Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Closed-Suction Drains on the Incidence of Local Wound Complications following Tissue Expander/Implant Reconstruction: A Cohort Study

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of drains on complications, including infection, seroma, and hematoma formation, in patients undergoing exchange of a temporary expander for a permanent breast implant. Methods: A review of all tissue expander/implant breast reconstructions performed at a single center from 1997 to 2004 was undertaken. Two patient cohorts were identified: patients who underwent exchange of their expander to a permanent implant with the use of closed-suction drains and patients who underwent the exchange procedure without the use of drains. The incidence of infection, seroma, and hematoma formation was determined for each cohort. Chi-square and two-sample t tests were performed for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results: A total of 2446 exchange procedures in 1863 patients were performed. In 1495 reconstructions (1165 patients), drains were placed after the exchange procedure; in 951 reconstructions (698 patients), no drains were used. There was no difference in the overall rate of complications following the exchange procedure with or without the use of drains (p = 0.886). Specifically, there was no difference in the incidence of infection necessitating implant removal in the presence of drains compared with that in the absence of drains (p = 0.585). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the rate of hematoma/seroma formation with or without the use of drains (p = 0.742). Conclusion: The use of periprosthetic, closed-suction drains after exchange of a temporary expander for a permanent breast implant does not affect the incidence of perioperative complications, including infection, seroma, and hematoma formation.
Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in Southern and Central Spain does not originate from recent foreign migration waves

Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV‐4) is highly prevalent in Spain, but the information on the molecular characterization of HCV‐4 in this region is scarce. Due to this, the molecular characteristics and the evolution of HCV‐4 infection in Seville were analyzed (Southern Spain) and compared them with samples from Madrid. HCV genotype was determined by LIPA 2.0 assay and confirmed by sequence analysis of NS5B. Phylogenetic tree was estimated by MEGA 5.10. Bayesian coalescent‐based methods were used to estimate the substitution rate and the age of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA). In the phylogenetic analysis of 50 NS5B HCV‐4 from Seville and 11 from Madrid, 2 clusters were distinguished: The first cluster (HCV‐4a) included 48% of the sequences from Seville and 9% of sequences from Madrid. The second cluster included the remaining sequences belonging to HCV‐4d. The mean estimated substitution rate was 2.39 × 10−3 for HCV‐4a and 1.81 × 10−3 for HCV‐4d for Seville and 2.32 × 10−3 for HCV‐4d from Madrid. The date for MRCA was estimated to be around 1981–1984 for HCV‐4 from Seville. The dates for MRCA were dated before the recent flow of immigration in Spain. Therefore, the results presented in this study argues against the possibility of a foreign introduction of the HCV‐4 from other regions with high prevalence, at least during the last two, decades in which there was a great flow of immigrants. Additionally, an unusual high prevalence of subtype 4a was observed in Seville. J Med. Virol. 85:1734–1740, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aldolase C‐positive cerebellar Purkinje cells are resistant to delayed death after cerebral trauma and AMPA‐mediated excitotoxicity

The cerebellum has been shown to be vulnerable to global ischemic damage in tightly controlled zones of Purkinje cells (PCs) that lack aldolase C, an enzyme critical for glycolysis. Here, we investigated whether aldolase C‐negative PCs were more likely to die after cerebral trauma in vivo, and whether this death was mediated by excitotoxic [α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA)‐mediated] means in vitro. Mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact, or remained uninjured, and were killed at 6 h, 24 h or 7 days after injury. Cerebellar sections (both ipsilateral and contralateral to the site of cerebral injury) were stained against aldolase C and calbindin (a marker of PCs). The number of viable, calbindin‐positive PCs decreased significantly at 24 h and 7 days after injury, and the percentage of surviving, aldolase C‐positive PCs significantly increased at those time‐points. In addition, we subjected murine cerebellar cultures to AMPA (30 µm, 20 min), which killed a significant number of PCs at 24 h post‐treatment. A similar number of PCs was lost after transfection with aldolase C siRNA, and this effect was exacerbated in transfected cultures treated with AMPA. The results from the present study indicate that aldolase C provides marked neuroprotection to PCs after trauma and excitotoxicity.
Effects of a Preload on Reduction of Food Intake by GLP-1 in Healthy Subjects

