Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy and APOE Genotype Do Not Predict Cognitive Improvement upon Treatment with Rivastigmine in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

Background: Only a subgroup of subjects with probable AD shows cognitive improvement after treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. Objectives: To investigate whether atrophy of the medial temporal lobe and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype could predict cognitive improvement in subjects with probable AD treated with rivastigmine. Methods: 121 subjects with mild to moderate probable AD were treated for 26 weeks with escalating doses of rivastigmine. Outcome measures were change on the MMSE and the ADAS-Cog between baseline and follow-up and treatment response defined as at least 2 points improvement on the MMSE or at least 4 points improvement on the ADAS-Cog. The study was an open-label multi-centre study in the Netherlands. Results: Subjects with medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA) tended to show more decline on the MMSE after correction for age, sex, education, baseline cognitive score, and dosage at week 26 compared with subjects without MTLA (p = 0.08). A significant interaction between MTLA and dosage at week 26 existed for change on the MMSE and ADAS-Cog: subjects with MTLA showed more cognitive decline than subjects without MTLA only in the group of patients who received a low dosage at week 26. MTLA was not associated with treatment response. The APOE genotype was not associated with change on the MMSE or ADAS-Cog or with treatment response. Conclusions: MTLA and the APOE genotype are not clinically useful predictors of cognitive response in subjects with probable AD who are treated with rivastigmine.
Differences between enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from neonatal E. coli diarrhoea (N.C.D.) and post weaning diarrhoea (P.W.D.) in pigs.

Significant differences have been proved between strains of E. coli isolated from neonatal E. coli diarrhoea (N.C.D.) and post weaning diarrhoea (P.W.D.). The biochemical differences were pronounced in the criteria sucrose, dulcitol, adonitol and urease when comparing the total number of strains from the two syndromes. However, adonitol positive strains were only found among strains of the serogroup O 149:K91(B) of which all the N.C. D. strains were positive and only 8 of the 86 P.W. D. strains were adonitol fermenters. The dominant fermentation pattern of the N.C. D. strains were sucrose--, dulcitol--, urease--. Contrary the P.W. D. strains were sucrose +, dulcitol +, and 56.6 per cent urease + (Table III). In the possible plasmid determined characters significant differences were found in the ability to produce the K88 antigen and the colicins. The K88 antigen was demonstrated in 97.9 per cent of the N.C. D. strains and 6.2 per cent of the P.W. D. strains whereas 40.6 and 79.6% respectively were colicinogenic. In the serogroup O 149:K91(B) 90.7% of the P.W. D. strains and 47.6% of the N.C. D. strains produced colicins (Table V). The impairment of these features in the pathogenesis of neonatal E. coli diarrhoea, post weaning diarrhoea and the possible causality of the domination of the serogroup O 149:K91(B) is discussed. Furthermore it seems justified to relate the syndrome designation to the serotype of porcine enteropathogenic E. coli strains as it will be difficult to compare strains described from different research workers.
Obesity: the new childhood disability?

This review addresses the impact of obesity on paediatric physical functioning utilizing the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework (ICF). The ICF encompasses functioning (as it relates to all body functions and structures), activities (undertaking a particular task) and participation (in a life situation) with disability referring to impairments in body functions/structures, activity restrictions or participation limitations. Electronic databases were searched for peer‐reviewed studies published in English prior to May 2009 that examined aspects of physical functioning in children (≤18 years). Eligible studies (N = 104) were ranked by design and synthesized descriptively. Childhood obesity was found to be associated with deficits in function, including impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and performance of motor tasks; and there was some limited evidence of increased musculoskeletal pain and decrements in muscle strength, gait and balance. Health‐related quality of life and the subset of physical functioning was inversely related to weight status. However, studies investigating impacts of obesity on wider activity and participation were lacking. Further research utilizing the ICF is required to identify and better characterize the effects of paediatric obesity on physical function, activity and participation, thereby improving targets for intervention to reduce disability in this population.
INFLUENCED FACTORS OF E-MONEY ADOPTION

This research aims to identify the factors that influence the adoption of e-money in Yogyakarta, Jakarta and Surabaya. It also aims to test formed model of e-money adoption through some variables; perceived of usefulness, perceived ease of use. There are 300 people from Jakarta, Surabaya and Yogyakarta as research samples. Data analysis used here is Structural Equation Model (SEM). Research result shows that the factors which influenced e-money adoption are subjective norm, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. This model is able to clarify the connection among influenced factors of e-money adoption. The implication of the research result to the publisher who provide e-money is to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use factors, so it will gain more trust from every people to adopt e-money
Corruption, rule of law and government effectiveness: a co-integration approach to Sri Lanka

