Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of infectious complications in peritoneal dialysis patients using either a twin-bag system or automated peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and twin-bag (TB) systems are two major peritoneal dialysis (PD) modalities. Published data comparing the infectious complications of these modalities is limited. Subjects and methods. Ninety-five patients using APD (the APD group) and 117 patients using TB system (the TB group) were recruited. Among them, 35 patients used both modalities. The two groups' clinical characteristics, incidences of infectious complications, and the time intervals to first PD-related infection were compared. RESULTS Clinical characteristics, incidence of exit-site infection (ESI), and time intervals to first ESI were similar in the TB and APD groups. The incidence of peritonitis in the APD group (1.22 episodes/100 patient-months) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of the TB group (2.28 episodes/100 patient-months). Using the Cox proportional hazard model, APD was found to have a lower risk of peritonitis relative to TB systems, with marginal significance (RR 0.58, P = 0.051). CONCLUSION APD was found to have a lower peritonitis rate than the TB system. Since reducing the peritonitis rate helps to maintain technical survival during PD, from this viewpoint, APD may be preferred for patients undergoing PD, unless contraindicated.
Differential Anaesthetic Effects following Microinjection of Thiopentone and Propofol into the Pons of Adult Rats: A Pilot Study

Identifying the central nervous system sites of action of anaesthetics is important for understanding the link between their molecular actions and clinical effects. The aim of the present pilot study was to compare the anaesthetic effect of bilateral microinjections of propofol and thiopentone (both 200 μg/μl, in Intralipid and 0.9% saline respectively) into a recently discovered anaesthetic-sensitive region in the rat brainstem, the “mesopontine tegmental anaesthetic area” (MPTA). Microinjections (1 μl per side) were made into the MPTA of fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of each agent on spontaneous behaviour, postural control and nociceptive responsiveness was subjectively assessed according to established criteria. The main finding was that thiopentone induced an “anaesthesia-like” state, including complete atonia and loss of righting ability, in 20% of the subjects. Overall, thiopentone significantly reduced postural control and had a moderate antinociceptive effect compared to saline microinjections (P<0.01 and 0.05, respectively, Wilcoxon test). In contrast, propofol did not induce “anaesthesia” in any animal tested, although a similar antinociceptive effect to that of thiopentone was observed (P<0.05, Wilcoxon test). In summary, propofol and thiopentone have different effects when microinjected into the MPTA. While both agents reduced reflex withdrawal to a nociceptive stimulus, only thiopentone induced an “anaesthesia-like” state.
Improvement of MRI image quality by a directional adaptive filter

In this paper, an image processing method for improving the quality of MRI images is proposed. The directions of various structural elements such as edges are extracted, and a directional adaptive filter is proposed as a one-dimensional smoothing process in the detected directions. The result of applying directional adaptive filtering to MRI images, along with reducing the noise while minimizing structural element degradations, is that the contrast of soft tissue regions can be improved. MRI images have the characteristic of providing high contrast for soft tissue regions, but do not provide very high resolution. Directional adaptive filters are investigated and are shown to be particularly effective for images that possess these qualities, and the MRI performance level is compared to that obtained on X-ray CT images. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 28(10): 69–76, 1997
The Impact of Brazil’s 'Broadband at School Program' on Student Achievement

