Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation between leukemic cell retention of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5'-triphosphate and response to therapy.

Abstract The relationship between the phosphorylation of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and intracellular retention of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine triphosphate (ara-CTP) in vitro by leukemic myeloblasts and the response of patients to treatment with ara-C and anthracycline was studied. There were quantitative differences between patients in the amount of ara-CTP initially formed and that retained intracellularly at 4 hr. On the basis of these differences, the patients could be placed into 2 subgroups: those 13 patients whose leukemic cell retention was ≥36% and the remaining 15 patients whose leukemic cells retained ≤19% ara-CTP9s. Of the 13 patients in the high-retention group, 11 attained complete remission. Seven of the 11 patients remain in complete remission at 55+ to 129+ weeks. Nine of 15 patients whose ara-CTP retention was ≤19% attained complete remission. Eight of these patients have relapsed between 11 and 92 weeks, with a single patient remaining in remission at 58+ weeks. The median remission duration for this group was 28 weeks, while for the high retention it has already exceeded 63 weeks. These data indicate that, although these patients are clinically diagnosed as acute myelocytic leukemia and treated in an identical manner, their cells metabolize ara-C differently. The data demonstrate a significant correlation between ara-CTP formation and retention in vitro by acute myelocytic leukemia cells and the duration of remission of patients receiving ara-C as part of their remission induction and maintenance therapy.
Oxidant and antioxidant status in neonatal proven and clinical sepsis according to selenium status

Selenium is a trace element required for the functioning of the immune system. Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition leading to morbidity and mortality in neonates worldwide. The purpose of this study was to measure selenium and plasma selenoprotein P (SePP), selenoenzyme activity, and alterations in oxidant/antioxidant status with immune biomarkers in neonates with clinical (n = 27) and proven neonatal sepsis (n = 25).
Vancomycin pharmacokinetics and predicted dosage requirements in pediatric cancer patients

Purpose To determine the pharmacokinetic parameters and compare pharmacodynamic target attainment at different dosing strategies of vancomycin in pediatric cancer patients. Methods Pediatric patients who received vancomycin and had at least two steady-state concentrations taken within the same dosing interval were identified. Vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from our institution were determined using E-test. The population-based pharmacokinetic modeling was performed using NONMEM 7.2. A one-compartment model with first-order kinetics was used to estimate clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (Vd). Monte Carlo simulations (N = 9800) were performed to compare area-under-the-curve over 24 h (AUC24)/MIC and trough concentration at different doses. Results Forty-nine patients, with 120 vancomcyin serum concentrations, were included in the analysis, mean age was 6 ± 2.5 (SD) years, mean weight was 19.6 ± 6.9(SD) kg, mean baseline serum creatinine was 0.4 ± 0.11(SD) mg/dl, and mean initial vancomycin dose was 205 mg/day (range 100–460). Final model pharmacokinetic parameters were: CL (L/h) = 0.381 × weight0.75 and Vd (L) = 0.663 × weight. Mean baseline (±SD) vancomycin CL was 0.20 ± 0.07 L/h/kg and Vd 0.66 ± 0.001 L/kg. Renal function, sex, age, stay in the intensive care unit, and co-administration of nephrotoxic medications did not have an effect on the calculated parameters. Using Monte Carlo simulation with reported MICs, a dose of 60 mg/kg/day achieved AUC24/MIC ≥400 and trough concentration ≥15 mcg/mL in only 21.5% and 11% of virtual subjects, respectively. Conclusions Higher than usual vancomycin doses may be required to treat serious MRSA infections in pediatric patients. The currently recommended dose of 60 mg/kg/day is unlikely to achieve the targets in most subjects. The optimal vancomycin dosing in pediatric cancer patients requires further investigations.
Conserved C-Terminal Threonine of Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Regulates Autoproteolysis and Prevents Product Inhibition

ABSTRACT Inspection of over 250 hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome sequences shows that a threonine is strictly conserved at the P1 position in the NS3-NS4A (NS3-4A) autoproteolysis junction, while a cysteine is maintained as the P1 residue in all of the putative trans cleavage sites (NS4A-4B, NS4B-5A, and NS5A-5B). To understand why T631 is conserved at the NS3-4A junction of HCV, a series of in vitro transcription-translation studies were carried out using wild-type and mutant (T631C) NS3-4A constructs bearing native, truncated, and mutant NS4A segments. The autocleavage of the wild-type junction was found to be dependent on the presence of the central cofactor domain of NS4A (residues 21 to 34). In contrast, all NS3-4A T631C mutant proteins underwent self-cleavage even in the absence of the cofactor. Subgenomic replicons derived from the Con1 strain of HCV and bearing the T631C mutation showed reduced levels of colony formation in transfection studies. Similarly, replicons derived from a second genotype 1b virus, HCV-N, demonstrated a comparable reduction in replication efficiency in transient-transfection assays. These data suggest that the threonine is conserved at position 631 because it serves two functions: (i) to slow processing at the NS3-4A cleavage site, ensuring proper intercalation of the NS4A cofactor with NS3 prior to polyprotein scission, and (ii) to prevent subsequent product inhibition by the NS3 C terminus.
Novel therapeutic compound tuftsin–phosphorylcholine attenuates collagen‐induced arthritis

