Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New silent and weak D alleles: molecular characterization and associated antigen density

Samples reported to show D phenotype ambiguity by routinely used serologic analyses (n 5 5) were referred for characterizing the molecular basis of unusual D phenotypes. A sixth sample was investigated for confirming serologic rare D–C1E–c–e1 phenotype. Genomic DNA was extracted from 200-mL whole blood samples using a DNA extraction kit (QIAamp Blood DNA mini kit, Qiagen) and first-intention genotyping was performed with a RHD genotyping kit (RHD BeadChip kit, BioArray Solutions, Immucor France). Sequencing of the 10 exons of RHD was performed as previously described. Antigen density per RBC was measured by flow cytometry using P3X249, LHM76/55, P3X241, and LHM169/80 antibodies (targeting Epitopes 2.1, 3.1, 5.4, and 6.3, respectively) as previously reported. Functional prediction of nonsynonymous singlenucleotide polymorphisms was performed by using the PolyPhen-2 algorithm (Polymorphism Phenotyping Version 2; http://genetics.bwh.harvard.edu/pph2/), which annotates the nonsynonymous coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms by a metric functional prediction score that can be categorized to distinguish benign mutations from damaging ones affecting protein function.
Direct recursive structures for computing radix-r two-dimensional DCT/IDCT/DST/IDST

In this paper, new recursive structures for computing radix-r two-dimensional (2-D) discrete cosine transform (DCT) and 2-D inverse DCT (IDCT) are proposed. The 2-D DCT/IDCT are first decomposed into cosine-cosine and sine-sine transforms. Based on indexes of transform bases, the regular pre-addition preprocess is established and the recursive structures for 2-D DCT/IDCT, which can be realized in a second-order infinite-impulse response (IIR) filter, are derived without involving any transposition procedure. For computation of 2-D DCT/IDCT, the recursive loops of the proposed structures are less than that of one-dimensional DCT/IDCT recursive structures, which require data transposition to achieve the so-called row-column approach. With advantages of fewer recursive loops and no transposition, the proposed recursive structures achieve more accurate results and less power consumption than the existed methods. The regular and modular properties are suitable for very large-scale integration (VLSI) implementation. By using similar procedures, the recursive structures for 2-D DST and 2-D IDST are also proposed.
T‐loop phosphorylation stabilizes the CDK7–cyclin H–MAT1 complex in vivo and regulates its CTD kinase activity

Cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)7–cyclin H, the CDK‐activating kinase (CAK) and TFIIH‐associated kinase in metazoans can be activated in vitro through T‐loop phosphorylation or binding to the RING finger protein MAT1. Although the two mechanisms can operate independently, we show that in a physiological setting, MAT1 binding and T‐loop phosphorylation cooperate to stabilize the CAK complex of Drosophila. CDK7 forms a stable complex with cyclin H and MAT1 in vivo only when phosphorylated on either one of two residues (Ser164 or Thr170) in its T‐loop. Mutation of both phosphorylation sites causes temperature‐dependent dissociation of CDK7 complexes and lethality. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Thr170 greatly stimulates the activity of the CDK7–cyclin H–MAT1 complex towards the C‐terminal domain of RNA polymerase II without significantly affecting activity towards CDK2. Remarkably, the substrate‐specific increase in activity caused by T‐loop phosphorylation is due entirely to accelerated enzyme turnover. Thus phosphorylation on Thr170 could provide a mechanism to augment CTD phosphorylation by TFIIH‐associated CDK7, and thereby regulate transcription.
A comparison of stapedial reflex fatigue with repetitive stimulation and single‐fiber emg in myasthenia gravis

