Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An oligomer of the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia psittaci is recognized by monoclonal antibodies which protect mice from abortion

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against an ovine abortive strain of Chlamydia psittaci. A plaque reduction assay was used to select 19 neutralizing antibodies which appeared to be heterogeneous in isotype, specificity, and recognized proteins. Different neutralizing MAbs were tested for their protective abilities against abortion in a pregnant-mouse model. All of the protective MAbs selected had the same isotype, were serotype 1 specific, and recognized a protein of about 110 kDa by immunoblotting. The recognized epitopes were resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate and reducing agents, but all of them were heat sensitive. The protein was able to form disulfide-linked polymers. Immunological cross-reaction studies with rabbit sera showed a link between the 110-kDa protein and the major outer membrane protein (MOMP). The 110-kDa protein was purified by immunoaffinity and shown to be dissociated after heating into MOMP by silver staining and immunoblotting. These results show homogeneity among protective MAbs directed to heat-sensitive epitopes located on an oligomer of the MOMP of C. psittaci.
Near‐field optical excitation as a dipole–dipole energy transfer process

The process of fluorescence excitation in the scanning near‐field optical microscope (SNOM) is considered as a dipole–dipole resonance energy transfer process between a molecule under study and a SNOM aperture, which can be treated as a magnetic‐type point dipole. It is shown that such an approach satisfactorily describes the conditions of the usual SNOM fluorescence experiments. Fluorescence excitation dependence on the polarization of the incident light and medium refraction index have been obtained. The equation to calculate the resonance dipole–dipole energy transfer radius (which is a natural unit of a SNOM's longitudinal resolution) is derived. Those cases where such a radius is of the order of the SNOM aperture, and thus single dipole, can strongly influence the radiation conditions are discussed briefly.
Avoiding OHSS: Controlled Ovarian Low-Dose Stimulation in Women with PCOS

Abstract The polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder which influences outcome and potential risks involved with controlled ovarian stimulation for artificial reproductive techniques (ART). Concrete practical recommendations for the dosage of gonadotropins, the preferred protocol and preventive methods to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) are lacking. We present retrospective data of 235 individually calculated gonadotropin low-dose stimulations for ART in a single center from 2012 to 2014. Clinical data and outcome parameter of patients diagnosed with PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria (n = 39) were compared with patients without PCOS (n = 196). The starting dose of gonadotropins was individually calculated depending on patientsʼ age, BMI, ovarian reserve, ovarian response in previous cycles, and diagnostic criteria of PCOS. Mean age and duration of infertility did not differ between the groups, whereas mean BMI (p = 0.007) and AMH (p < 0.001) were higher in the PCOS-group. A lower mean FSH-starting and maximum dose was administered to women with PCOS (p < 0.001). The biochemical pregnancy rate of 42.4 % and the clinical pregnancy rate of 32.2 % for PCOS-patients did not differ from those of the control group (42.2 % and 34.4 % respectively). Neither mild, nor moderate or severe manifestation of OHSS occurred significantly more often in patients with PCOS. Our study supports the use of a calculated low-dose FSH-stimulation strategy in ART for patients with PCOS. Further randomized clinical trials should confirm this strategy and lead to define individual risk factors for OHSS, which can be used for recommendation of safer ART-techniques like in vitro maturation.
Evaluation of 5‐[18F]Fluoropropylepidepride as a potential pet radioligand for imaging dopamine D2 receptors

