Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identical expression of ELAM‐1, VCAM‐1, and ICAM‐1 in sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonitis

Extravasation of leucocytes in tissues is mediated by leucocyte—endothelial cell interactions in which adhesion molecules play an important role. Until now, two pathways have been unravelled, i.e., the LFA‐1/ICAM‐1 and the VLA‐4/VCAM‐1 pathways. ELAM‐1 has been shown to be involved in granulocyte accumulation and recently also in lymphocyte migration. The role of HECA‐452 is under investigation. In this study we have investigated the expression of the above‐mentioned adhesion molecules in lung tissue of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), and in mediastinal lymph nodes of patients with sarcoidosis. ICAM‐1 (CD54) was broadly distributed on the endothelium of all the vessels found in sarcoidosis and UIP. VCAM‐1 was present on the endothelium of the venules, capillaries, and arterioles in both sarcoidosis and UIP. ELAM‐1 reacted with endothelial cells lining venules and capillaries in chronic progressive sarcoidosis and in the active phase of UIP but not in the stationary phases of both diseases. HECA‐452 activity could be detected only on high endothelial venules within sarcoid lymph nodes. In lung tissues, macrophages bearing the ICAM‐1 antigen were present in sarcoid tissue but not in the interstitium and alveolar space of UIP. LFA‐1 (CD11a/CD18) and VLA‐4 (CD49d/CD29) were present on all leucocytes found but seemed to be more highly expressed on lymphocytes in sarcoidosis. These findings suggest that the LFA‐1/ICAM‐1 and VLA‐4/VCAM‐1 pathways are involved in leucocyte migration in both types of lung disease, while in the active phases of sarcoidosis and UIP, ELAM‐1 is also involved.
Identification of the sex chromosome pair in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): lack of conservation of the sex linkage group with chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a probe to the male-specific GH-Y (growth hormone pseudogene) was used to identify the Y chromosome in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). The sex chromosome pair is morphologically similar to chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with the GH-Y localized to the small short arm of the largest subtelocentric chromosome pair. FISH experiments with probes containing sex-linked genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (SCAR163) and chinook salmon (Omy7INRA) showed that the coho sex linkage group is different from chinook and rainbow trout and this was confirmed by segregation analysis for the Omy7INRA locus. The telomeric location of the SEX locus, the presence of shared male-specific markers in coho and chinook salmon, and the lack of conservation of sex-linkage groups suggest that transposition of a small male-specific region may have occurred repeatedly in salmonid fishes of the genus Oncorhynchus.
Neurosecretory cells without neurosecretion: evidence of an independently regulated trait of the cell phenotype

Neurosecretion competence is a fundamental property that enables differentiated neurones and professional neurosecretory cells to store neurotransmitters and hormones in specialized organelles, the synaptic‐like vesicles and dense granules, and to release them by regulated exocytosis. In our laboratory, the study of rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) clones that fail to express the above organelles or any other components involved in neurosecretion, whilst maintaining most of the general markers of the parental population, has served to demonstrate that this trait is controlled independently from the rest of the phenotype. The present review focuses on recent advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing neurosecretion competence. Moreover, the opportunities that such neurosecretion‐defective PC12 clones offer for the investigation of new aspects of regulated exocytosis and the localization of its components are summarized.
Processing the nonstructural polyproteins of sindbis virus: nonstructural proteinase is in the C-terminal half of nsP2 and functions both in cis and in trans

The processing of the Sindbis virus nonstructural polyprotein translated in vitro has been studied. When Sindbis virus genomic RNA was translated in a reticulocyte lysate, polyprotein P123 was cleaved efficiently to produce nsP1, nsP2, and nsP3. Inhibition of this processing by anti-nsP2 antibodies, but not by antibodies specific for nsP1, nsP3, or nsP4, suggested that the viral proteinase was present in nsP2. To localize the proteolytic activity more precisely, deletions were made in a full-length cDNA clone of Sindbis virus, and RNA was transcribed from these constructs with SP6 RNA polymerase and translated in vitro. Although virtually all of the nsP1, nsP3, and nsP4 sequences could be deleted without affecting processing, deletions in the N-terminal half of nsP2 led to aberrant processing, and deletions in the C-terminal half abolished proteolysis. However, inactive polyproteins containing the nsP2 deletions could be processed by exogenously supplied proteins translated from virion RNA, demonstrating that cleavage was virus specific and not due to a protease present in the reticulocyte lysate and that the deleted polyproteins still served as substrates for the enzyme. From these results and from experiments in which processing was studied at increasingly higher dilution, we have concluded the following: (i) the viral nonstructural proteinase is located in the C-terminal half of nsP2; (ii) in the P123 precursor the cleavage between nsP2 and nsP3 occurs efficiently as a bimolecular reaction (in trans) to remove nsP3, while the bond between nsP1 and nsP2 is cleaved inefficiently, but detectably, in trans, but no autoproteolysis of P123 was detected; (iii) once nsP3 has been removed, the bond between nsP1 and nsP2 in the P12 precursor is cleaved efficiently by autoproteolysis (in cis). This mode of processing leads to a slow rate of cleavage, particularly early in infection, suggesting that the polyproteins might play roles in virus RNA replication distinct from those of the cleaved products. A hypothesis is presented that the proteinase is a thiol protease related to papain.
Factors influencing publication of research results. Follow-up of applications submitted to two institutional review boards.

