Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Streptococcal antibody titers in Sydenham's chorea.

Antistreptolysin O (ASO), anti-desoxyribonuclease B (anti-DNAse B), and anti-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase (anti-NADase) titers were determined on patients with Sydenham's chorea and a matched group of controls. For each of the antibodies studied, elevated titers were found in a significant percentage of patients with chorea as compared with control individuals. This finding was also true of patients with "pure chorea" on whom antibody titers were performed within 6 months of the onset of choreic symptoms. Ten of 30 such patients failed to show an elevated ASO titer. Four of these were found to have markedly elevated anti-DNAse B titers. Elevation of two or more antibody tests, which is highly suggestive of recent streptococcal infection, was found in the majority (63%) of patients with pure chorea seen within 6 months as compared with the control group (10%). The practical and potential usefulness of multiple streptococcal antibody tests in patients with pure Sydenham's chorea is discussed.
Evaluation of Molar Teeth and Buds in Patients Submitted to Mandible Distraction: Long-Term Results

Background: Despite all benefits offered by mandible distraction, complications and long-term consequences need to be evaluated to define its safety and morbidity. Forty mandible distractions were studied. Panoramic mandible radiographs obtained preoperatively, during distraction, and during the postoperative period were reviewed, with the intention of evaluating development and complications of molar buds and teeth in the distraction area. Methods: The mean patient age was 8.1 years. Twenty-five patients had craniofacial microsomia (one associated with a no. 10 facial cleft), five had temporomandibular joint ankylosis, two had familiar cases of auriculocondylar syndrome, one had a Tessier no. 30 facial cleft, and one had Treacher Collins syndrome. The severity of mandible hypoplasia was Pruzansky grade I in four cases, grade IIA in eight cases, grade IIB in 16 cases, and grade III in one case. Mean radiographic follow-up was 44.8 months. Results: Molar buds located in the distraction area erupted without any deformity or displacement in 18 sides (45 percent). Fourteen cases presented distalization of a dental bud to a superior position in the mandibular ramus (four migrated back to the original position). Six molar buds presented perforations, four had shape deformities (two caused by dental fracture), and two had dental root injuries followed by root absorption lately. One case developed a dentigerous cyst. Conclusions: Almost half of the patients did not have any molar bud or tooth alterations after mandible distraction, and more than 20 percent presented only bud distalization. Therefore, preventive bud enucleation or tooth extraction should be avoided before mandible distraction.
Impact of intangibility on perceived risk associated with online games

Online computer gaming is growing at a rapid pace. However, this phenomenon is stigmatised by many negative connotations. This study investigated the influence of intangibility on perceived risks (social, time, financial, physical, performance and psychology) among online gamers. The self-completed market survey questionnaire employs the Intangibility and Perceived Risk scales. Data were gathered in Taipei city, the biggest metropolitan areain Taiwan. Both public (1018) and online (400) voluntary interviews were conducted. The collected data were analysed with a structural equation model. There is a significant positive relationship between intangibility and alldimensions of perceived risk. The findings have managerial implications and future research is suggested.
Chandra monitoring of the Galactic Centre magnetar SGR J1745−2900 during the initial 3.5 years of outburst decay

FCZ, NR, PE, AB and JE acknowledge funding in the framework of a Vidi award A.2320. 0076 of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (PI: N. Rea), and the European COST Action MP1304 (NewCOMPSTAR). FCZ, NR and DFT are supported by grant AYA2015-71042-P. NR and DFT are also supported by grant SGR2014-1073. RT, AT and SM acknowledge financial contribution from the agreement ASI/INAF I/037/12/0 and from PRIN INAF 2014. JAP acknowledges support by grants AYA2015-66899-C2-2-P and PROMETEOII-2014-069. AP is supported via an EU Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual fellowship under contract no. 660657-TMSP-H2020-MSCA-IF-2014. RPM acknowledges financial support from an ‘Occhialini Fellowship’. DH acknowledges support from a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant and a Fonds de recherche du Quebec Nature et Technologies Nouveaux Chercheurs Grant. GP acknowledges support via the Bundesministerium fur Wirtschaft und Technologie/Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt (BMWI/DLR, FKZ 50 OR 1604) and the Max Planck Society.
Th1 and Th2 cytokine gene polymorphisms in two indigenous ethnic groups in Iran

