Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rituximab in autoimmune connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE CTD-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) often fails to respond to conventional immunomodulatory agents. There is now considerable interest in the use of rituximab in systemic autoimmune CTD in patients refractory to standard treatments. The aim of this study was to review the experience of North Bristol NHS Trust managing patients with CTD-associated ILD with rituximab and explore possible associations with treatment response. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who received rituximab under the Bristol CTD-ILD service, having failed to respond to other immunomodulatory treatments. Results were collated for pulmonary function and radiological outcomes before and after treatment. RESULTS Twenty-four patients were treated with rituximab. Their physiological parameters had failed to improve despite other immunomodulatory agents, with a mean change in forced vital capacity (FVC) prior to therapy of - 3.3% (95% CI - 5.6, -1.1) and mean change in diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide of - 4.3% (95% CI - 7.7, -0.9). After rituximab, radiology remained stable or improved for 11 patients, while worsening was observed in 9 patients. The decline in FVC was halted following treatment, with a mean change of + 4.1% (95% CI 0.9, 7.2), while diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide was stable [mean change +2.1% (95% CI - 1.0, 5.2)]. Patients with myositis overlap or antisynthetase syndrome appeared to respond well to treatment, with four patients showing clinically significant improvement in FVC >10%. CONCLUSION Rituximab is a therapeutic option in treatment-refractory CTD-associated ILD. Some disease subgroups may respond better than others, however, more work is needed to define its role in managing these patients.
Evaluation of age-dependent response to NMDA receptor antagonism in zebrafish.

Abstract Imbalances in glutamatergic signaling have been proposed as the cause of several neurological disturbances. The use of MK-801, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, to mimic features of these neurological disorders is effective both in mammals and in fish. However, the variability of the subunits comprising the NMDA receptor during development alters the pharmacokinetic properties of the receptor and leads to different responses to this drug. Here, we evaluated the locomotor response of zebrafish to MK-801 (1, 5, and 20 μM) through the development (30 days postfertilization [dpf] to 2 years postfertilization [ypf]). The NMDA receptor subunit gene expression was also analyzed through the development (7 dpf to 2 ypf). Zebrafish displayed an age-related response to MK-801 with a higher response at 60 and 120 dpf. The magnitude of hyperlocomotion promoted by MK-801 seems to be less powerful for zebrafish in relation to rodents. The verification of expression levels in zebrafish NMDA rec.
Effects of environmental salinity on somatic growth and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in juvenile tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus

Hormonal control of growth was examined in juvenile Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus under different environmental salinities. When juve nile tilapia were acclimated to fresh water (FW) or to full-strength sea water (SW) for 3 weeks, growth rate of the SW-acclimated fish doubled compared to FW fish. Pituitary mRNA levels of growth hormone (GH) were significantly higher in SW-adapted tilapia compared with FW fish, while the gene expression of prolactin (PRL188 and PRL177) in SW fish was lower than in the FW group. The release and synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were significantly elevated in the SW fish. This in dicates that the GH/IGF-1 axis is up-regulated in juvenile tilapia in SW and likely leads to the observed elevation in growth. Transfer of the juveniles from FW to 70% SW, while PRL188 mRNA levels were significantly elevated after transfer of the 70% SW fish to FW. Our findings indicate that the GH/IGF-I axis plays important roles both in growth and in osmoregulation in juvenile tilapia in SW.
Calibration-less Nauta OTA operating at 0.25-V power supply in a 130-nm digital CMOS process

This work presents an architecture for Nauta fully differential operational transconductance amplifier that requires no additional circuitry for calibration. This design operates with a power supply of 0.25-V, implemented in a 130-nm digital CMOS process. By operating in the weak inversion region and using the transistor array approach, this OTA shows voltage reduction and stable gain using halo implanted transistors. The proposed OTA can operate at a voltage range from 0.15-V to 0.35-V, consuming only 6-nW to 333-nW of power and presenting a measured transconductance of 2.24-μS at 0.25-V. This makes it suitible for low-power Gm-C filters, such as biquad, which needs a wider range of frequencies (30-Hz to 6-kHz).
Comparative Antioxidant Power Determination of Taraxacum officinale by FRAP and DTPH Method

Antioxidant activity has been assessed by in vitro method for phytochemical fraction of plant; viz. water extracts of root, stem and flower of Taraxacum officinale plant. This investigation was under taken to evaluate water extracts of taraxacum officinale plant for possible antioxidants potential. Antiradical activity of all extracts was measured by 1, 1, diphenyl-2, picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and was compared to ascorbic acid and Ferric reducing power (FRAP) of the extract. In the present study two in vitro models were used for evaluation of antioxidant activity. The first one method was for direct measurement of reducing power and the other one for radical scavenging activity. The present study revealed the Taraxacum officinale has significant radical scavenging activity.
“Cloned” Hairlines: The Use of Bisected Hair Follicles to Create Finer Hairlines