Background/Aims: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) inhibits food intake in animals and humans. Whether GLP-1 interacts with other satiety signals to modulate food intake is unknown. We investigated therefore in healthy volunteers the potential interactions of GLP-1 with signals from the stomach in regulating food intake. Methods: Three sequential, double-blind, crossover studies were performed in male subjects: (1) 12 subjects underwent four experiments (preloads) 20 min before meal intake; (2) 12 volunteers received intravenous (i.v.) GLP-1 (0.9 pmol/kg/min) or saline; (3) subjects received i.v. GLP-1 or saline (control) together with a preload of either 400 ml water or 400 ml protein shake. The effect of these treatments on food intake and feelings of hunger was quantified. Subjects were free to eat and drink as much as they wished. Results: GLP-1 induced a reduction in food and calorie intake (p < 0.005) compared to controls. If combined with a protein preload, the inhibitory effect of GLP-1 on food intake was markedly increased (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a decrease in hunger feelings and an increase in satiety feelings was documented. Conclusion: GLP-1 interacts with signals from the stomach to modulate energy intake in humans. The signal is only initiated by nutrient-based distension, but not with gastric distension of the fundus alone.
Worker Flows and Labour Market Adjustment During the Great Recession: Evidence from a Large Shock

This paper analyzes how the labor market adjusts to the Great Recession. To this aim, we use the data for Latvia, a country that has experienced one of the most severe recessions in Europe and a subsequent remarkable recovery. Employing longitudinal EU SILC data and a panel data set constructed by us from various waves of the Latvian Labour Force Survey (LLFS), we estimate worker transitions between labor market states. Labor market adjustment takes place predominantly at the extensive margin since it is driven by flows from permanent wage employment to unemployment. We also show that older, non-Latvian and above all less skilled workers are especially hard hit by the economic crisis. Estimated transitions between four mutually exclusive occupational groups demonstrate that downward mobility is very limited even during the Great Recession. Finally, wage regressions suggest that job mobility is not associated with increased labour productivity during and immediately after the crisis.
DNA Unwinding by Escherichia coli DNA Helicase I (TraI) Provides Evidence for a Processive Monomeric Molecular Motor*

The F plasmid TraI protein (DNA helicase I) plays an essential role in conjugative DNA transfer as both a transesterase and a helicase. Previous work has shown that the 192-kDa TraI protein is a highly processive helicase, catalytically separating >850 bp under steady-state conditions. In this report, we examine the kinetic mechanism describing DNA unwinding of TraI. The kinetic step size of TraI was measured under both single turnover and pre-steady-state conditions. The resulting kinetic step-size estimate was ∼6-8 bp step-1. TraI can separate double-stranded DNA at a rate of ∼1100 bp s-1, similar to the measured unwinding rate of the RecBCD helicase, and appears to dissociate very slowly from the 3′ terminus following translocation and strand-separation events. Analyses of pre-steady-state burst amplitudes indicate that TraI can function as a monomer, similar to the bacteriophage T4 helicase, Dda. However, unlike Dda, TraI is a highly processive monomeric helicase, making it unique among the DNA helicases characterized thus far.
Dungine: A Java Dung Reasoner

Dungine is an open source Argumentation Engine and API implemented in the Java programming language. Dungine uses argument games to evaluate the acceptability of an argument given a constellation of arguments under grounded (sceptical) and preferred credulous semantics. Existing argumentation engines all rely on a companion logic programming language. These companion languages represent a barrier to integrating an engine into existing software as developers must translate their system into the companion logic programming language. Dungine is liberal in its notion of an Argument and this flexible approach overcomes this barrier, and makes integrating argumentation based reasoning into existing software comparatively easy. To demonstrate the usefulness of this approach, and its ease of application, we describe an integration of Dungine with Araucaria-an open source argument mapping tool.
Novel Dual-Resonant and Dual-Polarized Frequency Selective Surface Using Eight-Legged Element and Its Experimental Verification

In this paper, an eight-legged resonant element is proposed for a multiband and dual-polarized frequency selective surface (FSS). The FSS element has two resonant frequencies for constructing two reflection bands, of which the separation can be easily controlled by adjusting the shape of the element. The flexibility is demonstrated by the simulated results of transmission responses for various geometrical parameters. And it is shown that introducing resonant-grid and closely-packing techniques can improve the reflection bandwidth. Finally, the good agreement between the measured and the calculated results proves that the eight-legged element is useful for the design of a multiband FSS.
Efficacy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rapid diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis infection

We examined the diagnostic efficacy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for class-specific antibodies to Bordetella pertussis in acute-phase sera collected from 1,240 patients with suspected pertussis. A total of 833 serum specimens (67%) yielded positive results. The proportion of positive results increased to 77% if a second (convalescent-phase) serum was also tested. By comparison, a bacterial agglutination test for B. pertussis antibodies was positive in only 21% of acute-phase specimens and 50% of paired specimens. The high proportion of acute-phase sera which were ELISA positive indicates that a measurable serologic response has usually occurred by the time the diagnosis is suspected. Thus, the ELISA is potentially the most rapid means of laboratory confirmation of B. pertussis infection.
The off-break and “doosra”: Kinematic variations of elite and sub-elite bowlers in creating ball spin in cricket bowling