In the past decade policymakers in many countries have implemented programs to expand access to broadband in public schools. Instituted in 2008, the “Broadband at School” federal program in Brazil aimed to bring broadband to all urban public elementary and middle schools in the country by the end of 2010, beneficiating more than 64,000 schools, while maintaining the service free of charge until 2025. This paper uses the data collected by the “Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anisio Teixeira” (National Institute of Educational Research Anisio Teixeira), or INEP, in 2007, 2009 and 2011 to examine the effect of “Broadband at School” program on students’ academic performance. Using the system generalized method-of-moments panel data estimator, the paper assesses the impact of the program on the improvement of schools’ average Portuguese and mathematics standardized scores of 9th graders in all public schools. The identification strategy is based on the panel aspect of the data and on the fact that there is no evidence, neither in the data nor in the laws that regulate the implementation of this policy, that school participation is endogenous. Precision is improved by controlling for an extensive student, instructor, and school level variables such as household assets, parental education and involvement with student activities, the school physical infrastructure, safety, electronic equipment and library as well as teachers’ academic history and experience. Results indicate that schools that participate in the program have higher average Portuguese and mathematics scores. Besides, the longer a school has been enrolled in the program, as measured by the number of months, the larger is the effect.
A 2-year study of Helicobacter pylori in children

From September 1990 to October 1992, Helicobacter pylori was searched for in 426 children, 2 days to 16 years old, requiring upper fibroscopy for various symptoms. H. pylori was detected in 77 children (18.1%). Recurrent abdominal pain was present in 63.3% of the patients with H. pylori versus 48.6% of a control group of 74 age-matched children negative for H. pylori, weight loss was present in 6.5% of the patients versus 0% of the control subjects, and a family history of peptic ulcer was present in 14.2% of the patients versus 5.4% of the controls. Micronodular gastritis was observed in 31 children with H. pylori infection (40.2%). Among the 24 children (31.1%) with H. pylori infection and a normal mucosa at endoscopy, 18 (75%) complained of recurrent abdominal pain. H. pylori was also found in 21 of 38 children (55.2%) being examined because of short stature. These findings indicate that H. pylori should be looked for in children with recurrent abdominal pain with or without weight loss or a family history of peptic ulcer. Its relevance in short-stature syndrome requires further clarification.
Political Economy of Foreign Direct Investment: Globalized Production in the Twenty-First Century

This article reviews scholarly research on the political economy of foreign direct investment (FDI) over the past 20 years. FDI research during this period reflects FDI's rapid growth, particularly in developing countries, and the emergence of intense competition among countries to attract investments. Countries have grown more open to FDI as evidenced by FDI deregulation, generous financial investment incentives, and the adoption of international agreements. Although extensive research shows that multinational corporations prefer to invest in countries with strong property rights protections, whether incentives and international agreements help countries attract FDI remains contested. Scholars can advance research by disaggregating FDI into multinational firms' specific production activities because the scope for countries to compete for FDI and firms' sensitivity to property rights vary widely. More generally, scholars should recast the separate study of trade and FDI into the study of global production.
The effects of fabric for sleepwear and bedding on sleep at ambient temperatures of 17°C and 22°C

The fibers used in clothing and bedding have different thermal properties. This study aimed to investigate the influences of textile fabrics on sleep under different ambient temperature (Ta) conditions. Seventeen healthy young participants (ten males) underwent nine nights of polysomnography testing including an adaptation night. Participants were randomized to each of the three binary factors: sleepwear (cotton vs wool), bedding (polyester vs wool), and Ta (17°C vs 22°C with relative humidity set at 60%). Skin temperature (Tsk) and core temperature (Tc) were monitored throughout the sleep period. Sleep onset latency (SOL) was significantly shortened when sleeping in wool with trends of increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency compared to cotton sleepwear. At 17°C, the proportion of sleep stages 1 (%N1) and 3 (%N3) and rapid eye movement sleep was higher, but %N2 was lower than at 22°C. Interaction effects (sleepwear × Ta) showed a significantly shorter SOL for wool than cotton at 17°C but lower %N3 for wool than cotton at 22°C. A significantly lower %N2 but higher %N3 was observed for wool at 17°C than at 22°C. There was no bedding effect on sleep. Several temperature variables predicted the sleep findings in a stepwise multiple regression analysis and explained 67.8% of the variance in SOL and to a lesser degree the %N2 and %N3. These findings suggest that sleepwear played a contributory role to sleep outcomes and participants slept better at 17°C than at 22°C.
Unsteady turbulence in a tidal bore: field measurements in the Garonne River in October 2013