This study evaluated the utility of (S)‐N‐[(1‐ethyl‐2‐pyrrolidinyl)methyl]‐5‐(3‐[18F]fluoropropyl)‐2,3‐dimethoxybenzamide ([18F]fluoropropylepidepride), [18F]5‐FPrEpid, as a ligar d for PET studies of cerebral dopamine D2 receptors. The in vitro affinity for the rat striatal dopamine D2 receptor, KD 138 pM, was determined by Scatchard analysis of in vitro binding to rat striatal homogenate. The apparent lipophilicity, log kw 1.6, was measured with reverse phase HPLC at pH 7.5. The receptor specificity was determined by competitive displacement of [18F]5‐FPrEpid by a variety of neurotransmitter ligands. Only dopamine D2 ligands displaced [18F]5‐FPrEpid with high affinity. Positron tomographic imaging studies in primates of [18F]5‐FPrEpid demonstrated a stable striatal uptake. of 0.02% injected dose/ml for up to 5 h after injection. The striatal: cerebellar ratio increased from 2 at 15 min, to 7 at 200 min, and to 10 at 300 min. Striatal uptake was displaceable by haloperidol (1 mg/kg) or raclopride (2.5 mg/kg) to cerebellar levels with a t1/2 of washout of 9 or 15 min. Striatal uptake was mildly susceptible to displacement by d‐amphetamine (1–2 mg/kg) released endogenous dopamine; d‐amphetamine administration produced a 10%/h increase in the rate of striatal washout. Although uptake in the striatum is reversible, an equilibrium between receptor bound [18F]5‐FPrEpid in striatum and [18F]5‐FPrEpid in plasma is not reached within 5 h postinjection. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss. Inc.
Extended use of a percutaneous left-ventricular assist device without a heparin-based purge solution.

PURPOSE The extended use of an Impella LP 2.5 percutaneous left-ventricular assist device (pVAD) without a heparin-based purge solution in a patient who developed cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is described. SUMMARY A 58-year-old Asian man with no history of cardiac disease, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus had an AMI and subsequent cardiogenic shock. He was started on dopamine and norepinephrine and transferred to a tertiary care center for rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Given that his artery was patent with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow, PCI was not attempted. He had an ejection fraction of 25% and mid-distal anteroseptal akinesis. He was transferred to the intensive care unit on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate, and an Impella LP 2.5 pVAD was inserted for additional hemodynamic support and as a bridge to definitive revascularization. To reduce the potential for medication error and decrease the patient's bleeding risk, the purge solution was changed to 20% dextrose injection without heparin and continued at a rate of 15 mL/hr. The patient's hemodynamic values improved, and the pVAD and IABP were continued for the next five days. The patient was successfully anticoagulated with i.v. heparin throughout the remainder of pVAD support. While the patient did develop hemolytic anemia during his device support, there were no thrombotic or bleeding complications. CONCLUSION An Impella LP 2.5 pVAD was used for 75 hours with a purge solution that contained no heparin. There were no thrombotic or bleeding complications.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Associations between maternal and paternal parenting behaviors, anxiety and its precursors in early childhood: A meta-analysis

• Meta-analysis on associations between maternal and paternal parenting and child anxiety • Associations between parenting and child anxiety (0 – 5 years) are small. • Paternal, not maternal, challenging parenting is associated with less child anxiety. • Parenting is more strongly related to child anxiety symptoms than to anxiety precursors. • Fathers' parenting is more strongly related to child anxiety symptoms than mothers'.
70th Anniversary: Body weight regulation - food, gut and brain signalling Plenary Lecture 1 Contribution of the mesolimbic dopamine system in mediating the effects of leptin and ghrelin on feeding