BACKGROUND One living hair follicle, if horizontally bisected in the proper location, can be induced to subsequently produce two growing follicles. Their unpredictable growth rate, often less than 50%, has limited their use on a large scale. Their resultant finer caliber, however, can be used to benefit patients undergoing hair replacement surgery. OBJECTIVE To determine whether horizontally bisected hairs can be employed to create finer, feathered anterior and temporal hairlines. METHODS Twenty autologous terminal donor hairs were bisected as closely as possible to the “bulge” area immediately inferior to the zone of attachment of the arrector pili muscle. The 20 hair “shafts” were implanted along the left hairline. Twenty “bulbs” were implanted along the right hairline. Growth was evaluated and tabulated 2.5–8 months after transplant surgery. The procedure has been performed on 14 patients to date. Follow-up has been obtained on six patients ranging in age from 29 to 57 years. RESULTS Overall, patients exhibited 46% growth from hair “shafts” (upper portion) and 47% growth from “bulbs” (lower portion). These bisected hairs were finer in caliber (diameter) than the original donor hairs. CONCLUSION Horizontally bisected donor hairs can be implanted to create finer hairlines than otherwise would be expected from the theory of donor dominance. Further study is necessary in order to evaluate long-term success and additional applications of this technique.
Are Green Labels More Valuable in Emerging Real Estate Markets ?

This article investigates how emerging real estate markets price information conveyed by voluntary environmental certification schemes. In addition to low incidence of green buildings, developing countries typically exhibit weaker environmental performance due to limited capacity to enforce existing regulation. Therefore, we exploit the role of internationally accredited third-party environmental audit schemes. In addition to comparing labelled and non-labelled properties in a hedonic framework, we also examine pricing discrepancies related with the intention to certify (registration), but failure to achieve actual certification in a timely manner. Our results systematically indicate that labelled office properties in emerging markets yield a larger green premium than their peers from developed countries. Findings also suggest that failed applicants do not receive any green premiums and may be subject to discounts, depending on specification, beyond that of other non-green office buildings. These findings provide further evidence of the relevance of market diffusion and economic governance linked to the implicit pricing of environmental labels.
Upregulated Expression of Connexin43 in Spinal Ligament Fibroblasts Derived From Patients Presenting Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Study Design. A case-control study was conducted. Objective. To investigate different expressions of connexin43 (Cx43) between spinal ligament fibroblasts from patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and non-OPLL patients and demonstrate knockdown of Cx43 protein expression by RNA interference inhibiting expression of osteoblast-specific genes in OPLL cells. Summary of Background Data. The OPLL is characterized by ectopic bone formation in spinal ligaments. Some evidence indicates that ligament fibroblasts from OPLL patients have osteogenic characteristics. However, the relevant cellular signaling pathways remain unclear. Methods. Twenty patients presenting with OPLL and 18 non-OPLL patients underwent anterior decompression between January 2008 and June 2009. Specimens of the posterior longitudinal ligament were collected intraoperatively. Tissue fragment cell culture was performed. Inverted phase contrast microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to observe cell morphology. The mouse antivimentin antibody was used to identify the cultured cells via immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence. The messenger RNA expression of osteoblast-specific genes of osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and type I collagen (COL I) were detected in OPLL and non-OPLL cells by semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of Cx43 was detected via Western blotting. And then, after 72 hours, when RNA interference against Cx43 was performed in OPLL cells, expression of the indexes mentioned earlier was compared again between the transfection group and the nontransfection group. Results. Cultivated cells were observed 7 to 10 days after cell culture. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed fusiform and multiangular star morphologies, large and elliptical cell nuclei, and ill-defined cell appearances. Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence exhibited positive results of vimentin staining. The messenger RNA expressions of OCN, ALP, and COL I and protein expressions of Cx43 from OPLL fibroblasts were greater than those from non-OPLL cells, and the difference was significant. Furthermore, knockdown of Cx43 protein expression inhibited the messenger RNA expressions of OCN, ALP, and COL I remarkably in the transfection group compared with the nontransfection group, 72 hours after RNA interference targeting Cx43 was performed in OPLL cells. Conclusion. Tissue fragment culture of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament provided a successful fibroblast culture, showing good adherence and subculture. The cultured fibroblasts from OPLL patients exhibited osteogenic characteristics, in which Cx43 played an important role.
Reporting ethical protections in physical therapy research.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Efforts to make physical therapy more evidence based have increased demand for human participants, raising concerns for their safety and welfare. This study examined how often research articles in physical therapy journals report basic ethical protections. METHODS We carried out a retrospective audit of research articles in 6 physical therapy journals between 1996 and 2001. RESULTS Of 806 articles reviewed, 48% documented both research ethics committee approval and informed consent. Articles reporting clinical interventions had the highest reported rate (64%) of both protections. Articles reporting qualitative methods, chart reviews, and case reports had the lowest rates of documentation of both requirements: 30%, 17%, and 11%, respectively. Reported rates of both requirements in vulnerable populations were 55% for children, 48% for students, and 33% for employees. Twenty-six percent of articles included confidentiality assurances. Case reports were most likely and chart reviews were least likely to mention confidentiality: 88% and 8%, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION There is no uniform editorial policy among physical therapy journals for reporting basic ethical requirements. Physical therapy journals should standardize ethical protections and make documentation of compliance a prerequisite of publication.
Integrating Behavioural and Branding Perspectives to Maximize Green Brand Equity: A Holistic Approach