A tidal bore is an unsteady rapidly-varied free-surface flow generated by the rapid rise in water elevation during the early flood tide, when the tidal range exceeds 4.5 to 6 m and the channel bathymetry amplifies the flood tidal wave. This study describes a detailed field investigation conducted in the Garonne River (France). The tidal bore was undular on 19 October 2013 and the bore front was followed by some well-defined whelps. The instantaneous velocity data indicated large and rapid fluctuations of all velocity components during the tidal bore. Large Reynolds shear stresses were observed during and after the tidal bore passage. Altogether the investigation characterised some unusual turbulence transient in a large river system.
Alopecia mice derived from albino ddY mice: breeding, histological and ultrastructural studies

Abstract: Sparse‐haired (SH) mice arose spontaneously in a stock of sib‐mated albino ddY mice. Hair loss in the skin of SH mice begins at 3 weeks of age and progresses with age. On the basis of breeding studies between SH mice and albino ddY mice, the phenotype of SH mice is identified as autosomal recessive inheritance. Histological examination shows that numerous pilary canals begin to widen and the outer root sheath becomes thin at 1 week of age. The inner root sheath and the hair were separated. Ultrastructural examination reveals that electron dense materials which formed coalesced and irregularly coiled chains are seen at the level of firm attachment of the hair to its inner root sheath. At the level of hair and inner root sheath separation, linear materials with high electron density are observed in the exocuticle of the hair cuticle. These results suggest that the appearance of electron dense materials is closely related to the mechanism of hair loss in SH mice and SH mice may be useful as an animal model in human hypotrichosis.
Donor‐specific antibodies by flow single antigen beads in pediatric living donor kidney transplants: Single center experience

Abstract: Flow PRA and SAB are now routinely performed to identify HLA antibodies in the recipient sera. The presence of DSA is considered a risk factor for graft failure. However, this risk is not clearly defined. We reviewed all the pediatric recipients of living donor kidney transplants since Flow PRA and Flow SAB became routinely done at our institution. All children had negative CDC and Flow XMs. Comparison of clinical outcome was done between those with and without pretransplant DSA. Six children had positive DSA by Flow SAB. They received thymoglobulin, steroids, tacrolimus, and MMF. Five had anti‐HLA class I antibodies and one anti‐HLA class II. Only one child had an AR. Graft survival: 100% at last visit with GFR >70 mL/min/1.73 m2. A control group without DSA was used for comparison (n = 44). They received our standard protocol: basiliximab, tacrolimus, MMF, and steroids. AR rate was 9%. Both groups had similar follow‐up time, and patient and graft survival rates. In our small series, we saw excellent outcome despite the presence of DSA pretransplant. No unequivocal ideal to establish the ideal immunosuppressive regimen for this cohort of patients has been established and the long‐term outcome of these recipients has not been delineated.
Vasorelaxation by Red Blood Cells and Impairment in Diabetes: Reduced Nitric Oxide and Oxygen Delivery by Glycated Hemoglobin

Abstract— Vascular dysfunction in diabetes is attributed to lack of bioavailable nitric oxide (NO) and is postulated as a primary cause of small vessel complications as a result of poor glycemic control. Although it has been proposed that NO is bound by red blood cells (RBCs) and can induce relaxation of blood vessels distal to its site of production in the normal circulation, the effect of RBC glycation on NO binding and relaxation of hypoxic vessels is unknown. We confirm RBC-induced vessel relaxation is inversely related to tissue oxygenation and is proportional to RBC S-nitrosohemoglobin (HbSNO) content (but not nitrosylhemoglobin content). We show more total NO bound inside highly glycated RBCs (0.0134 versus 0.0119 NO/Hb, respectively; P <0.05) although proportionally less HbSNO (0.0053 versus 0.0088 NO/Hb, respectively; P <0.05). We also show glycosylation impairs the vasodilator function of RBCs within a physiological range of tissue oxygenation. These findings may represent an important contribution to reduced NO bioavailability in the microvasculature in diabetes.
Adhesion of Aeromonas hydrophila to water distribution system pipes after different contact times.