Treatment with helminthes and helminthes ova improved the clinical symptoms of several autoimmune diseases in patients and in animal models. Phosphorylcholine (PC) proved to be the immunomodulatory molecule. We aimed to decipher the tolerogenic potential of tuftsin–PC (TPC), a novel helminth‐based compound in collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CIA DBA/1 mice were treated with TPC subcutaneously (5 µg/0.1 ml) or orally (250 µg/0.1 ml), starting prior to disease induction. The control groups were treated with PBS. Collagen antibodies were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), cytokine protein levels by ELISA kits and regulatory T (Treg) and regulatory B (Breg) cell phenotypes by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACS). TPC‐treated mice had a significantly lower arthritis score of 1.5 in comparison with control mice 11.8 (P < 0.0001) in both subcutaneous and orally treated groups at day 31. Moreover, histology analysis demonstrated highly inflamed joints in control mice, whereas TPC‐treated mice maintained normal joint structure. Furthermore, TPC decreased the titres of circulating collagen II antibodies in mice sera (P < 0.0001), enhanced expression of IL‐10 (P < 0.0001) and inhibited production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)−17 and IL‐1β (P < 0.0001). TPC significantly expanded the CD4+CD25+ forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3+) Treg cells and CD19+IL‐10+CD5highCD1dhighT cell immunoglobulin mucin‐1 (TIM‐1+) Breg cell phenotypes (P < 0.0001) in treated mice. Our data indicate that treatment with TPC attenuates CIA in mice demonstrated by low arthritic score and normal joints histology. TPC treatment reduced proinflammatory cytokines and increased anti‐inflammatory cytokine expression, as well as expansion of Treg and Breg cells. Our results may lead to a new approach for a natural therapy for early rheumatoid arthritis onset.
A New BMS Architecture Based on Cell Redundancy

Due to their great energy density, high nominal voltage, and lack of memory effect, Li-ion cells play a more crucial role in electric vehicle (EV) applications. Unfortunately, if not correctly handled, this chemistry can quickly bring loss in performance and produce potentially dangerous situations. Battery management systems (BMSs) are a practical way to manage these battery packs and improve their efficiency. In this paper, we propose an original BMS architecture particularly suited for light-EV applications based on the concept of redundant cell, i.e., a technique that dynamically disconnects a cell in the battery pack for optimal balancing purposes. The proposed BMS is very flexible, economical, stable, and space saving.
Existential concerns of families of late-stage dementia patients: questions of freedom, choices, isolation, death, and meaning.

UNLABELLED Several studies focus on palliative aspects of the caregiver burden of dementia families. However, only few studies have addressed the existential perspective in this situation. The aim of this study was, therefore, to focus on issues of freedom/responsibility, existential isolation, death, and issues of meaning/meaninglessness. METHOD Qualitative tape-recorded in-depth interviews with 20 family members were conducted. The transcripts were analyzed with a hermeneutic approach. RESULTS To take responsibility (faithfulness; paying back) was generally perceived as rewarding, but in some cases it was more a matter of duty with elements of guilt and obligation. Existential isolation dealt with the hampered or ended communication with a spouse or parent who was no longer able to communicate; the situation of having no other relatives left in life or, the role-reversal (i.e., to parent your own parent). Thoughts about the impending death were affected by previous experiences, not only by the actual situation. Anticipatory grief was commonplace. Some informants described an increased awareness of the shortness of life, which made them live more intensely in the present. The illness itself was discussed in terms of meaninglessness. Still, many respondents were able to identify meaning in the past (memories), present (daily routines, positive aspects of responsibility) and future (to pass on the patient's lifework). DISCUSSION The study underlines the importance of not only seeing the physical and psychosocial caregiver aspects, but also the existential ones that emerge when confronting impending death. Staff need to be more aware of existential issues in order to support families also in existential crisis.
Plan Recognition and Tracking for Cooperative Autonomous Robots in Dynamic Environments

Cooperative multi-agent systems shall achieve a common goal and have to keep the team members informed about each other’s actions. This can be achieved by direct communication or through recognition of changes in the environment. In a robotic scenario, both are either unreliable or imprecise, hence an agent cannot precisely know about the team member’s current actions. This thesis targets on tracking the agents of a team, even if some information needed for tracking is unknown, instead of just relying on communication. The Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence is used to combine hypotheses about actions of an agent into hypotheses for a team of agents. It is also used to evaluate conditions which may lead to changes in an agent’s behaviour. Results of this evaluation are used to rank team hypotheses, which describe the actions of a team, and thus to determine the most suitable one for the current situation.
Morphologic study of the connections between the accessory nerve and the posterior root of the first cervical nerve