The aim of this study is to expand the existing understanding of green consumers' behaviour by proposing and testing an integrated conceptual model that explores the influence of consumers' personal concerns for the environment and general attitudes towards green products on brand-related knowledge structures (image and associations) and relationship preferences (trust and brand equity) for green brands. A questionnaire-based survey method was used to collect data using convenience sampling. One hundred and ninety-nine usable responses were obtained. A structural equation modelling procedure was used to test the proposed hypotheses. The results confirmed that a positive relationship exists between consumer concern for environmental values and general attitudes towards green products. Both these constructs influence consumers' knowledge structure of a green brand (image and associations). Furthermore, a strong relationship exists between consumers' knowledge structure (image and associations) and their relational preference (trust and brand equity) with green brands. These findings are important for business strategy formulation by providing empirical support for the idea that a firm should invest its resources not only to project its environmentally friendly brands but also to build consumers' concern for environmental values and their attitude towards green products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Executive pension, default risk, and earnings management*

Abstract The value of executive pension plans depends significantly on the incidence of bankruptcy because executive pension plans have characteristics similar to unsecured debt. These unique characteristics lead us to investigate whether managers change their firms’ accounting policy to protect their pension plans when their firms face imminent default risk. Identifying a firm’s default risk with various proxies, we find that managers with executive pension plans are more likely to engage in income-increasing earnings management during a year of high default risk as compared to managers without such pension plans. The result remains robust with the use of propensity score matching and two-stage least squares regression analysis to alleviate the endogeneity issues in our hypothesized relationships. In addition, we find that the results are more pronounced for ex-post bankrupt firms.
Inhibition of histone acetyltransferase by glycosaminoglycans

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are a class of enzymes that participate in modulating chromatin structure and gene expression. Altered HAT activity has been implicated in a number of diseases, yet little is known about the regulation of HATs. In this study, we report that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are potent inhibitors of p300 and pCAF HAT activities in vitro, with heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) being the most potent inhibitors. The mechanism of inhibition by heparin was investigated. The ability of heparin to inhibit HAT activity was in part dependent upon its size and structure, as small heparin‐derived oligosaccharides (>8 sugars) and N‐desulfated or O‐desulfated heparin showed reduced inhibitory activity. Heparin was shown to bind to pCAF; and enzyme assays indicated that heparin shows the characteristics of a competitive‐like inhibitor causing an ∼50‐fold increase in the apparent Km of pCAF for histone H4. HSPGs isolated from corneal and pulmonary fibroblasts inhibited HAT activity with similar effectiveness as heparin. As evidence that endogenous GAGs might be involved in modulating histone acetylation, the direct addition of heparin to pulmonary fibroblasts resulted in an ∼50% reduction of histone H3 acetylation after 6 h of treatment. In addition, Chinese hamster ovary cells deficient in GAG synthesis showed increased levels of acetylated histone H3 compared to wild‐type parent cells. GAGs represent a new class of HAT inhibitors that might participate in modulating cell function by regulating histone acetylation. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 108–120, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pregnancy outcome and complications in women with spina bifida.

OBJECTIVE To describe the antenatal complications, mode of delivery and outcome of pregnancy in women with spina bifida. STUDY DESIGN Case series of women known to have attended the spina bifida clinic at the Royal Children's Hospital. Medical records, postal questionnaire and telephone interview were utilized to collect data on the effect of pregnancy on the health of women and the effect of spina bifida on pregnancy outcome. RESULTS Of 207 women born between 1945 and 1975, 23 reported having a pregnancy, and 17 who had completed pregnancies agreed to participate. The 17 women had a total of 29 pregnancies, with 23 pregnancies progressing to births. Fourteen of 17 women had antenatal admissions, with wheelchair-dependent women requiring more-frequent and longer admissions. Recurrent urinary infections in pregnancy occurred in women with a prior history of urinary infections; stomal problems occurred but were not serious; mobility was reduced for two women during pregnancy, with full recovery afterwards; and preexisting pressure sores worsened during pregnancy. Vaginal deliveries occurred in one in five pregnancies of women who were wheelchair dependent and in ten of eighteen pregnancies in independently mobile women, including seven of eight pregnancies of independently mobile women without ileal conduits. Cesarean sections were accompanied by postoperative complications in 10 women. CONCLUSION Women with spina bifida who become pregnant generally have a positive outcome, with relatively low complication rates.
Relation between retrobulbar circulation and progression of diabetic retinopathy