The pattern of stapedial reflex fatigue in response to pulsed acoustic stimulation was measured and compared to results of repetitive nerve stimulation and single‐fiber electromyography (EMG) in 89 patients with myasthenia gravis. Studies were also made on 22 patients with other neuromuscular disorders and 40 control subjects with no evidence of neuromuscular impairment. Stapedial reflex fatigue exceeded normal control values in 84% of the patients with myasthenia gravis. Repetitive stimulation and single‐fiber EMG measurements were abnormal in 56% and 91% of this same population, respectively. Stapedial reflex abnormalities were most prevalent in patients with mild forms of myasthenia (predominantly ocular or oropharyngeal weakness). Of 22 nonmyasthenic patients with neuromuscular disease tested, 6 had abnormal stapedial reflex fatigue according to our normal values, indicating that this form of testing also detects other diseases of the motor unit. The measurement of stapedial reflex fatigue is painless, is easy to perform, and requires minimal patient cooperation. Due to the relatively high occurrence of abnormal stapedial reflex fatigue in patients with myasthenia gravis, this procedure appears to have considerable potential value in screening and monitoring patients for the presence of defects in neuromuscular transmission.
Five years of snake envenoming in far north Queensland.

OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology, clinical features, treatment and outcomes of patients with elapid snake envenoming in far north Queensland. METHODS Review of patients admitted with snake envenoming to Cairns Base Hospital, Queensland, from 1 January 1996-31 December 2000. RESULTS A total of 264 patients presented to the hospital with a diagnosis of snakebite. Of these, 27 (10%) had clinical evidence of envenoming, including seven children. All envenomed patients had been bitten on a limb. Two patients had correct initial first aid applied. Commercially available venom detection kits were used in 23 patients; 14 (61%) bite site swabs were positive, but only four (23%) of 17 urine Venom Detection Kits were positive. Antivenom was administered to 20 envenomed patients. The five brown snake envenomed patients required a median of 9 ampoules of antivenom to treat their coagulopathy. Sixteen patients were admitted to the ICU, with six requiring ventilation. Six patients were successfully managed in the ED observation ward. Three patients envenomed by a taipan, and one by a death adder were discharged with ongoing neurological symptoms. There was one death from brown snake envenoming. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of snakebite and envenoming in far north Queensland is higher than reported from hospitals in capital cities and is a significant health issue.
The Term Structure of Country Risk and Valuation in Emerging Markets

Most practitioners add the country risk to the discount rate when valuing projects in Emerging Markets. This practice does not account for the fact that the default risk term structure can be nonflat. The mismatch between the duration of the project under valuation and the duration of the most widely used measure of country risk, J.P. Morgan’s EMBI, leads to an overvaluation (undervaluation) of long-term projects when the term structure of default risk is upward (downward) sloping. Using sovereign bond data from five Emerging Markets, we estimate a simple model that captures most of the variation of conditional default probabilities at different horizons for a given country at one point in time. This model can be used to solve the misestimation problem.
PALS investigations of free volumes thermal expansion of J-PET plastic scintillator synthesized in polystyrene matrix

Abstract The polystyrene doped with 2,5-diphenyloxazole as a primary fluor and 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole as a wavelength shifter prepared as a plastic scintillator was investigated using positronium probe in wide range of temperatures from 123 to 423 K. Three structural transitions at 260, 283, and 370 K were found in the material. In the o-Ps intensity dependence on temperature, the significant hysteresis is observed. Heated to 370 K, the material exhibits the o-Ps intensity variations in time.
PHOX2B mutations and polyalanine expansions correlate with the severity of the respiratory phenotype and associated symptoms in both congenital and late onset Central Hypoventilation syndrome

Congenital Central Hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS (MIM 209880)) is a rare disorder, with fewer than 200 patients currently reported worldwide, characterised by absence of adequate autonomic control of respiration with decreased sensitivity to hypercapnia and hypoxia, in the absence of neuromuscular or lung disease, or an identifiable brain stem lesion.1 Children with CCHS show an adequate ventilation while awake but hypoventilate during sleep. More severely affected children hypoventilate both when awake and during sleep.1 CCHS has been reported in association with several disorders, among which aganglionic megacolon (Hirschsprung disease, HSCR) and tumours of neural crest origin, reflecting a common molecular pathogenesis sustained by defects of one or more genes that control the correct development of neural crest derived cell lineages.1–3 A genetic aetiology has long been hypothesised for CCHS based on recurrence reported in siblings, in half siblings and in affected children born to women with CCHS.2–6 More recently, a generalised autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance has been observed among children with CCHS and an increased incidence of ANS dysfunctions (ANSD) reported among relatives of 56 patients with CCHS, as against relatives of 56 matched controls.7 A family transmission study has shown that the risk of developing an ANSD symptom including CCHS, regarded as the most severe expression of ANS imbalance, mainly depends on the genotype at a major locus, while significant residual variants could be due to additional minor genes, modifying loci effects or environmental factors.8 Genes involved in the ANS development, like the RET proto-oncogene, its ligand GDNF , the Endothelin 3 gene, the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ( BDNF ) and the RNX genes, have been tested and a few mutations found, showing no cosegregation with the disease phenotype in CCHS families.9–13 The PHOX2B gene encodes a 314 amino acids …
Physicochemical Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Quality of the Greater Chittagong Region of Bangladesh