Cytokines are important immunomodulatory molecules in immune responses against microorganisms and also have an important role in the setting of disorders affecting immune system. Cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms have been extensively studied in different normal populations as well as in relation to diseases. Some of these polymorphisms (SNP) affect cytokine gene transcription and expression. The polymorphisms of cytokine genes are potentially important as genetic predictors of the disease susceptibility and clinical outcome or as a tool for anthropological studies. In this study, samples have been collected from 261 healthy individuals located in two different regions of Iran (Tehran and Yazd). The allele and genotype frequencies of Th1 and Th2 cytokines SNP including interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ have been investigated, using the polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primer method.
Choosing None of the Above: Persistence of Negativity after Group Discussion and Group Decision Refusal

Within psychology and other disciplines, group decision making is a much-studied topic. However, the conditions in which groups do not decide but rather refuse to choose among available options have not been studied systematically. This research begins to fill this void, studying the effects of the initial opinions of group members on group decision refusal. Based on the common knowledge effect, it is predicted and found that groups will often refuse all available options when group members are initially negative about the options. It is further found that, when initial opinions are negative, positive information entered during group discussion does not have much impact. The implications of this negativity bias are discussed.
Investor Relations and Information Assimilation

This paper examines whether investor relations (IR) officers provide value by facilitating the assimilation of firm information by the market. We find that firms with IR officers have lower stock price volatility, lower analyst forecast dispersion, higher analyst forecast accuracy, and quicker price discovery, consistent with IR officers aiding market participants in their assimilation of firm information. We also show that our findings are stronger for firms with longer-tenured IR officers. Finally, we find that when firms transition from a long-tenured IR officer to a new IR officer, stock price volatility increases, analyst forecasts become more disperse and less accurate, and the price discovery process slows, despite no significant change in the firm's disclosures, media coverage, or performance around the turnover. Collectively, these findings suggest that in-house IR officers, particularly those with greater experience, help facilitate information assimilation by the market, which has positive market effects. JEL Classifications: G14; M40; M41.
The immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells: mode of action and pathways

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being increasingly investigated as a therapeutic alternative, not only for their possible regenerative potential but also for their immunomodulatory action, which is being exploited for controlling diseases associated with inflammation. Understanding their direct and indirect target cells, as well as their mode of action and relevant pathways, is a prerequisite for the appropriate and optimal use of MSCs in therapy. Here, we review recent findings on the effects of MSCs on adaptive and innate immune cells. We also consider the impact of the environment on MSC profile, both anti‐ and proinflammatory, and the mechanisms and molecular pathways through which their effects are mediated, both at the MSC and target cell levels.
Peripheral Zone Prostate Cancer Localization by Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance at 3 T: Unbiased Cancer Identification by Matching to Histopathology