Feeding behaviour is crucial for the survival of an organism and is regulated by different brain circuits. Among these circuits the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system is implicated in the anticipation and motivation for food rewards. This system consists of the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and their projections to different cortico-limbic structures such as the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. While the importance of this system in motivational drive for different rewards, including drugs of abuse, has been clearly established, its role in energy balance remains largely unexplored. Evidence suggests that peripheral hormones such as leptin and ghrelin are involved in the anticipation and motivation for food and this might be partially mediated through their effects on the VTA. Yet, it remains to be determined whether these effects are direct effects of ghrelin and leptin onto VTA DA neurons, and to what extent indirect effects through other brain areas contribute. Elucidation of the role of leptin and ghrelin signalling on VTA DA neurons in relation to disruptions of energy balance might provide important insights into the role of this neural circuit in obesity and anorexia nervosa. Dopamine: Feeding behaviour: Leptin: Ghrelin
Expression of human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18 superantigen is elevated in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the presence of a host-encoded superantigen as possible etiologic factor in pediatric rheumatic disease. We measured the expression and the ability of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) to induce the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18 superantigen in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS Expression levels of HERV-K18 were measured in peripheral blood or synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) from 13 patients with JRA, 11 pediatric SLE patients, and 24 healthy controls, by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, comparing 18S ribosomal transcripts as endogenous standard. IFN-alpha induction was tested by pretreatment of samples with 2000 U/ml. RESULTS HERV-K18 expression was significantly elevated in peripheral blood from patients with JRA (mean ratio of HERV-K18 to 18S ribosomal transcripts 2.456, SD 2.122; p = 0.014), but not patients with SLE (mean 0.997, SD 0.579; p = 0.258), compared to controls (mean 0.749, SD 0.598). HERV-K18 transcripts were detected in SFMC of 7/7 JRA patients. IFN-alpha induced HERV-K18 strongly in JRA (mean fold induction = 8.934, SD 15.556) and controls (mean 8.270, SD 6.609), but weakly in SLE (mean 2.432, SD 2.219; p = 0.009). HERV-K18 levels were found to be independent of previously determined modifiers of expression, including Epstein-Barr virus infection, IFN-alpha levels, or the percentage of B cells in peripheral blood. CONCLUSION HERV-K18 superantigen levels were elevated in JRA patients, but not pediatric patients with SLE, suggesting a possible mechanism for autoimmunity in the former group by superantigen stimulation of autoreactive T cells.
Speaking Fundamental Frequency: Some Physical and Social Correlates

Previous correlational studies have found no relationship between speaker height, weight and speaking fundamental frequency, although it has often been claimed that listeners can correctly identify the height, weight, and bodily build of speakers and that voice pitch is one of the cues used. In this study various social factors were controlled for, and contrasting samples of speech from each subject were analysed. Twelve men and 15 women, drawn from a socially homogeneous group, were asked to read two passages and to phonate the vowel /a:/ at "their lowest attainable pitch. " The median speaking fundamental frequency from both passages was calculated and a measure of basal F 0 was obtained from the phonation of /a:/. In contrast to other studies, a relationship was found between speaker height and median speaking fundamental frequency, but no relationship was found between speaker weight and F 0. The correlation between median speaking fundamental frequency and height was significant only in the male sample and in one passage. Physical and social interpretations for these findings are discussed.
Docetaxel combined with trastuzumab is an active regimen in HER-2 3+ overexpressing and fluorescent in situ hybridization-positive metastatic breast cancer: a multi-institutional phase II trial.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy and safety of weekly docetaxel and trastuzumab as first- or second-line therapy in women with HER-2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer and to correlate the efficacy of trastuzumab with HER-2 status as determined by immunohistochemistry assay and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-six women with HER-2-positive (HercepTest [Dako Corp, Carpenteria, CA]2 to 3+) metastatic breast cancer were enrolled onto this study of trastuzumab (4 mg/kg load; 2 mg/kg/wk administered intravenously) and docetaxel (35 mg/m2/wk for 6 weeks). RESULTS Using an intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 50% (13 of 26 patients). Eight patients (31%) had a period of stable disease posttherapy. Among HER-2 3+ patients, the overall response rate was 63% (12 of 19 patients) compared with a 14% response rate (one of seven patients) for HER-2 2+ patients (P=.07). Patients with FISH-positive tumors experienced an overall response rate of 64%. Median time to progression was 12.4 months for the entire cohort (HER-2 3+ tumors, 12.3 months; HER-2 2+ lesions, 9.5 months) and median survival was 22.1 months. All HER-2 3+ patients were FISH-positive; the only HER-2 2+ patient responding to treatment was also FISH-positive. Grade 4 toxicities occurred in four patients; most toxicities were mild. CONCLUSION Trastuzumab plus docetaxel is an active and well-tolerated regimen in women with HER-2 3+ overexpressing or FISH-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Role of Glutamate Decarboxylase-like Protein 1 (GADL1) in Taurine Biosynthesis*