The study was carried out to assess surface and groundwater quality of the greater Chittagong (Chittagong and Cox' s Bazar districts) and Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban districts) of Bangladesh. To study the various physicochemical and microbiological parameters, surface water samples from the Karnafuli, Halda, Sangu, Matamuhuri, Bakkhali, Naf, Kasalong, Chingri and Mayani Rivers, Kaptai Lake and groundwater samples from almost every Upazilas, smaller administrative unit of Bangladesh, were collected and analyzed. The statistical methods of sampling were used for collecting samples. Samples were preserved using suitable preservation methods. Water samples from the freshwater resources were collected from different points and tide conditions and at different seasons for continuous monitoring during the hydrological years 2008-2009. The collected samples were analyzed for the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), dissolved oxygen (DO), transparency, acidity, dissolved carbon dioxide, total alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, ammonia-N, hydrogen sulfide, sulphate-S, o-phosphate-P, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate-N, nitrite-N, total nitrite and nitrate-N, arsenic, iron, manganese, copper, nickel, chromium, cadmium, lead, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium using the procedure outlined in the standard methods. Average values of maximum physicochemical and microbiological parameters studied for the Karnafuli River were found higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. The maximum water quality parameters of Kaptai Lake and other Rivers of Chittagong region were existed within the permissible limits of WHO guideline. The data showed the water quality slightly differs in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon than monsoon season. The concentration of different constituents of most of the groundwater samples were within the permissible limits of BSTI drinking water quality guideline except As, Fe, and Mn. Results of water quality assessment identified the problem areas in respect of arsenic. The results also provided data to understand and quantify the threat of the impact of climate change on freshwater resources of this region. The results also provided data for water quality of surface and groundwater resources of Chittagong region to match national and international standards for drinking, agricultural, industrial and livestock requirements.
The EV-O-derived cell line DF-1 supports the efficient replication of avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses and vectors.

The lack of a well-behaved permanent, adherent, nontransformed chicken cell line has made some experiments with avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses (ASLV) and vectors considerably more difficult. The EV-O-derived line, DF-1, supports the efficient replication of subgroups (A), (B), and (C) ASLV, as well as amphotrophic murine leukemia virus and an ASLV-derived vector that has its env gene derived from the env gene from an amphotrophic murine leukemia virus. The cell line responds appropriately to the expression of a transforming oncogene (v-myc) to a growth suppressor gene [p21(waf1)] and can be sorted (using FACS) if infected by an ASLV vector that expresses GFP.
Pharmacokinetics of Ciprofloxacin in Broiler Chickens After Single Intravenous and Intraingluvial Administration

Abstract The trial was performed on 10 clinically healthy Ross hybrid chickens, 5 from each gender, weighing 2.75-2.84 kg. The tested quinolone was applied at the same dose for both routes of application - 10 mg/kg of body weight. Ciprofloxacin hydrochloridum 5% solution for i.v. and 1% solution for intraingluvial treatment were prepared. In a crossover study design, ciprofloxacin hydrochloridum was administered as 5 % solution for i.v. bolus injection to broiler chickens and after 14 days as 1 % solution for intraingluvial administration into a crop to the same birds. Serum ciprofloxacin concentrations were assayed by HPLC with UV detection at a wavelength of 279 nm. After intravenous injection the following pharmacokinetic parameters were determined: t1/2β = 9.07 h; t1/2α= 0.36 h; MRT = 10.20 h and MRT = 10.75 h; AUC0→∞ = 19.560 μg. h/mL and AUC0→∞ = 19.843 μg. h/mL. After intraingluvial application parameters determined by the two pharmacokinetic models were as: t1/2α= 0.86 h; t1/2β = 7,20 h and t1/2β = 7.89 h; MRT = 12.67 h and MRT = 12.93 h; AUC0→∞ = 11.340 μg. h/mL and AUC0→24 h = 11.973 μg. h/mL; Cmax = 2.841 μg/mL and Cmax = 2.638 μg/mL; Tmax = 0.48 h and Tmax = 0.39 h; t1/2abs. = 0.146 h; MAT = 2.47 h and MAT = 2.18 h; F = 57.91% and F = 63.89%. These results suggested that a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight provides maximum plasma concentration ater intraingluvial administration and is effective in the control of many infectious diseases of poultry.
[Prevalence of hospital infections in adult intensive care units in Argentina].