What is the impact of corruption on rule of law and government effectiveness? In most cases, researchers assume a positive relationship, which means more control of corruption is more likely lead to government effectiveness and strong rule of law principles. In other words, strong legal system and effective governments are more likely to control corruption. The argument is when there is effective corruption control measures, which tends to increase government effectiveness. However, recent theoretical developments and case evidence support mixed relationship between corruption and government effectiveness, and rule of law and government effectiveness. By using World Bank’s Worldwide Governance indicators’ data for Sri Lanka covering the period from 1996 to 2015, we find a significant and positive relationship between government effectiveness and control of corruption in the long run as well as in the short run. Even though rule of law does not have a significant impact on government effectiveness in the long run, it affects government effectiveness negatively in the short run. Further, granger causality test concludes that more government effectiveness can efficiently control the corruption, at the same time, if the government is capable enough to control the corruption then the government can be more effective. Similarly, if the government maintains strong legal system and adhere to key principles of rule of law which are more likely to make the government more effective.
Deletion of purE attenuates Brucella melitensis infection in mice

We previously showed that a purE mutant (delta purE201) of Brucella melitensis 16M is attenuated for growth in cultured human monocytes (E. S. Drazek, H. H. Houng, R. M. Crawford, T. L. Hadfield, D. L. Hoover, and R. L. Warren, Infect. Immun. 63:3297-3301, 1995). To determine if this strain is attenuated in animals, we compared the growth of the delta purE201 mutant with that of strain 16M in BALB/c mice. The number of bacteria in the spleen and spleen weight peaked for both strains between 1 and 2 weeks postinfection (p.i.), though the number of delta purE201 cells was significantly less than the number of 16M cells recovered from the spleens of infected mice. During the next 6 weeks, delta purE201 was essentially eliminated from infected mice (three of five mice sterile; < 100 CFU in two of live mice at 8 weeks p.i.), whereas bacteria persisted at a high level in the spleens of 16M-infected mice (about 106 CFU per spleen). The number of bacteria in the livers and lungs of mice infected with either strain paralleled those in the spleen. Mice infected with 16M had a strong inflammatory response, developing dramatic and prolonged splenomegaly (five to eight times normal spleen weight) and producing serum interleukin-6. In contrast, mice infected with delta purE201 developed only mild, transient splenomegaly at 1 week p.i. and produced no interleukin-6 in their serum. We further characterized the host response to infection by measuring changes in immune spleen cell populations by flow cytometry. CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocytes declined by I week in both experimental groups, while MAC-1-positive cells increased. T-cell subpopulations remained low or declined further, and MAC-1 cells increased to three times normal levels during 8 weeks of infection with 16M but returned to normal by 4 weeks after infection with delta purE201. These results document infectivity and attenuation of delta purE201 and suggest that it should be further evaluated as a potential vaccine.
Variations in the orthotic management of cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE Anecdotal reports that children with cerebral palsy were provided different orthoses in two adjacent UK health districts were investigated using an observational comparative case study. METHOD The populations were compared using an epidemiological register of children with cerebral palsy, which confirmed that a comparable health service response could be expected. Merging data from the register with the orthotic patient database facilitated comparison of the orthoses prescribed in each district. A survey questionnaire was used to gather the perceptions of clinicians in both districts to understand how each team decides which orthosis to prescribe. RESULTS There was considerable variation in the types of orthoses prescribed between districts, and particularly of ankle foot orthoses. Survey respondents from the same profession described having the same roles, although clinicians expressed different responsibilities for initiating and sanctioning orthotic prescriptions in their district programmes. The survey also suggested that most clinicians were uncertain when prescribing orthoses, and clinical practice was therefore largely determined by professional preference. CONCLUSION Defining the spectrum of activity limitation in geographically defined populations would enhance health services research and assist in the development of trials using different interventions to reduce those limitations.
Serum concentrations of dimeric inhibins, activin A, gonadotrophins and ovarian steroids during the menstrual cycle in older women.