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of peripheral zone prostate cancer localization by multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) at 3 T using segmental matching of histopathology and MR images to avoid bias by image features in selection of cancer and noncancer regions. Materials and MethodsForty-eight patients underwent multiparametric MR imaging (MRI) on a 3 T system using a phased array body coil and spine coil elements for signal detection before prostatectomy. The examination included T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCE-MRI), and MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). Histopathology slides were correlated to T2W images and a stringent matching procedure was performed to define cancer and noncancer areas of the peripheral zone without influence of the MR image appearance. Mean T2W signal intensity, apparent diffusion coefficient, area under the enhancement curve, and choline + creatine-to-citrate signal ratio were calculated for cancer and noncancer areas. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed on MR-derived parameters from the selected areas. Logistic regression was used to create models based on best combination of parameters. A simplified approach assigning a parametric score to each segment based on cutoff values from ROC analysis was also explored. ResultsBy using the stringent matching procedure, 138 noncancer and 41 cancer segments were selected in the T2W images and transferred to the images of the other MR methods. A significant difference between mean values in cancer and noncancer segments was observed for all MR parameters analyzed (P < 0.001). Apparent diffusion coefficient was the best performing single parameter, with an area under the ROC curve Az,DWI of 0.90 for prostate cancer detection. Any combination of T2WI, DWI, and DCE-MRI was significantly better than T2WI alone in separating cancer from noncancer segments (Az,T2WI + DWI + DCE-MRI = 0.94, Az,T2WI + DWI = 0.92, Az,T2WI + DCE-MRI = 0.91, Az,T2WI = 0.85). The combination of T2WI and MRSI was also better than T2WI alone (Az, T2WI + MRSI = 0.90); however, the logistic regression models including MRSI did not have significant parameters. The simplified approach combining all parameters gave similar results to logistic regression combining all parameters (Az = 0.95 and 0.97, respectively). ConclusionBy selecting histopathology defined cancer and noncancer areas without influence of image contrast, this study objectively reveals that all investigated MR parameters have the ability to separate cancer from noncancer areas in the peripheral zone individually and that any combination is better than T2WI alone.
Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups in the Czech Population Compared to Other European Countries

Abstract The analysis of mtDNA haplogroup frequency in various populations is a tool for studying human history and population dynamics. The aim of this study is to map the frequency of major mtDNA haplogroups in 300 maternally unrelated individuals representing the Czech population of the central part of the Czech Republic. Eighteen polymorphic sites in the coding region of mtDNA were screened by PCR-RFLP to determine 11 mtDNA haplogroups and 5 subhaplogroups. The most frequent haplogroups were H (41%) and U (21%). Less frequent haplogroups were J and T, each with a frequency of 8%. Frequencies of other haplogroups (V, K, HV, W, preV, X, and I) did not exceed 5%. The results of our study reveal that the frequency of mtDNA haplogroups in the Czech population is similar to the frequencies obtained in other European countries, especially Poland, Germany, and Russia. On the contrary, significant differences in haplogroup frequency were found between the Czech and Finnish populations (haplogroups U, T, W) and populations from Bulgaria and Turkey (haplogroups H).
Impact of MLC leaf position errors on simple and complex IMRT plans for head and neck cancer

The dosimetric impact of random and systematic multi-leaf collimator (MLC) leaf position errors is relatively unknown for head and neck intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) patients. In this report we studied 17 head and neck IMRT patients, including 12 treated with simple plans (<50 segments) and 5 treated with complex plans (>100 segments). Random errors (−2 to +2 mm) and systematic errors (±0.5 mm and ±1 mm) in MLC leaf positions were introduced into the clinical plans and the resultant dose distributions were analyzed based on defined endpoint doses. The dosimetric effect was insignificant for random MLC leaf position errors up to 2 mm for both simple and complex plans. However, for systematic MLC leaf position errors, we found significant dosimetric differences between the simple and complex IMRT plans. For 1 mm systematic error, the average changes in D95% were 4% in simple plans versus 8% in complex plans. The average changes in D0.1 cc of the spinal cord and brain stem were 4% in simple plans versus 12% in complex plans. The average changes in parotid glands were 9% in simple plans versus 13% for the complex plans. Overall, simple IMRT plans are less sensitive to leaf position errors than complex IMRT plans.
Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma-Enhanced Quantum-Well Intermixing: Cap Layer Effect and Plasma Process Influence

Comprehensive investigation on inductively coupled argon plasma-enhanced quantum-well intermixing is done on an InGaAs-InP quantum-well structure with p-/n-doped InP and InGaAs caps using polarized edge-emitting photoluminescence analysis technique. The derived diffusion lengths on group V and III sublattices show that the cap material plays an important role as it influences both the accumulation and diffusion of point defects during plasma process and annealing process, respectively. The large blue and red shift can be realized with p-InP and n-InGaAs caps, respectively, by controlling the diffusion length ratio for interdiffusion on two sublattices.
The use of an automated growth analyser to measure recovery times of single heat‐injured Salmonella cells