OBJECTIVE --To investigate factors associated with the publication of research findings, in particular, the association between "significant" results and publication. DESIGN --Follow-up study. SETTING --Studies approved in 1980 or prior to 1980 by the two institutional review boards that serve The Johns Hopkins Health Institutions--one that serves the School of Medicine and Hospital and the other that serves the School of Hygiene and Public Health. POPULATION --A total of 737 studies were followed up. RESULTS --Of the studies for which analyses had been reported as having been performed at the time of interview, 81% from the School of Medicine and Hospital and 66% from the School of Hygiene and Public Health had been published. Publication was not associated with sample size, presence of a comparison group, or type of study (eg, observational study vs clinical trial). External funding and multiple data collection sites were positively associated with publication. There was evidence of publication bias in that for both institutional review boards there was an association between results reported to be significant and publication (adjusted odds ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.63 to 3.94). Contrary to popular opinion, publication bias originates primarily with investigators, not journal editors: only six of the 124 studies not published were reported to have been rejected for publication. CONCLUSION --There is a statistically significant association between significant results and publication.
A segmentation analysis of participants’ preferences in the selection of an ecotourism-training course

ABSTRACT The current study is the first exploratory study of participants’ preferences in selecting an ecotourism-training course. Three hundred and seventy-two completed questionnaires were received from participants in an ecotourism-training programme in Hong Kong. The results illustrate that the participants were primarily concerned with the content of the courses, whereas friends’ recommendations were of minor importance. This empirical finding indicates that the preferences that govern the selection of ecotourism courses are somewhat different from those that govern the selection of other types of vocational or academic training programmes. Three clusters were identified based on the identified participants’ preferences, namely ‘reputation seeking’, ‘good value seeking’, and ‘want-it-all’. These clusters exhibit different demographic characteristics and preferences that can inform training organisations in formulating suitable marketing strategies for targeted groups.
Quality of life among elderly population residing in urban field practice area of a tertiary care institute of Ahmedabad city, Gujarat

Introduction: Overall improvement in the living standards of country's population is leading to longer life expectancy. To emphasize the medical and psychological difficulties faced by geriatric people is essential to know status of their quality of life (QOL). Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out at urban field practice area of one of the teaching institutes of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Considering the prevalence of about 7.5% of 60 years and above people sample size of 250 was calculated. A predesigned questionnaire related to the QOL of elderly people devised by the World Health Organization-QOL was used. Results: Mean age of the study population was 65.8 years with standard deviation of 5 years. Almost two-thirds of geriatrics were currently married and having spouse alive. List of common morbidities observed among study population was joint pain (42.8%), cataract (32.8%), hypertension (22.4%), diabetes mellitus (17.2%), and dental problems (12.4%). Scoring of QOL profile revealed that none of the geriatric had poor QOL, whereas 56% fall into category “good” and 50.8% had “excellent” QOL. QOL as per four different domains was significantly better among males as compared to females. Physical, environmental, and psychological domains were better in those who were educated and married individuals living with their spouse. Conclusion: Overall QOL was good to excellent. Social characteristics, such as education, marital status, and gender, all play role for the perceived QOL among the respondents.
Prefrontal Cortex Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Does not Change Local Diffusion: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study in Patients With Depression