OBJECTIVES To present consolidated results from two surveys of nosocomial infection incidence, within the framework of Argentina's National Surveillance of Hospital Infections Program. METHODS Two editions of the National Survey on the Incidence of Hospital Infections in Argentina were used, those of 2004 and 2005. Of the 68 hospitals, 53 reported data from adult intensive care units (in 2004, 26 units; in 2005, 27), for a total of 359 patients (in 2004, 158 patients; in 2005, 201). The survey was designed as a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study. Data analysis was performed with several statistics programs, combining and standardizing variables and both time periods in order to include all the hospitals from the two surveys. RESULTS The prevalence of hospital infection among patients was 24%. Of the 127 illnesses, the most frequently occurring was pneumonia (43.3%), which in 85% of the cases was associated with use of a respirator. Primary bloodstream infections took second place, at 20.5%, with 61% of these cases being associated with a central catheter. Patients given respiratory therapy were at greatest risk (P < 0.001) of developing pneumonia; this was not observed among patients with central or urinary catheters. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of hospital infections, the distribution of primary infection sites, and the associations with risk factors were similar to those observed by other authors in several countries. It is important to understand the local and national issues prior to initiating a surveillance program. Surveys such as these, with a national scope and administered by the State, are one way of motivating, raising awareness, and building capacity.
On the number of positive solutions of elliptic systems

The paper deals with the existence, multiplicity and nonexistence of positive radial solutions for the elliptic system div(|∇ u i |p –2∇ u i ) + λki (|x |) fi (u1, …,un) = 0, p > 1, R1 < |x | < R2, ui (x) = 0, on |x | = R1 and R2, i = 1, …, n, x ∈ ℝN , where ki and fi, i = 1, …, n, are continuous and nonnegative functions. Let u = (u1, …, un), φ (t) = |t |p –2t, fi0 = lim‖u‖→0((fi (u))/(φ (‖u‖))), fi∞= lim‖u‖→∞((fi (u))/(φ (‖u‖))), i = 1, …, n, f = (f1, …, fn), f0 = ∑n i =1 fi 0 and f∞ = ∑n i =1 fi ∞. We prove that either f0 = 0 and f∞ = ∞ (superlinear), or f0 = ∞and f∞ = 0 (sublinear), guarantee existence for all λ > 0. In addition, if fi (u) > 0 for ‖u‖ > 0, i = 1, …, n, then either f0 = f∞ = 0, or f0 = f∞ = ∞, guarantee multiplicity for sufficiently large, or small λ, respectively. On the other hand, either f0 and f∞ > 0, or f0 and f∞ < ∞ imply nonexistence for sufficiently large, or small λ, respectively. Furthermore, all the results are valid for Dirichlet/Neumann boundary conditions. We shall use fixed point theorems in a cone. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Primary biliary cirrhosis: proposal for a new simple histological scoring system