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anastomotic relationships between the accessory nerve and the posterior root of the first cervical nerve and to determine the course of the posterior root nerve fibers after anastomosis. The relationships between these two nerves were studied in 100 sides of the spinal cord and then classified into four types. In the most common type of anastomosis (38% of cases), either a branch from the posterior C1 root was seen to course cranially and join the accessory nerve, or the posterior root and accessory nerve fused as they coursed orthogonal to one other. In the second most common type (36% of cases), the accessory nerve anastomosed with a posterior C1 root that had no direct connection with the spinal cord; the nerve fibers of the posterior root were observed in stained samples to course caudally along the accessory nerve and join the posterior C2 root. In the least common type (6% of cases), no connection was observed between the accessory nerve and the posterior C1 root. In the next least common type (20% of cases), the posterior C1 root was absent and a connecting branch was sometimes observed between the accessory nerve and the anterior C1 root. Clin. Anat. 15:267–270, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trends in indigenous foodborne disease and deaths, England and Wales: 1992 to 2000

Background: Commitment to food safety is evidenced by high profile governmental initiatives around the globe. To measure progress towards targets, policy makers need to know the baseline from which they started. Aim: To describe the burden (mortality, morbidity, new presentations to general practice, hospital admissions, and hospital occupancy) and trends of indigenous foodborne disease (IFD) in England and Wales between 1992 and 2000. Methods: Routinely available surveillance data, special survey data, and hospital episode statistics were collated and arithmetic employed to estimate the burden and trends of IFD in England and Wales. Adjustments were made for underascertainment of disease through national surveillance and for foreign travel. The final estimates were compared with those from the USA. Results: In 1995 there were an estimated 2 365 909 cases, 21 138 hospital admissions, and 718 deaths in England and Wales due to IFD. By 2000 this had fallen to 1 338 772 cases, 20 759 hospital admissions, and 480 deaths. In terms of disease burden the most important pathogens were campylobacters, salmonellas, Clostridium perfringens, verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157, and Listeria monocytogenes. The ratio of food related illness in the USA to IFD in England and Wales in 2000 was 57:1. Taking into account population rates, this ratio fell to 11:1 and converged when aetiology and disease severity were considered. Conclusion: Reducing IFD in England and Wales means tackling campylobacter. Lowering mortality rates however also requires better control and prevention of salmonellas, Cl perfringens, L monocytogenes, and VTEC O157.
Commissioning of the 34-GHz, 45-MW pulsed magnicon

A high-efficiency, high-power magnicon at 34.272 GHz has been designed and built as a microwave source to develop radio frequency (RF) technology for future multi-TeV electron-positron linear colliders. To develop this technology, this new RF source is being perfected for necessary tests of accelerating structures, RF pulse compressors, RF components, and to determine limits of breakdown and metal fatigue. The design of this high-power amplifier tube, as well as the first experimental results are presented.
Selective impairment of facial recognition due to a haematoma restricted to the right fusiform and lateral occipital region

A 67 year old right handed Japanese man developed prosopagnosia caused by a haemorrhage. His only deficit was the inability to perceive and discriminate unfamiliar faces, and to recognise familiar faces. He did not show deficits in visual or visuospatial perception of non-facial stimuli, alexia, visual agnosia, or topographical disorientation. Brain MRI showed a haematoma limited to the right fusiform and the lateral occipital region. Single photon emission computed tomography confirmed that there was no decreased blood flow in the opposite left cerebral hemisphere. The present case indicates that a well placed small right fusiform gyrus and the adjacent area can cause isolated impairment of facial recognition. As far as we know, there has been no published case that has demonstrated this exact lesion site, which was indicated by recent functional MRI studies as the most critical area in facial recognition.
Entry Strategies Under Competing Standards: Hybrid Business Models in the Open Source Software Industry

The paper analyzes the strategies of software firms that have entered the open source (OS) field. The notion of the OS business model is discussed in the light of a substantial body of theoretical literature concerning strategic management and the economics of innovation, as well as specialized literature on OS. Empirical evidence based on a survey of 146 Italian software firms shows that firms have adapted to an environment dominated by incumbent standards by combining the offering of proprietary and OS software under different licensing schemes, thus choosing a hybrid business model. The paper examines the determinants of the degree of openness toward OS and discusses the stability of hybrid models in the evolution of the industry.
Determinants of Employee Innovative Behavior: Do Foreign and Domestic Companies in Russia Differ?