The transition from regular ovarian cyclicity to menopause is associated with a rise in the circulating concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), despite the maintenance of serum oestradiol concentrations during the perimenopause. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of secretion of dimeric inhibins, activin A, gonadotrophins and steroids in regularly cycling women of 40-50 years with normal and raised early follicular phase serum FSH concentrations and young women (25-33 years) during the menstrual cycle. Blood samples were taken prospectively almost daily throughout the menstrual cycle. Women recruited were classified into three groups: (i) older women with normal FSH [(ON-FSH), day 3 FSH <8 mIU/ml, n = 10]; (ii) older women with raised FSH [(R-FSH), day 3 FSH >8 mIU/ml, n = 6] and (iii) young normal FSH (YN-FSH) women, age 25-32 years (n = 6). Cyclic patterns of serum inhibins and activin A were similar in the ON-FSH and YN-FSH groups. The R-FSH group had significantly lower concentrations of inhibin A prior to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and in the mid-luteal phase and lower concentrations of inhibin B in the early follicular phase compared with the ON-FSH group. Serum concentrations of activin A, progesterone and oestradiol were similar in all three groups. It is concluded from this study that the rise in early follicular phase serum FSH in older women is associated with a decrease in circulating concentrations of inhibin B in the early follicular phase. However, lower circulating concentrations of inhibin A in the luteal phase of the R-FSH group may also contribute to the rise in early follicular phase FSH concentrations during the menstrual cycle, although further studies with larger numbers are required to confirm this observation.
New Tests to Measure Individual Differences in Matching and Labelling Facial Expressions of Emotion, and Their Association with Ability to Recognise Vocal Emotions and Facial Identity

Although good tests are available for diagnosing clinical impairments in face expression processing, there is a lack of strong tests for assessing “individual differences” – that is, differences in ability between individuals within the typical, nonclinical, range. Here, we develop two new tests, one for expression perception (an odd-man-out matching task in which participants select which one of three faces displays a different expression) and one additionally requiring explicit identification of the emotion (a labelling task in which participants select one of six verbal labels). We demonstrate validity (careful check of individual items, large inversion effects, independence from nonverbal IQ, convergent validity with a previous labelling task), reliability (Cronbach’s alphas of.77 and.76 respectively), and wide individual differences across the typical population. We then demonstrate the usefulness of the tests by addressing theoretical questions regarding the structure of face processing, specifically the extent to which the following processes are common or distinct: (a) perceptual matching and explicit labelling of expression (modest correlation between matching and labelling supported partial independence); (b) judgement of expressions from faces and voices (results argued labelling tasks tap into a multi-modal system, while matching tasks tap distinct perceptual processes); and (c) expression and identity processing (results argued for a common first step of perceptual processing for expression and identity).
Current cat ownership may be associated with the lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and Japanese cedar pollinosis in schoolchildren in Himeji, Japan

The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between current pet ownership, passive smoking, and allergic diseases among the Japanese children. From 1995 to 2001, we distributed the Japanese edition of the questionnaire of the American Thoracic Society and the Division of Lung Diseases (ATS‐DLD) to survey allergic diseases among 35,552 6‐yr‐old children at primary school in the city of Himeji, Japan. We analyzed the data by multiple logistic regression and calculated adjusted odds ratios for environmental factors, including passive smoking and pet (dog and/or cat) ownership. There were no significant relationships between the prevalence of asthma and current pet ownership and passive smoking. However, current cat ownership was related to a significantly lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.93], allergic rhinitis (aOR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.57–0.89) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44–0.75). Strikingly, passive smoking was also related to a significantly lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.89) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (aOR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74–0.88). Current cat ownership was associated with a lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and Japanese cedar pollinosis. In addition, passive smoking was also associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and Japanese cedar pollinosis.
Substate Populism and the Challenge to the Centre in Post-Riot Asian Contexts

In this article, we introduce the concept of substate populism to account for dynamics in which populist speech is used to critique national elites for harming the interests of the ‘pure’ local people. We also identify three preconditions for substate populism: decentralisation, preexisting resentment or anxiety, and the capacity to dominate the local narrative. We explore the concept through a comparison of the frames used by Narendra Modi while serving as the chief minister of the state of Gujarat in India and Melis Myrzakmatov while serving as the mayor of Osh, Kyrgyzstan. We demonstrate that in both cases Modi and Myrzakmatov utilised substate populism following deadly ethnic riots to articulate local resentments, maintain popular support, and delegitimise external efforts to promote post-conflict reconciliation. We argue that through eradicating at least one of the three identified preconditions, a national government can undermine substate populism.
Crystal Structure of the T315I Mutant of Abl Kinase

Imatinib (Gleevec) is currently the frontline therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a disease characterized by the presence of a constitutively activated chimeric tyrosine kinase protein Bcr‐Abl. However, drug resistance often occurs at later stages of the disease, principally because of the occurrence of mutations in the kinase domain. Second generation Bcr‐Abl inhibitors, such as dasatinib and nilotinib are capable of inhibiting many imatinib‐resistant forms of the kinase but not the form in which threonine is mutated to isoleucine at the gatekeeper position (T315I). In this study, we present the crystal structure of the kinase domain of the c‐Abl T315I mutant, as well as the wild‐type form, in complex with a pyrrolopyridine inhibitor, PPY‐A. The side chain of Ile315 is accommodated in the Abl T315I mutant structure without large conformational changes proximal to the site of mutation. In contrast to other inhibitors, such as imatinib and dasatinib, PPY‐A does not occupy the hydrophobic pocket behind the gatekeeper residue. This binding mode, coupled with augmented contacts with the glycine‐rich loop, appears to be critical for its ability to override the T315I mutation. The data presented here may provide structural guidance for the design of clinically useful inhibitors of Bcr‐Abl T315I.
Performance Gaps, Peer Effects, and Comparative Behaviour: Empirical Evidence from Swedish Local Government