This study sought to identify kinematic differences in finger-spin bowling actions required to generate variations in ball speed and spin between different playing groups. A 12-camera Vicon system recorded the off-spin bowling actions of six elite and 13 high-performance spin bowlers, and the “doosra” actions of four elite and two high-performance players. Forearm abduction and fixed elbow flexion in the bowling arm were higher for the elite players compared with the high-performance players. The elite bowlers when compared with the high-performance players delivered the off-break at a statistically significant higher velocity (75.1 and 67.1 km/hr respectively) and with a higher level of spin (26.7 and 22.2 rev/s respectively). Large effect sizes were seen between ball rotation, pelvic and shoulder alignment rotations in the transverse plane. Elbow extension was larger for elite bowlers over the period upper arm horizontal to ball release. Compared to the off-break, larger ranges of shoulder horizontal rotation, elbow and wrist extension were evident for the “doosra”. Furthermore, the “doosra” was bowled with a significantly longer stride length and lower ball release height. Although not significantly different, moderate to high effect size differences were recorded for pelvis rotation, elbow extension and elbow rotation ranges of motion.
Binding of the Human Complement Regulators CFHR1 and Factor H by Streptococcal Collagen-like Protein 1 (Scl1) via Their Conserved C Termini Allows Control of the Complement Cascade at Multiple Levels*

Group A streptococci (GAS) utilize soluble human complement regulators to evade host complement attack. Here, we characterized the binding of the terminal complement complex inhibitor complement Factor H-related protein 1 (CFHR1) and of the C3 convertase regulator Factor H to the streptococcal collagen-like proteins (Scl). CFHR1 and Factor H, but no other member of the Factor H protein family (CFHR2, CFHR3, or CFHR4A), bound to the two streptococcal proteins Scl1.6 and Scl1.55, which are expressed by GAS serotypes M6 and M55. The two human regulators bound to the Scl1 proteins via their conserved C-terminal attachment region, i.e. CFHR1 short consensus repeats 3–5 (SCR3–5) and Factor H SCR18–20. Binding was affected by ionic strength and by heparin. CFHR1 and the C-terminal attachment region of Factor H did not bind to Scl1.1 and Scl2.28 proteins but did bind to intact M1-type and M28-type GAS, which express Scl1.1 and Scl2.28, respectively, thus arguing for the presence of an additional binding mechanism to CFHR1 and Factor H. Furthermore mutations within the C-terminal heparin-binding region and Factor H mutations that are associated with the acute renal disease atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome blocked the interaction with the two streptococcal proteins. Binding of CFHR1 affected the complement regulatory functions of Factor H on the level of the C3 convertase. Apparently, streptococci utilize two types of complement regulator-acquiring surface proteins; type A proteins, as represented by Scl1.6 and Scl1.55, bind to CFHR1 and Factor H via their conserved C-terminal region and do not bind the Factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1). On the contrary, type B proteins, represented by M-, M-like, and the fibronectin-binding protein Fba proteins, bind Factor H and FHL-1 via domain SCR7 and do not bind CFHR1. In conclusion, binding of CFHR1 is at the expense of Factor H-mediated regulatory function at the level of C3 convertase and at the gain of a regulator that controls complement at the level of the C5 convertase and formation of the terminal complement complex.
Clinical Characteristics and Biotransformation of Sevoflurane in Healthy Human Volunteers

Sevoflurane was submitted to phase-1 studies in man following extensive testing in animal species without evidence of toxicity. Sevoflurane, 2–3 per cent inspired during maintenance, was administered with oxygen to produce one hour of anesthesia in six healthy adult male volunteers. Respiratory and cardiovascular functions, the electroencephalogram, arterial blood gases, blood sevoflurane, inorganic fluoride and total, nonvolatile fluorine concentrations, and inspired and mixed expired sevoflurane concentrations were measured during exposure. Concentrations of expired sevoflurane, blood and urinary fluoride, and total nonvolatile fluorine metabolites were also measured after anesthesia. During exposure spontaneous respiratory frequency increased 28 per cent, respiratory minute volume changed insignificantly, and Paco2s averaged 50 torr. Pao2s remained near 400 torr. Arterial systolic blood pressure declined an average of 17 per cent. Pulse rate changed insignificantly. After an hour of exposure arterial blood serum inorganic fluoride concentrations averaged 22 μM and plasma nonvolatile organic fluorine concentrations averaged 9.1 mg/l, or 61.3 μM. Uptakes of sevoflurane averaged 94 (±63 SD) mmol. Following exposure 37 (±12) mmol of unaltered sevoflurane were estimated to be excreted in exhaled air and 0.90 mmol of inorganic fluoride and 163 mg, or 1.43 (±0.26) mmol of organic fluorine were excreted in the urine. Recoveries in exhaled air and urine averaged 51.5 (±2.4) per cent of uptake. There was no significant drug-exposure-related change in the chest radiogram, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, urinalysis results, complete blood count, prothrombin time, serum electrolytes, transaminases, or hepatic and renal functions during four weeks following exposure compared with preexposure values. Sevoflurane produced anesthesia of excellent quality; it appears to undergo limited biotransformation and to have little or no systemic toxicity.
Purification and cDNA Cloning of a Human UDP-N-acetyl-α- D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (*)

A UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-transferase) from human placenta was purified to apparent homogeneity using a synthetic acceptor peptide as affinity ligand. The purified GalNAc-transferase migrated as a single band with an approximate molecular weight of 52,000 by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on a partial amino acid sequence, the cDNA encoding the transferase was cloned and sequenced from a cDNA library of a human cancer cell line. The cDNA sequence has a 571-amino acid coding region indicating a protein of 64.7 kDa with a type II domain structure. The deduced protein sequence showed significant similarity to a recently cloned bovine polypeptide GalNAc-transferase (Homa, F. L., Hollanders, T., Lehman, D. J., Thomsen, D. R., and Elhammer, Å. P.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12609-12616). A polymerase chain reaction construct was expressed in insect cells using a baculovirus vector. Northern analysis of eight human tissues differed clearly from that of the bovine GalNAc-transferase. Polymerase chain reaction cloning and sequencing of the human version of the bovine transferase are presented, and 98% similarity at the amino acid level was found. The data suggest that the purified human GalNAc-transferase is a novel member of a family of polypeptide GalNAc-transferases, and a nomenclature GalNAc-T1 and GalNAc-T2 is introduced to distinguish the members.
Artemin promotes oncogenicity, metastasis and drug resistance in cancer cells

Abstract Artemin (ARTN) is a member of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands, and its signaling is mediated via a multi-component receptor complex including the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored GDNF family receptors a (GFRa1, GFRa3) and RET receptor tyrosine kinase. The major mechanism of ARTN action is via binding to a non-signaling co-receptor. The major function of ARTN is to drive the molecule to induce migration and axonal projection from sympathetic neurons. It also promotes the survival, proliferation and neurite outgrowth of sympathetic neurons in vitro. ARTN triggers oncogenicity and metastasis by the activation of the AKT signaling pathway. Recent studies have reported that the expression of ARTN in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with increased tumor size, quick relapse and shorter survival. Furthermore, ARTN promotes drug resistance such as antiestrogens, doxorubicin, fulvestrant, paclitaxel, tamoxifen and trastuzumab. Moreover, ARTN also stimulates the radio-therapeutic resistance. This review highlights the proposed roles of ARTN in cancer cells and discusses recent results supporting its emerging role as an oncogenic, metastatic and drug-resisting agent with a special focus on how these new insights may facilitate rational development of ARTN for targeted therapies in the future.
Molecular systematics of the suborder Trogiomorpha (Insecta: Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’)

Phylogenetic relationships among extant families in the suborder Trogiomorpha (Insecta: Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’) were inferred from partial sequences of the nuclear 18S rDNA and Histone 3 and mitochondrial 16S rDNA genes. Analyses of these data produced trees that largely supported the traditional classification; however, monophyly of the infraorder Psocathropetae (= Psyllipsocidae + Prionoglarididae) was not recovered. Instead, the family Psyllipsocidae was recovered as the sister taxon to the infraorder Atropetae (= Lepidopsocidae + Trogiidae + Psoquillidae), and the Prionoglarididae was recovered as sister to all other families in the suborder. Character states previously used to diagnose Psocathropetae are shown to be plesiomorphic. The sister group relationship between Psyllipsocidae and Atropetae was supported by two morphological apomorphies: the presence of a paraproctal anal spine and an anteriorly opened phallosome. Based on these sequence data and morphological observations, we propose a new classification scheme for the Trogiomorpha as follows: infraorder Prionoglaridetae (Prionoglarididae), infraorder Psyllipsocetae (Psyllipsocidae), infraorder Atropetae (Lepidopsocidae, Trogiidae, Psoquillidae). © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 146, 287–299.
Mean platelet volume for distinguishing between inherited thrombocytopenias and immune thrombocytopenia

evidence of disease at the last follow-up (Table I). We encountered a patient with Fanconi anaemia and Chiari malformation, as reported by Deepak Amalnath et al (2012), and three RCC patients without any features of Fanconi anaemia who also had Chiari malformation. Although the association of Chiari malformation and haematological disorders in our patients may be coincidental, common genetic abnormalities may cause these two rare diseases. Further investigation is required to elucidate the pathogenesis of these conditions. We suggest that patients with Fanconi anaemia, as well as those with RCC, should undergo routine evaluation using head magnetic resonance imaging.