep and the spliced version Rep′ and that the simultaneous expression of Rep and Rep′ proteins is essential for initiation of replication of PCV2. The interchangeability of the replication factors of PCV1 and PCV2 was examined. The rep gene products of PCV2 were not only able to bind the PCV2 origin but also the origin of PCV1 and vice versa. To investigate the competence of the Rep/Rep′ proteins to initiate replication at the heterologous origin, a new replication assay was developed. It measures the expression of a luc reporter gene present on a plasmid carrying the origin of the investigated replicon. Replication is initiated by expression of the appendant replicase from a second plasmid and results in replication of the origin plasmid coupled with an increase in the Luc activity. Using this method to compare replication of PCV1 and PCV2 in cell culture, it was shown that the Rep/Rep′ protein of PCV2 initiated replication at the origin of PCV1, as did the reciprocal combination. Our results indicate that the cis- and trans-acting replication factors of the two viruses are functionally exchangeable.
Induction‐consolidation with an idarubicin‐containing regimen, unpurged marrow autograft, and post‐graft chemotherapy in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Between 1991 and 1993 we conducted a collaborative trial in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, introducing an idarubicin (IDA)‐containing regimen for induction and early consolidation, and increasing consolidation intensity with an autologous bone marrow transplantation phase (ABMT, patients aged <51 years) followed by further chemotherapy for 12 weeks and low‐dose maintenance for 6 months (ABMT patients) or 18 months. 96 patients were evaluable for antileukaemic response after induction with vincristine–prednisone–l‐asparaginase plus cumulative IDA 36 or 20 mg/m2 (IVAP‐1 and IVAP‐2), and for disease‐free survival (DFS) after a minimum follow‐up >3.5 years with an off‐therapy interval >1.5 years. The response rate was 44% (7/16) with IVAP‐1 and 90% (72/80) with IVAP‐2 (P = 0.0001), due to regimen‐related toxicities. Post‐remission therapy was administered as planned to most cases but protocol violation was registered in some patients eligible to ABMT and post‐graft chemotherapy. The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) rate was 31%. Multivariate analysis indicated that DFS was improved in patients receiving a transplant (11 allogeneic, DFS 70%; 32 ABMT, 36%; 37 neither, 17%; P < 0.001) and was negatively affected by high‐risk features such as blast cell count >25 × 109/l, T‐cell or mature B‐cell immunophenotype, and t(9;22)/t(4;11) (all P values <0.05). The 5‐year DFS rate was 54% for 26 patients with no high‐risk factor, 26% for 35 patients with any one, and 6% for 18 patients with any two (P < 0.005). IVAP‐2 brought about a high complete response rate and post‐remission treatment including ABMT was feasible and modestly toxic. In spite of the short post‐graft chemotherapy phase, the long‐term DFS rate was good in cases with no high‐risk feature. However, because autografting may be redundant in the standard‐risk category, its role requires further investigation for high‐risk cases.
Induction of P‐glycoprotein by rifampin increases intestinal secretion of talinolol in human beings: A new type of drug/drug interaction

P‐Glycoprotein is an efflux pump in many epithelial cells with excretory function. It has been demonstrated that rifampin (INN, rifampicin) induces P‐glycoprotein, particularly in the gut wall. We therefore hypothesized that rifampin affects pharmacokinetics of the P‐glycoprotein substrate talinolol, a β1‐blocker without appreciable metabolic disposition but intense intestinal secretion in human beings.
The Bank of Italy Econometric Model: An Update of the Main Equations and Model Elasticities

The Bank of Italy quarterly econometric model (BIQM) is a large-scale ‘semi structural’ macro-econometric model. It tries to strike the right balance between theoretical rigour and statistical fit to the data. This paper provides an update of the features and the properties of the model, focussing on the empirical estimates of its main equations and on the system responses to various shocks; interactions and feedback mechanisms between the financial and the real side of the economy are also illustrated. The BIQM is primarily used to produce macroeconomic forecasts, but it is also employed – in conjunction with other tools – for evaluating the impact of monetary and fiscal policy options and for counterfactual analyses. Examples of the types of macro-economic analyses carried out with the model are provided.
Autoimmune limbic encephalitis

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis (LE) can arise both by paraneoplastic and non‐paraneoplastic mechanisms. Patients with LE usually have a subacute onset of memory impairment, disorientation and agitation, but can also develop seizures, hallucinations and sleep disturbance. The following investigations may aid the diagnosis: analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and neuronal antibodies in the serum and CSF. Neuronal antibodies are sometimes, but not always, pathogenic. Autoimmune LE may respond to corticosteroids, intravenous IgG (IVIG) or plasma exchange. The cornerstone of paraneoplastic LE therapy is resection of the tumour and/or oncological treatment. Several differential diagnoses must be excluded, among them herpes simplex encephalitis.
Assessment of the validity and reliability of three systems of medical record screening for quality of care assessment.

OBJECTIVES The authors compared the validity and reliability of three methods of medical record screening for detecting problems with quality of care of patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures: (1) the Uniform Clinical Data Set System (UCDSS), a software-based system developed by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), (2) the HCFA generic screens, and (3) the Harvard Medical Practice Study (HMPS) screening criteria. METHODS A random sample of 451 medical records of inpatients who underwent cardiovascular procedures were screened by trained nurses and were also examined by physicians masked to screening results. Physicians' judgment provided a reference standard for validity assessment of screening applied by nurses. RESULTS Agreement between pairs of physician reviews about the quality of care was fair or slight (Kappa < 0.40). Agreement between nurses about presence of any screening flags was excellent for UCDSS (0.93), slight for HCFA (0.11), and fair for HMPS (0.41). The UCDSS was more sensitive to quality problems agreed on by two physicians than HCFA or HMPS (85%, 74%, and 69%, respectively), but was also less specific (48%, 57%, and 56%, respectively). The UCDSS was much more labor-intensive with an average of 6.7 hours of nurse review per quality problem disclosed versus 2 hours required by HCFA and HMPS. CONCLUSIONS The UCDSS computerized screens brought about substantial improvements in reliability of medical record screening, but needed to reduce its false-positive rate and to increase efficiency before it is used. From the perspective of continuous quality improvement, the UCDSS computerized algorithms provided a starting point to developing disease-specific patterns of practice to guide interventions.