This paper investigates employees’ individual innovative behavior. Three main stages of innovative process – new ideas generation, their promotion and implementation – are examined. 623 Russian employees of domestic and foreign companies operating in Russia were surveyed. The results show high significance of individual determinants (status and self-assessment of professional competence), favorable organizational environment (managerial incentives) and types of decision-making for all three stages of innovative process. The authors’ main proposition that foreign companies demonstrate higher level of individual innovative activity was not confirmed but qualitative distinctions at all three stages of innovative process were revealed.
Immature squamous metaplasia (focal atypical epithelial hyperplasia) of the pancreatic duct—immunohistochemical distinction from intraductal carcinoma

Immature squamous metaplasia of the pancreatic duct (ISMPD) can be difficult to differentiate from an intraductal carcinoma of the pancreas (ICP), and little is known about the pathological nature of ISMPD. The aim of this study was to analyse 20 ISMPD and 10 ICP tissue samples.
Social media and consumer engagement: a review and research agenda

Purpose In “Social media’s slippery slope: challenges, opportunities and future research directions”, Schultz and Peltier (2013) asked “whether or how social media can be used to leverage consumer engagement into highly profitable relationships for both parties”. The purpose of this article is to continue this discussion by reviewing recent literature on consumer engagement and proposing a framework for future research. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the marketing literature on social media, paying particular attention to consumer engagement, which was identified as a primary area of concern in Schultz and Peltier (2013). Findings A significant amount of research has been conducted on consumer engagement since 2010. Lack of consensus on the definition of the construct has led to fragmentation in the discipline, however. As a result, research related to consumer engagement is often not identified as such, making it difficult for academics and practitioners to stay abreast of developments in this area. Originality/value This critical review provides marketing academics and practitioners insights into the antecedents and consequences of consumer engagement and offers a conceptual framework for future research.
Amino Acid Substitutions in the Two Largest Subunits of Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase That Suppress a Defective Rho Termination Factor Affect Different Parts of the Transcription Complex*

Among the earliest rpoBC mutations identified are three suppressors of the conditional lethal rho allele, rho201. These three mutations are of particular interest because, unlike rpoB8, they do not increase termination at all ρ-dependent and ρ-independent terminators. rpoB211 and rpoB212 both change Asn-1072 to His in conserved region H of rpoB (βN1072H), whereas rpoC214 changes Arg-352 to Cys in conserved region C of rpoC (β′R352C). Both substitutions significantly reduce the overall rate of transcript elongation in vitro relative to wild-type RNA polymerase; however, they probably slow elongation for different reasons. The nucleotide triphosphate concentrations required at the T7 A1 promoter for both abortive trinucleotide synthesis and for promoter escape are much greater for βN1072H. In contrast, β′R352C and two adjacent substitutions (β′G351S and β′S350F), but not βN1072H, formed open complexes of greatly reduced stability. The sequence in this region of β′ modestly resembles a region of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I that contacts the phosphate backbone of DNA in co-crystals. Core determinants affecting open complex formation do not reside exclusively in β′, however, since the Rifr mutation rpoB2 in β also dramatically destabilized open complexes. We suggest that the principal defects of the two Rho-suppressing substitutions may differ, perhaps reflecting a greater role of β region H in nucleoside triphosphate-binding and nucleotide addition and of β′ region C in contacts to the DNA strands that could be important for translocation. Although both probably suppress rho201 by slowing RNA chain elongation, these differences may lead to terminator specificity that depends on the rate-limiting step at different sites.
Sustainability accounting and accountability in the public sector

The agenda for research and practice in sustainability accounting and accountability has been played out in an almost exclusively for-profit, corporate setting. In comparison, the huge potential of the public sector for advancing the agenda is often overlooked. We see a need to rectify this situation, and hope that this chapter will stimulate enthusiasm among practitioners, students and researchers for sustainability accounting and accountability in public sector organizations (PSOs). So, what is it about the public sector that deserves our attention? Size, for one thing. Internationally, the public sector accounts for some 40 per cent of all economic activity. Its huge operational impacts on the environment, society and economy alone suggest that it is time to find out how sustainability accounting and accountability in the public sector might help move things forward. As an example, in the New Zealand public sector,
Performance Discourses and Old Age: What Does It Mean to Be an Older Athlete?

Physical performance discourses are concerned with improving fitness and competing to win or achieve a personal best. Older people are commonly not recognized as acceptable or normal subjects of performance discourses because they are traditionally positioned as weak and less able. Yet the number of older people participating in physically demanding competitive sports is increasing. The purpose of this paper is to use a poststructural framework to explore how Masters athletes use performance discourses to define their participation. Interviews and observations were conducted with 138 participants (ages 55–94) of the 8th Australian Masters Games. The findings indicate that performance discourses work both as a medium for redefining what it means to be an older athlete and for re-inscribing normalized constructs of the acceptable older athlete.