Scanning electron microscopy observation was used to investigate the ability of Aeromonas hydrophila to attach to various water distribution pipe surfaces, such as stainless steel, copper, and polybutylene, after different contact times at ambient and storage temperatures. Surface energy value of each surface was estimated by contact angle measurements using water, alpha-bromonaphthalene, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Our results indicated that Aeromonas cells could easily attach to all surface types after exposures as short as 1 or 4 h at both temperatures (4 and 20 degrees C). Polybutylene, a low-energy surface (41.2 mJ.m-2), followed by stainless steel (65.7 mJ.m-2), was most colonized by Aeromonas cells, whereas few cells were observed on copper, which has a surface energy of 45.8 mJ.m-2. Extracellular materials could also be observed on polybutylene surfaces, especially after 1 and 4 h of exposure at the refrigeration temperature.
Heat-induced conformational change and increased chaperone activity of lens alpha-crystallin.

PURPOSE Alpha-crystallin is the major structural protein of the eye lens known to have chaperone-like activity. Our objective is to elucidate the nature of the thermal transition that alpha-crystallin undergoes at 60 degrees C and the effect of this transition on the chaperone activity. METHODS FPLC size exclusion chromatography, far- and near-ultraviolet circular dichroism, and tryptophan (Trp) and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) fluorescence were used to study conformational change. Turbidity of dithiothreitol (DTT)-reduced insulin was used to study chaperone activity. RESULTS The thermal transition was identified as a conformational change in mainly tertiary (partial unfolding) and quaternary high-molecular-weight (HMW) aggregation structures, along with a loss of 10 percentage points of secondary structure (beta-sheet). Initial partial perturbation in tertiary structure increased chaperone activity, but the increase was less in the HMW aggregate. Similar results were observed in in vivo-formed HMW alpha-crystallin. CONCLUSIONS The conformational change and HMW aggregation of alpha-crystallin observed at 60 degrees C, as well as in vivo-formed HMW aggregates, increased chaperone activity.
The continuity of depression in clinical and nonclinical samples.

Historically, depression researchers have examined continuity in terms of whether the symptoms and characteristics of mild, moderate, and severe depression differ in degree along a continuum (i.e., a quantitative difference) or in kind (i.e., qualitative difference). The authors propose a differentiated framework that distinguishes 4 direct tests of continuity (i.e., phenomenological, typological, etiological, and psychometric continuity). They use this framework to suggest that most evidence is consistent with the continuity hypothesis. Moreover, they maintain that the findings of future research can be incorporated into a 2-factor model of depression that allows for both continuities and discontinuities.
Intestinal double‐positive CD4+CD8+ T cells are highly activated memory cells with an increased capacity to produce cytokines

Peripheral blood and intestinal CD4+CD8+ double‐positive (DP) T cells have been described in several species including humans, but their function and immunophenotypic characteristics are still not clearly understood. Here we demonstrate that DP T cells are abundant in the intestinal lamina propria of normal rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Moreover, DP T cells have a memory phenotype and are capable of producing different and/or higher levels of cytokines and chemokines in response to mitogen stimulation compared to CD4+ single‐positive T cells. Intestinal DP T cells are also highly activated and have higher expression of CCR5, which makes them preferred targets for simian immunodeficiency virus/HIV infection. Increased levels of CD69, CD25 and HLA‐DR, and lower CD62L expression were found on intestinal DP T cells populations compared to CD4+ single‐positive T cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that intestinal and peripheral blood DP T cells are effector cells and may be important in regulating immune responses, which distinguishes them from the immature DP cells found in the thymus. Finally, these intestinal DP T cells may be important target cells for HIV infection and replication due to their activation, memory phenotype and high expression of CCR5.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Mediates Negative Feedback to Somatotroph GH Expression via POU1F1/CREB Binding Protein Interactions