Abstract Centralized inspections face scepticism among local public managers, and voluntary evaluations have become a popular complement. This study uses the Swedish local government benchmarking programme (Kommunens Kvalitet i Korthet) to investigate what correlates with partaking in a benchmarking exercise empirically. This study finds evidence for temporal and spatial clustering: participants cluster geographically at an early stage of the exercise, new entrants tended to attach to existing clusters of participants rather than forming new clusters themselves. From event history analyses this study also finds that the proportion of participants among direct neighbours increases the conditional probability of entering the exercise. This suggests that public managers and local councils mimic the behaviour from nearby councils when it comes to the use of performance evaluations.
Operative treatment of tibial fractures in children: are elastic stable intramedullary nails an improvement over external fixation?

BACKGROUND Operative treatment of tibial fractures in children requires implants that do not violate open physes while maintaining tibial length and alignment. Both elastic stable intramedullary nails and external fixation can be utilized. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with these two techniques to determine if one is superior to the other. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the operative records and trauma registries of three institutions within our hospital system and identified thirty-five consecutive patients with open physes who had undergone operative treatment of a tibial fracture between April 1997 and June 2004. Four patients were excluded because they had been managed with locked intramedullary nails or with pins and plaster. Of the thirty-one remaining patients, sixteen had been managed with elastic stable intramedullary nails and fifteen had been managed with unilateral external fixation. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared. The functional outcomes were compared with use of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument. Complications related to treatment, such as malunion, delayed union, nonunion, infection, and the need for subsequent surgical treatment also were compared. RESULTS Thirty-one patients with thirty-one operatively treated tibial fractures were available for evaluation. Fifteen patients had been managed with external fixation. Seven of these patients had a closed fracture, and eight had an open fracture. There were seven healing complications in this group, including two delayed unions, three nonunions, and two malunions. Sixteen patients had been managed with elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Eleven patients had a closed fracture, and five had an open fracture. The mean time to union for the intramedullary nailing group (seven weeks) was significantly shorter than that for the external fixation group (eighteen weeks) (p < 0.01). The functional outcomes for the intramedullary nailing group were significantly better than those for the external fixation group in the categories of pain, happiness, sports, and global function (the mean of the mean scores of the first four categories) (p < 0.01 for these comparisons). CONCLUSIONS When surgical stabilization of tibial fractures in children is indicated, we believe that the preferred method of fixation is with elastic stable intramedullary nailing.
Caspase-3 Expression in Human Gastric Carcinoma and Its Clinical Significance

Objectives: Caspase-3 is one of the most important molecules in the apoptosis cascade, and the relationship between caspase-3 expression and prognosis has been reported in many types of malignancies. However, the involvement of caspase-3 in human gastric carcinoma is not fully understood. We evaluated caspase-3 expression in human gastric carcinoma to clarify the clinicopathological importance and investigated the apoptosis avoidance mechanism by an immunohistological method. Methods: Specimens from 151 patients who underwent gastrectomy at the Department of Surgery and Surgical Basic Science of Kyoto University Hospital were investigated. Caspase-3 expression in cancer cells was evaluated by comparing its expression in the germinal center of the lymphoid follicle, and was quantified as the caspase-3 expression index (C3EI). C3EI was compared with the expression of Bcl-2 and the TdT-mediated dUTP biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) in 80 randomly selected cases. Actual activation of caspase-3 was determined by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody that recognizes only activated caspase-3. Results: C3EI correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis (negative 105.5–78.7, positive 153.8 ± 66.1 p = 0.001) and the lower C3EI group had a better prognosis than the higher group (log-rank test, p = 0.0001). Cox multivariate analysis showed that age, operation curability, tumor invasion and C3EI were significant independent determinants of overall survival. Bcl-2 and TUNEL staining had no significant correlations with C3EI. Immunohistochemistry of activated caspase-3 revealed that most caspase-3 in gastric cancer cells was not activated, in accordance with TUNEL assay. Conclusions: Our results show that C3EI is a novel, independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer patients and cancer cells may avoid apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 activation.