A new approach to the study of recovery times of single heat‐injured Salmonella cells isdescribed. It comprises the generation of a standard heat‐injured culture, serial dilution of thisculture to near extinction, inoculation of the serial dilutions across many microtitre plates andmeasurement of the subsequent recovery and growth using an automated turbidometric analyser.Lag times for individual cells were estimated from turbidity data using a model that accuratelyextrapolated the growth curve back to the starting inoculum level. Lag times were comparedusing a number of different commercially available pre‐enrichment media. The most typical resultwas a very broad distribution of lag times at the single cell inoculum level, with many values inexcess of 20 h. Even at an inoculum level 10‐fold higher, lag times for some injured cells wereestimated to be >10 h. More significantly, it was found that some media recovered more injuredcells than others and vice versa. Between the worst and best media there were as many as 3 log10 cycles difference in the number of cells recoverable. No trends were apparent linkingchoice of medium with performance. The implications of these findings, in relation to traditionaland rapid methodology, are discussed.
Bioconversion of Recalcitrant 4‐Methyldibenzothiophene to Water‐Extractable Products Using Lignin‐Degrading Basidiomycete Coriolus versicolor

Under secondary metabolic conditions, the white‐rot basidiomycete Coriolus versicolormetabolized 4‐methyldibenzothiophene (MDBT), which is a recalcitrant organic sulfur contaminant found in petroleum. The pathway of the transformation of MDBT was elucidated by the identification of fungal metabolites upon the addition of MDBT and its metabolic intermediates. S‐oxidation to form MDBT‐5‐oxide was the initial step of MDBT metabolism. Then, the metabolic pathway was branched to form MDBT‐5‐dioxide, which was a dead‐end product, and hydroxymethylDBT (HMDBT) ‐5‐oxide. Extracellular ligninolytic enzymes such as lignin and manganese peroxidases and laccase did not catalyze the oxidation of either MDBT or MDBT‐5‐oxide. HMDBT‐5‐oxide was then oxidized to HMDBT‐5‐dioxide. Piperonyl butoxide, an inhibitor of cytochrome P450, suppressed fungal oxidation of MDBT to its oxide, MDBT‐5‐oxide to dioxide and to HMDBT‐5‐oxide, and HMDBT‐5‐oxide to dioxide. The efficiency of the inhibition varied for each substrate, suggesting that each oxidation was catalyzed by different enzymes. The hydroxylation of methyl substituents to the hydroxymethyl group was suggested to be catalyzed by a novel monooxygenase. HMDBT‐5‐dioxide was finally xylosylated most likely by xylosyltrasferase to yield 10‐(β‐d‐xylopyranosyloxy) ‐4‐methyldibenzothiophene‐5‐dioxide. The final xyloside product and metabolic intermediates are water‐extractable compounds, which would give us a novel strategy for biodesulfurization technology.
A Simple and Unifying Approach to Subjective Objects

Abstract Most object-oriented languages are objective: an object always responds to the same message in the same way. Subjective objects more closely match naturally occurring systems, and they provide consistent solutions to a wide range of problems, problems that otherwise must be solved by varied and specialized mechanisms. Applying a perspective-receiver symmetry principle in designing the subjectivity semantics of an object-oriented language results in a semantically uncluttered language with a surprisingly wide range of utility. We employ this approach in creating the language Us, a subjective version of Self.
Toward a Typology of Confidentiality Breaches in Health Care Communication: An Ethic of Care Analysis of Provider Practices and Patient Perceptions