Aims: To investigate retrobulbar circulatory parameters in type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. One eye of 35 diabetic patients with background DR (BDR) were included in the study. Eyes without DR, with proliferative DR, photocoagulation, past surgical procedures, or other ophthalmic disease except BDR and cataract were excluded. The study was masked. Colour Doppler imaging (CDI) was used to measure the retrobulbar circulation at the beginning of the study and after a mean follow up interval of 21 months. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistivity index (RI) in the central retinal artery and vein and the posterior ciliary artery were measured. Results: 18 patients who developed DR progression showed significantly increased central retinal vein PSV ( 5.6 (3.5–9.1) p = 0.003), EDV ( 3.4 (2.3–4.4) p = 0.04), and RI ( 0.43 (0.20–0.56) p = 0.02) at the final measurement compared to the initial measurement (PSV = 4.6 (3.2–7.0); EDV = 3.0 (2.3–3.7); RI = 0.40 (0.17–0.52)). Circulatory parameters in the central retinal artery and the posterior ciliary artery did not alter significantly after progression of DR. 17 patients were without DR progression and they did not show any significant differences in the measured circulatory parameters on entry compared to the final measurement. Conclusion: The authors suggest that the initial changes in the retrobulbar circulation during DR progression occur in the central retinal vein.
In Vitro Activities of 5-Fluorocytosine against 8,803 Clinical Isolates of Candida spp.: Global Assessment of Primary Resistance Using National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards Susceptibility Testing Methods

ABSTRACT We determined the in vitro activity of flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine [5FC]) against 8,803 clinical isolates of Candida spp. (18 species) obtained from more than 200 medical centers worldwide between 1992 and 2001. The MICs were determined by broth microdilution tests performed according to NCCLS guidelines by using RPMI 1640 as the test medium and the following interpretive breakpoints: susceptible (S), ≤4 μg/ml; intermediate (I), 8 to 16 μg/ml; resistant (R), ≥32 μg/ml. 5FC was very active against the 8,803 Candida isolates (MIC90, 1 μg/ml), 95% S. A total of 99 to 100% of C. glabrata (MIC90, 0.12 μg/ml), C. parapsilosis (MIC90, 0.25 μg/ml), C. dubliniensis (MIC90, 0.12 μg/ml), C. guilliermondii (MIC90, 0.5 μg/ml), and C. kefyr (MIC90, 1 μg/ml) were susceptible to 5FC at the NCCLS breakpoint. C. albicans (MIC90, 1 μg/ml; 97% S) and C. tropicalis (MIC90, 1 μg/ml; 92% S) were only slightly less susceptible. In contrast, C. krusei was the least susceptible species: 5% S; MIC90, 32 μg/ml. Primary resistance to 5FC is very uncommon among Candida spp. (95% S, 2% I, and 3% R), with the exception of C. krusei (5% S, 67% I, and 28% R). The in vitro activity of 5FC, combined with previous data demonstrating a prolonged post-antifungal effect (2.5 to 4 h) and concentration-independent activity (optimized at 4× MIC), suggest that 5FC could be used in lower doses to reduce host toxicity while maintaining antifungal efficacy.
Views of public health leaders in English local authorities – changing perspectives following the transfer of responsibilities from the National Health Service to local government

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the findings of a research project that examined the changes to the public health system in England introduced in 2013. Drawing on case study research and two national surveys the findings explore the impact of organisational change on the composition and role of public health teams. Views and experiences were obtained from public health leaders involved in the transfer of staff and functions from the National Health Service in England to local authorities. National surveys at two points in time aimed to compare and contrast views on the evolving changes. The new organisational and managerial arrangements had enabled public health professionals to widen their work and influence, and public health skills and budgets were welcomed by those in local government. Initially, in some areas, directors of public health were less certain of the benefits of the transfer to local government compared to high levels of confidence expressed by elected members, but perspectives changed over time and moved closer together. National headline figures were found to mask high levels of turbulence and churn being experienced by individual authorities identified in the case study research, and the trend of reducing capacity through cuts to staff, budget and services was a cause for serious concern.