Background: The biochemical activities and tissue distribution of GADL1 have remained unknown. Results: GADL1 is expressed in muscles and kidneys; it catalyzes decarboxylation of aspartate, cysteine sulfinic acid, and cysteic acid to produce β-alanine, hypotaurine, and taurine. Conclusion: GADL1 has aspartate 1-decarboxylase and cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase activities. Significance: GADL1 could potentially participate in mammalian taurine biosynthesis. This manuscript concerns the tissue-specific transcription of mouse and cattle glutamate decarboxylase-like protein 1 (GADL1) and the biochemical activities of human GADL1 recombinant protein. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that GADL1 appears late in evolution, only being found in reptiles, birds, and mammals. RT-PCR determined that GADL1 mRNA is transcribed at high levels in mouse and cattle skeletal muscles and also in mouse kidneys. Substrate screening determined that GADL1, unlike its name implies, has no detectable GAD activity, but it is able to efficiently catalyze decarboxylation of aspartate, cysteine sulfinic acid, and cysteic acid to β-alanine, hypotaurine, and taurine, respectively. Western blot analysis verified the presence of GADL1 in mouse muscles, kidneys, C2C12 myoblasts, and C2C12 myotubes. Incubation of the supernatant of fresh muscle or kidney extracts with cysteine sulfinic acid resulted in the detection of hypotaurine or taurine in the reaction mixtures, suggesting the possible involvement of GADL1 in taurine biosynthesis. However, when the tissue samples were incubated with aspartate, no β-alanine production was observed. We proposed several possibilities that might explain the inactivation of ADC activity of GADL1 in tissue protein extracts. Although β-alanine-producing activity was not detected in the supernatant of tissue protein extracts, its potential role in β-alanine synthesis cannot be excluded. There are several inhibitors of the ADC activity of GADL1 identified. The discovery of GADL1 biochemical activities, in conjunction with its expression and activities in muscles and kidneys, provides some tangible insight toward establishing its physiological function(s).
Prevalence and clinical correlates of medical comorbidities in patients with bipolar I disorder: analysis of acute-phase data from a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE We studied the relationship between number of medical comorbidities in patients with bipolar I disorder and their demographic and clinical characteristics. METHOD Data were from 174 patients in the acute phase of the Pittsburgh Maintenance Therapies in Bipolar Disorder (MTBD) study, a randomized controlled trial comparing Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy to an intensive clinical management approach for individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of bipolar I disorder or schizoaffective disorder, manic type, according to Research Diagnostic Criteria, who were receiving adjunctive protocol-driven pharmacotherapy. Patients entered the MTBD study from 1991 to 2000. We examined the acute-phase Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale scores, demographics, clinical history, and medical comorbidities. RESULTS Patients with a high number of medical comorbidities had longer duration of both lifetime depression (p = .02) and lifetime inpatient depression treatment (p = .04), had higher baseline HAM-D score (p = .01), and were more likely to be treated for a depressed clinical state during the acute phase of the MTBD study (p = .05). Moreover, higher severity of baseline medical comorbidities predicted slower decreases in HAM-D score among depressed (p = .004) and mixed/cycling (p = .003) patients even after controlling for baseline HAM-D score. CONCLUSIONS Medical illness is correlated with several indicators of poorer prognosis and outcome in bipolar I disorder. Not only do preventing and treating medical comorbidities in bipolar patients decrease the morbidity and mortality related to physical illness, but they could also enhance psychological well-being and possibly improve the course of bipolar illness. Identification of characteristics in bipolar I patients that are correlated to increased risk for medical comorbidities is a fundamental step in understanding the nature of the relationship between bipolar disorder and medical illness.
Desentralisasi Fiskal, Tax Efiort dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomiz Studi Empirik Kabupaten/Kota di Indonesia 2001-2008