Confidentiality should be a fundamental right of patients in a health care setting. However, health care providers who take an oath to uphold confidentiality often neglect this basic patient right. Breaching confidential health information is a serious ethical problem and a communication issue that, historically, has received limited empirical, theoretical, or practical attention. The goals of this project were to frame this issue from an ethic of care perspective, define the concept of a confidentiality breach, identify the types of confidentiality breaches being communicated in health care organizations, and understand how patients perceive these breaches. Based on interviews with 51 patients and observations of health care providers, a definition and typology of confidentiality breaches emerged. Theoretical and practical implications also became evident.
Maternal alcohol consumption and offspring DNA methylation: findings from six general population-based birth cohorts

Aim: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is sometimes associated with adverse outcomes in offspring, potentially mediated by epigenetic modifications. We aimed to investigate genome-wide DNA methylation in cord blood of newborns exposed to alcohol in utero. Materials & methods: We meta-analyzed information from six population-based birth cohorts within the Pregnancy and Childhood Epigenetics consortium. Results: We found no strong evidence of association at either individual CpGs or across larger regions of the genome. Conclusion: Our findings suggest no association between maternal alcohol consumption and offspring cord blood DNA methylation. This is in stark contrast to the multiple strong associations previous studies have found for maternal smoking, which is similarly socially patterned. However, it is possible that a combination of a larger sample size, higher doses, different timings of exposure, exploration of a different tissue and a more global assessment of genomic DNA methylation might show evidence of association.
Apparent Epidemic of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Midwestern Poland

There is no information concerning the risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in eastern Europe. An IDDM registry has been developed in Midwest Poland for 1970-1984. The risk of developing IDDM in Polish children was determined through utilization of the registry. The incidence of IDDM in Polish children was very low compared with other Caucasian populations. There was a major increase in risk beginning in 1982; the incidence almost doubled from 3.5/100,000 in 1970-1981 to 6.6/100,000 in 1982-1984. The pattern of IDDM in the high-risk period was different from that in the low-risk period, with an altered seasonal pattern and unusual increased incidence in younger children. The rapid increase in incidence as well as altered epidemiologic patterns during this period suggest that major alterations of environmental factors were responsible for the change in risk.
The syndrome of irreversible lithium effectuated neurotoxicity.

Leigh's disease is rather a nosological mess at the present time with cases being reported from various times of life, and with various bits of evidence incriminating different metabolic pathways in the energy generating system. Provided that we keep our eyes firmly fixed on the fact that acute energy deprivation seems to be at its root, and this may come about from various causes, both environmental and genetic, it becomes easier to think constructively about the fundamental nature of the problem.
Catheter-assisted 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging of primary bladder cancer: a prospective study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the value of a standardized 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) protocol for imaging of primary bladder cancer, using standardized bladder flushing and filling. MethodsWe included 19 patients with cT1-4 bladder cancer. A Foley catheter was inserted before 18F-FDG injection. PET/CT imaging was performed according to four bladder protocols: (1) bladder empty; (2) bladder empty after flushing; (3) bladder filled with 50 ml saline; and (4) bladder filled with 100 ml saline. Tumour visibility was assessed and compared with histopathology or CT and cystoscopy. ResultsThe procedure was successfully completed in 16 out of 19 patients. The reference standard revealed a bladder tumour in 16 out of 19 patients. Sensitivity of protocols 1 and 2 was 0.38 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.16–0.64] compared with 0.63 (95% CI, 0.36–0.84) for protocols 3 and 4. ConclusionFlushing and subsequent retrograde filling of the bladder results in the highest rate of tumour visualization and quantification. Flushing alone is inferior.
Increased HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in Rome

Among 976 men who have sex with men (MSM) who had undergone repeat HIV testing between 1984 and 2003 at a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Rome, Italy, we observed a dramatic increase in HIV incidence in 2002 and 2003, with the cumulative incidence for 2000–2003 being twice as high as that for 1984–1995, and significantly higher than that for 1996–1999. This trend suggests the need for interventions aimed at encouraging behavioural changes among MSM.