ABSTRACT Circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) has been shown to act as a negative feedback regulator of growth hormone (GH) gene expression; however, the mechanism of this negative feedback is poorly understood. Activation and regulation of GH gene expression require the binding of the transcription factor POU1F1 to the GH promoter along with cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP). We investigate the role of CBP as a target of IGF-1 somatotroph regulation using the MtT/S somatotroph cell line. IGF-1 significantly inhibits basal GH mRNA levels but not POU1F1 levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate inhibition of CBP binding to the GH promoter after IGF-1 treatment. We hypothesized that IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling disrupts the POU1F1/CBP complex to inhibit gene expression. In support, the use of a mutant CBP (S436A) construct, which lacks a critical phosphorylation site, leads to the loss of IGF-1 inhibition. The studies of CBP (S436A) knock-in mice show elevated serum GH levels, a greater response to GH releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulation along with lower weight gain, and decreased body fat. Our data confirm the inhibitory effects of IGF-1 on GH expression at the level of the promoter and provide evidence of CBP's role as a target of IGF-1R signaling.
A Pediatric Case of Toxic Hepatitis Induced by Hovenia Dulcis

Toxic hepatitis is a rare but devastating disease in children. Herbs are widely used in oriental medicine to treat various symptoms in Korea, however, several herbs have been reported to induce liver injury. We report a case of toxic hepatitis induced by Hovenia dulcis in a 3-year-old boy. He complained of nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. The patient had consumed water boiled with hovenia dulcis for about 1 year prior to presentation. A diagnosis of toxic hepatitis was made based on his history, laboratory data, viral markers, ultrasonography, and biopsied liver tissue. We administered supportive management for acute fulminant hepatitis but his symptoms and liver function progressed. He was transferred to another hospital for further evaluation and consideration for liver transplantation. Because acute liver failure due to herbs or dietary supplement taken for a long time is often fetal, it is important to make early diagnosis and stop taking the drug as soon as drug induced liver injury is suspected. (Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2012; 15: 111∼116)
Naturally Processed Non-canonical HLA-A*02:01 Presented Peptides*

Background: The impact of long epitopes on T-cell immunity remains unclear. Results: We identified and characterized 15-mer epitopes restricted to HLA-A*02:01. Conclusion: HLA-A*02:01, in addition to the HLA-B family, can bind long epitopes that represent new antigenic targets for CD8+ T-cells. Significance: The characterization of 15-mer epitopes restricted to HLA-A*02:01 expands our knowledge of the HLA-ligandome. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules generally present peptides (p) of 8 to 11 amino acids (aa) in length. Although an increasing number of examples with lengthy (>11 aa) peptides, presented mostly by HLA-B alleles, have been reported. Here we characterize HLA-A*02:01 restricted, in addition to the HLA-B*0702 and HLA-B*4402 restricted, lengthy peptides (>11 aa) arising from the B-cell ligandome. We analyzed a number of 15-mer peptides presented by HLA-A*02:01, and confirmed pHLA-I formation by HLA folding and thermal stability assays. Surprisingly the binding affinity and stability of the 15-mer epitopes in complex with HLA-A*02:01 were comparable with the values observed for canonical length (8 to 11 aa) HLA-A*02:01-restricted peptides. We solved the structures of two 15-mer epitopes in complex with HLA-A*02:01, within which the peptides adopted distinct super-bulged conformations. Moreover, we demonstrate that T-cells can recognize the 15-mer peptides in the context of HLA-A*02:01, indicating that these 15-mer peptides represent immunogenic ligands. Collectively, our data expand our understanding of longer epitopes in the context of HLA-I, highlighting that they are not limited to the HLA-B family, but can bind the ubiquitous HLA-A*02:01 molecule, and play an important role in T-cell immunity.