Indonesia has implemented a new policy of regional autonomy and fiscal decentralization for almost ten years. One of the objectives of this fiscal decentralization is to give the full autonomy to local governments in spending and managing their revenues. The local governments have the authority to explore and collect their own-source revenue ('Pendapatan Asli Daerah', or PAD), i.e. through the improvement of their tax effort. The objectives of this study are: (i) to describe the fiscal performance of districts and municipalities in Indonesia, both in the revenue as well as the expenditure sides, (ii) to analyze the effects of intergovernmental transfers (’dana perimbangan', or balancing fund from the central to regional governments) on regional tax efforts, and (iii) to identify the regional economic growth elasticity of intergovernmental transfers and own-source revenue. This study employs a panel data set of 336 districts and municipalities covering the whole area of Indonesia over the time period of 2001-2008. The results show a relatively low contribution of PAD to regional revenues, indicating high fiscal dependency of regional governments on the central government. Intergovernmental transfers positively effect tax efforts. The result of the elasticity analysis also indicates a positive role of the transfers as stimuli to economic growth.
Delta-like toxin produced by coagulase-negative staphylococci is associated with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious neonatal disorder of uncertain cause, although fecal bacteria have been implicated in some outbreaks. We examined coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) as possible etiologic agents. In our unit, CONS colonized the bowels of most infants studied, including 46% of 70 NEC cases (mean concentration, 10(9.1) CFU/g of stool). Over 90% of tested isolates produced a hemolysin resembling delta toxin of Staphylococcus aureus. Toxin purified from a NEC-associated isolate of Staphylococcus epidermidis resembled reference delta toxin from S. aureus in size, biologic properties, and antigenicity. This delta-like toxin was enteropathic, causing mucosal necrosis and hemorrhage in injected loops of the bowels of infant rats. Adjacent, nonexposed bowel remained normal, as did loops injected with lecithin-neutralized toxin. Using a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we detected delta-like toxin in the stools of 11 of 35 infants colonized with CONS positive for delta-like toxin (Tox+). Positive tests were strongly associated with NEC. Of 18 cases with Tox+ CONS, 10 were positive (56%), whereas only 1 of 17 control infants so colonized was positive (6%, P = 0.002). In NEC patients, the mean fecal toxin concentration was 1,012 ng/g. Toxicity to fibroblasts was demonstrable in filtrates of each of six ELISA-positive samples tested but was absent in all five ELISA-negative samples tested. We conclude that delta-like toxin is elaborated in the bowels of some infants with Tox+ CONS, and its association with NEC suggests that such CONS are enteropathic. In our unit, this mechanism was apparent in 23% of 44 recent cases of endemic NEC.
Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Waste for Fuel Gas Production

Anaerobic digestion offers a potential means of converting organic solid waste into fuel gas and thereby provide a supplemental and readily utilizable source of energy. We are particularly interested in the use of thermophilic digestion over a mesophilic operation for it can achieve higher rates of digestion, greater conversion of waste organics to gas, faster solid–liquid separation, and minimization of bacterial and viral pathogen accumulation. Our results comparing mesophilic (37°C) and thermophilic (65°C) anaerobic digestion of domestic solid waste confirm the increased rate and conversion of waste to methane. In addition, utilizing radioactive labeling of glucose and acetic acid, we have measured the volumetric rates of volatile acid production and disappearance under both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions.
Adapting and testing the oral impacts on daily performances among adults and elderly in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES To cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) in Brazilians aged 50-74 years; to test the impact of oral health on 'work' and 'vigorous physical activity'. BACKGROUND Clinical oral health indicators do not assess the perceived impact of oral health on people's lives. METHODS The study was performed through small group interviews, pilot studies and a main study with 200 people aged 50 and over. Data were collected through interviews in health centres. RESULTS For content validity, 'eating' (1.00, p < 0.001) and 'speaking' (0.96, p < 0.001) obtained the highest level of agreement among experts. For criterion and construct validity, there was an inverse correlation between self-rated oral health, perceived oral treatment needs and satisfaction with oral health and OIDP score. Cronbach's alpha coefficient varied from 0.69 to 0.67 when 'work' and 'vigorous physical activities' were deleted. Test-retest reliability was 0.69 (ICC). CONCLUSION The validation process showed that the Brazilian OIDP has the necessary basic psychometric properties to be used in the 50-74 years age group in Brazil. 'Work' and 'vigorous physical activities' had low impact on oral health. The activity 'vigorous physical activities' was not maintained in the instrument because of its low impact, while 'work' was maintained due of the increase in the 50-59 years age group in the Brazilian population.