A simple and reproducible evaluation of non diagnostic histological lesions related to prognosis remains crucial in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Presently there is no satisfactory simple scoring system analysing them reliably. We elaborated a semi‐quantitative scoring system that assesses fibrosis, lymphocytic interface hepatitis (LIH) and ductopenia, separately. This study was aimed to evaluate its intra/interobserver reproducibility and its correlation with the main biochemical data.
The contribution of peripheral muscle function to shuttle walking performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE The contribution of muscle strength and mass to incremental and endurance walking performance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. This study analyzes the relationship between field incremental and endurance walking performance and indices of peripheral muscle mass and strength. METHODS Eighty-five stable COPD patients (53 males; mean [SD] age = 67 [9] years; mean [SD] forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] = 35 [14] [% predicted]) were studied prior to participation in pulmonary rehabilitation. Isometric quadriceps and handgrip strength were measured. Total body and lower limb lean muscle mass were estimated using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Exercise performance was measured using the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and the endurance (ESWT) shuttle walk test. RESULTS ISWT was related to muscle strength (r = 0.467, P </= .001) but not to whole body or lower limb lean mass. There was no association between muscle strength or mass and ESWT. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, the only variables significantly contributing to ISWT were age (P < .001), FEV1 (% predicted) (P < .001) and quadriceps strength (P < .001). Variables contributing to ESWT were FEV1 (% predicted) (P < .001) and ISWT performance (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that muscle strength is related to incremental but not endurance shuttle walking performance. Muscle mass and strength are not synonymous in their effects on exercise performance in patients with COPD.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Reduces Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 among Marine Recruits

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pulsed-field type (PFT) USA300 causes skin and soft tissue infections in military recruits and invasive disease in hospitals. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is used to reduce MRSA colonization and infection. The impact of CHG on the molecular epidemiology of MRSA is not known. Objective. To evaluate the impact of 2% CHG—impregnated cloths on the molecular epidemiology of MRSA colonization. Design. Cluster-randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Setting. Marine Officer Candidate School, Quantico, Virginia, in 2007. Participants. Military recruits. Intervention. Thrice-weekly application of CHG-impregnated or control (Comfort Bath; Sage) cloths over the entire body. Measurements. Baseline and serial (every 2 weeks) nasal and/or axillary swab samples were assessed for MRSA colonization. Molecular analysis was performed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results. During training, 77 subjects (4.9%) acquired MRSA, 26 (3.3%) in the CHG group and 51 (6.5%) in the control group (P = .004). When analyzed for PFT, 24 subjects (3.1%) in the control group but only 6 subjects (0.8%) in the CHG group (P = .001) had USA300. Of the 167 colonizing isolates recovered from 77 subjects, 99 were recovered from the control group, including USA300 (40.4%), USA800 (38.4%), USA1000 (12.1%), and USA100 (6.1%), and 68 were recovered from the CHG group, including USA800 (51.5%), USA100 (23.5%), and USA300 (13.2%). Conclusions. CHG decreased the transmission of MRSA—more specifically, USA300—among military recruits. In addition, USA300 and USA800 outcompeted other MRSA PFTs at incident colonization. Future studies should evaluate the broad-based use of CHG to decrease transmission of USA300 in hospital settings.
Long‐term Excess Mortality in 623 Patients with Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

OBJECTIVELong-term follow-up studies in patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) have been scarce and without proper statistical estimates of mortality. We performed a retrospective survival study in 623 consecutive patients with AVMs admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery in Helsinki University Hospital between 1951 and 2005. METHODSPatients were followed from admission until death or the end of 2005. Patient survival was estimated using the relative survival ratio, which provides a measure of the excess mortality experienced by the patients compared with the general Finnish population matched by age, sex, and calendar time. RESULTSMedian follow-up was 11.9 years, and total follow-up was 10,165 person-years. Treatment was conservative in 155 patients. Total AVM occlusion was attained in 356 patients, and partial occlusion was obtained in 94 patients. Overall, 206 deaths were observed. Of these, 100 were related to AVMs. Diagnosis of AVM was associated with significant long-term excess mortality, with cumulative relative survival ratios of 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.88) and 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.75) at 10 and 30 years after admission, respectively. Men had higher excess mortality than women. The excess in mortality was highest in conservatively treated patients, intermediate in patients with partially occluded AVMs, and lowest in those with totally occluded AVMs. The subgroup with the best outcome consisted of those with totally occluded unruptured AVMs, which did not demonstrate excess mortality after the first year. CONCLUSIONAVMs are associated with long-term excess mortality that may be reduced by active, even partial, treatment. Male patients have a higher excess mortality rate than female patients.