ObjectiveTo determine whether transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex produces pathologic changes or leakage of the blood-brain barrier in patients with depression by using apparent diffusion coefficient magnetic resonance imaging. BackgroundTranscranial magnetic stimulation is a new technology for noninvasively stimulating the brain. It appears to be a relatively safe technique, with some important exceptions. Its neurobiologic mechanisms of action are poorly understood. One theory to explain its apparent antidepressant effects involves a potential change in local blood-brain barrier settings, allowing passage of peripheral substances directly into brain parenchyma. Knowing whether transcranial magnetic stimulation changes local brain diffusion is important as well from a safety perspective. To test whether transcranial magnetic stimulation changes local brain diffusion, we used apparent diffusion coefficient magnetic resonance imaging in depressed patients undergoing interleaved transcranial magnetic stimulation/functional magnetic resonance imaging over the left prefrontal cortex. MethodsWithin a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner, 14 depressed patients were stimulated with a figure-eight transcranial magnetic stimulation coil over the left prefrontal cortex. Apparent diffusion coefficient magnetic resonance imaging was acquired before, and immediately after, 1 Hertz transcranial magnetic stimulation (147 stimuli) intermittently delivered at a motor threshold of more than 7.35 minutes. Phase maps of the transcranial magnetic stimulation magnetic fields were used to guide region-of-interest placement. ResultsNo significant qualitative apparent diffusion coefficient differences were observed before and after 1 Hertz transcranial magnetic stimulation underneath the coil. ConclusionsOne Hertz transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as applied in this study did not result in pathologic changes or leakage of the blood-brain barrier in patients with depression. If prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation at these usage parameters changes local diffusion, it is not an obvious or large effect.
Perspectives of National Coordinators and Partners on the Work of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

ABSTRACT Purpose: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect people living in the poorest regions of the world and their debilitating effects perpetuate the poverty cycle. Understanding the distribution of NTDs is crucial for effective intervention delivery. In 2012, the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) was initiated to map >1800 suspected trachoma endemic districts by March 2015. This research was carried out to better understand the implementation experience and identify lessons which might inform the GTMP and similar initiatives. Methods: Using grounded theory methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants from six countries with 63% of the global mapping backlog (Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Solomon Islands, and Yemen). Interviews were transcribed, coded, and findings separated into categories. Results: Three themes were identified during the research; planning and operations, technical implementation, and governance. The project was felt to be most successful in countries where the Ministry of Health was actively engaged in setting standards, ensuring capacity building for government staff, and guiding the training, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Standardized tools, training platforms, and the use of electronic data capture increased confidence in the reliability of the survey data, informed quality improvement efforts within survey implementation, and the immediate release of results empowered end-user decision-makers. Regional collaboration between endemic countries bolstered program manager competence and confidence, while reinforcing partnerships essential to the success of the GTMP. Conclusions: We depict how innovative characteristics of the GTMP, and lessons learned from its implementation, can strengthen similar initiatives to map disease prevalence and risk factors.
Paravertebral malignant rhabdoid tumor in infancy in vitro studies of a familial tumor

Two female siblings died within three months after presenting with paravertebral tumors in the first year of life. The pathology of the two tumors was identical and characteristic of a malignant rhabdoid tumor. There were no identifiable tumor patterns within the kindred which have been associated with any hereditary cancer or precancer syndromes. Fibroblasts were cultured from skin biopsies obtained from the second patient and both parents. Assays of growth kinetics associated with cellular transformation revealed that fibroblasts from the affected sibling can be distinguished from those of the parents and age‐matched controls by increased in vitro occurrence of tetraploidy. Such evidence suggests that increased in vitro tetraploidy occurring spontaneously in cultured fibroblasts is an expression of a cancer‐prone gene. Increased in vitro tetraploidy has previously been demonstrated in some kindreds with heritable colon cancer syndromes, and may extend our understanding of the genetic etiology of some childhood cancers. Cancer 52:290‐296, 1983.
Farmers’ perception, awareness and adaptation to climate change: evidence from northwest Vietnam

Purpose This study aims to examine the extent to which farmers are aware of climate change and how they have modified their growing practices in response to perceived climate changes. Design/methodology/approach A logit model was used to explore farmers’ awareness and a binary logistic model was used to analyze their adaptive responses. Data from 335 farm households were collected from three provinces of Northwest Vietnam with different climate change vulnerability. Findings Farmers’ awareness of climate change was related significantly to household and farm characteristics. Farm experience, education level, location, tenancy status, soil fertility, access to credit, climate information, agricultural extension services, farmer groups, non-agriculture income, distance to market and house and climate change experience influence adaptation measure choices. Research limitations/implications These findings suggest that investment strategies must promote adaptation to climate change by supporting technological and institutional methods, such as education, markets, credit and information. Originality/value This study is the first study that uses econometric models to analyze farmers’ perception effect and adaptation to climate change aspect in Northwest Vietnam
Hepatic impairment induced by scrub typhus is associated with new onset of renal dysfunction.

BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. There is little attention given to hepatic impairment in the adults with scrub typhus. This study investigated the incidence and the prognostic implications of hepatic impairment in patients with scrub typhus. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a total of 143 adult patients with scrub typhus who were admitted between January 1999 and December 2010 in Guangdong province, China. The patients were divided into three groups, e.g., normal, mild, and moderate to severe groups based on the elevated serum ALT and/or total bilirubin levels. Furthermore, clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patient groups were compared. RESULTS 109 patients (76.2%) had abnormal liver function. Among the patients with hepatic impairment 45 cases (31.4%), 54 cases (37.8%), and 10 cases (7.0%) had mild, moderate, and severe hepatic damage, respectively. The moderate to severe hepatic impairment group had higher levels of serum creatinine compared with that of normal hepatic function. The incidence of new onset of renal dysfunction - defined as peak serum creatinine > or = 176 micromol/L during hospital stay with no evidence of renal disease prior hospitalization - was 0% in the mild hepatic impairment group, 8.9% in the moderate hepatic impairment group, and 21.9% in the severe hepatic impairment group, (p = 0.005 for trend). Additionally, the patients with hepatic impairment (n = 109) had higher incidences of episodes of thrombocytopenia (45.9% vs. 8.82%, p < 0.001), hypoalbuminemia (50.5% vs. 11.8%, p < 0.001), new onset of renal dysfunction (16.5% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.011), and electrocardiogram abnormality (28.4% vs. 8.82%, p = 0.019) than the patients without hepatic impairment. CONCLUSIONS The degree of hepatic impairment induced by scrub typhus is associated with new onset of renal dysfunction.
Infant eczema, infant sleeping problems, and mental health at 10 years of age: the prospective birth cohort study LISAplus

To cite this article: Schmitt J, Chen C‐M, Apfelbacher C, Romanos M, Lehmann I, Herbarth O, Schaaf B, Kraemer U, von Berg A, Wichmann H‐E, Heinrich J, the LISA‐plus Study Group. Infant eczema, infant sleeping problems, and mental health at 10 years of age: the prospective birth cohort study LISAplus. Allergy 2011; 66: 404–411.
Associations between cigarette smoking and each of 21 types of cancer: a multi-site case-control study.

BACKGROUND Although the effects of cigarette smoking on cancer risk have been well documented, there remain several outstanding issues to be clarified, including the determination of which types of cancer are associated with smoking and estimation of the magnitude of the effect of smoking on different types of cancer. A further issue is whether the effects seen elsewhere can be demonstrated in Canada, where tobacco products differ somewhat from those in other countries. METHODS A case-control study was undertaken in Montreal to investigate the associations between a large number of environmental and occupational exposures on the one hand, and several types of cancer on the other. Between 1979 and 1985, interviews were carried out with incident male cases of 21 types of cancer, including 15 anatomical sites and six histological subtypes. The interview was designed to obtain detailed information on smoking histories, job histories, and other potential confounders. Altogether, 3730 cancer patients and 533 population controls were interviewed. For each type of cancer analysed, two control groups were used: population controls and cancer controls (selected from among other cancer patients). The purpose of the present analysis is to estimate the relative risk of each of 21 types of cancer in relation to smoking and to estimate the percentage of cancer cases attributable to cigarette smoking. RESULTS Separate analyses conducted with the two control groups produced similar results. Of the many sites of cancer examined, the following were not associated with cigarette smoking: colon, rectum, liver, prostate, kidney and skin (melanoma). Within the lymphoreticular system, there was no excess risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma, although the results for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were weakly suggestive of an association with smoking. The following sites were clearly associated with smoking: lung (odds ratio [OR] = 12.1), bladder (OR = 2.4), oesophagus (OR = 2.4), stomach (OR = 1.7), and pancreas (OR = 1.6). Population attributable risk percentages due to smoking were 90% for lung, 53% for bladder, 54% for oesophagus, 35% for stomach, and 33% for pancreas. CONCLUSIONS Of the 21 types of cancer examined, the following were associated with smoking among men in Montreal: lung (including all major histological subtypes), bladder (and its main histological subtypes), oesophagus, stomach and pancreas. Smoking likely accounts for a large proportion of cancers occurring at these sites.
CO2 emissions and economic growth in sub-Saharan African countries: A panel data analysis

This paper examines the causal relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth in 10 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. This study attempts to answer one critical question: does economic growth Granger-cause CO2 emissions in SSA countries? Unlike some of the previous studies, this paper uses a dynamic panel data analysis procedure to examine this linkage. The results of the error-correction model (ECM)-based panel causality show that there is a unidirectional causal flow from economic growth to CO2 emissions in the 10 studied countries. This applies irrespective of whether the causality is tested in the short run or in the long run. These findings have important implications. They demonstrate that CO2 emissions mitigation policies are unlikely to have any adverse effects on these countries’ long-term growth paths. This implies that these countries can pursue CO2 emission reduction policies without necessarily compromising their quest for a long-term positive growth trajectory.