Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Azathioprine combined with prednisone in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Twenty-seven newly diagnosed patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who were previously untreated for IPF were enrolled in a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to compare the therapeutic effect of combined prednisone/azathioprine (n = 14) with prednisone plus placebo (n = 13). Prednisone was started at 1.5 mg/kg/day (not to exceed 100 mg/day) for the first 2 wk followed by a biweekly taper to a maintenance dose of 20 mg/day. Azathioprine was administered at a daily dose of 3 mg/kg (not to exceed 200 mg/day). The patients tolerated the use of azathioprine well with few associated side effects. Changes in lung function at 1 yr, as measured by resting alveolar-arterial oxygen difference P[A-a]O2, FVC, and single breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCOSB), were all somewhat better in the azathioprine/prednisone group compared with the prednisone alone group, although none of these comparisons were statistically significant. Six of 14 (43%) patients randomized to prednisone plus azathioprine died during the 9-yr follow-up period, compared with 10 of 13 (77%) patients randomized to prednisone plus placebo. A Cox model survival analysis shows a nonsignificant but potentially large survival advantage for azathioprine/prednisone (hazard ratio 0.48, with 95% confidence interval increasing from 0.17 to 1.38). When adjusted for age, the survival advantage of azathioprine/prednisone becomes marginally significant (hazard ratio 0.26, with 95% confidence interval increasing from 0.08 to 0.88; p = 0.02 by large sample approximation, p = 0.05 by randomization test). We conclude that combined prednisone and azathioprine is a safe and possibly effective regimen for the treatment of IPF. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Postnatal Gender-dependent Maturation of Cellular Cysteine Uptake

Background. In view of the functional capacity of glutathione synthesis in premature infants, and because the availability of cysteine is one the rate limiting steps in glutathione synthesis, we hypothesized that the low glutathione levels in premature infants may be due to immaturity of the active cellular uptake of cysteine. Objective. To document in cells from newborn infants the effect of maturity and gender on cysteine uptake and consequently on glutathione levels. Methods. Incorporation of L‐[35S] cysteine was measured in leukocytes from cord blood and from tracheal aspirates (TAC) of newborn infants of varying (gestational as well as postnatal) ages and gender. Cysteine uptake was correlated with glutathione in TAC. Results. The maturity of newborn girls positively influences cysteine uptake, which is responsible for 78% of the variation in their glutathione content. However, in newborn boys, gestational and postnatal ages did not influence the cysteine uptake. Discussion. Cysteine uptake appears to be the limiting step explaining the reported gender-related differences in glutathione as well as the low levels of this central antioxidant found in premature infants. The immature cysteine uptake found in cells from premature infants raises questions about the bioavailability of this conditionally essential amino acid in regimens of parenteral nutrition for human neonates.
Equally Weighted Strategic Allocation and Balanced Funds in Brazil

ABSTRACT This article analyzes equally weighted strategic asset allocation portfolios in Brazil between 2004 and 2016 and shows that their average returns are not always statistically greater than those of balanced funds, with significance changing in sub-periods. Fixed-income portfolios frequently outperform balanced funds, whose active management underperforms their declared benchmark portfolios. Balanced funds underperformed probably because they deviated from their investment policy. Transaction costs and other rebalancing frequencies do not change the conclusions. Robustness tests indicate that this evidence is valid out-of-the-sample. Investors can mimic balanced-fund policy and possibly do better by means of indexing according to this policy.
Wound‐Healing with Mechanically Robust and Biodegradable Hydrogel Fibers Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles

The objective of this study is to provide a novel synthetic approach for the manufacture of wound‐healing materials using covalently cross‐linked alginate fibers loaded with silver nanoparticles. Alginate fibers are prepared by wet‐spinning in a CaCl2 precipitation bath. Using this same approach, calcium cross‐links in alginate fibers are replaced by chemical cross‐links that involve hydroxyl groups for subsequent cross‐linking by glutaraldehyde. The cross‐linked fibers become highly swollen in aqueous solution due to the presence of carboxyl functional groups, and retain their mechanical stability in physiological fluids owing to the stabilized network of covalent bonds. Alginate fibers can then be loaded with silver ions via the ion‐exchange reaction. Silver ions are reduced to yield 11 nm silver nanoparticles incorporated in the polymer gel. This method provides a convenient platform to incorporate silver nanoparticles into alginate fibers in controlled concentrations while retaining the mechanical and swelling properties of the alginate fibers. Our study suggests that the silver nanoparticles loaded fibers may be easily applied in a wound healing paradigm and promote the repair process though the promotion of fibroblast migration to the wound area, reduction of the inflammatory phase, and the increased epidermal thickness in the repaired wound area, thereby improving the overall quality and speed of healing.
ΔNp63 isoforms differentially regulate gene expression in squamous cell carcinoma: identification of Cox‐2 as a novel p63 target

The p53 homologue p63 produces six different isoforms that are important in development of epithelial tissues and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). In SCCHN, the expression of p63 isoforms is highly complex, with over‐expression of ΔNp63 and p63β isoforms in many tumours. To date, little is known about the functions of different ΔNp63 isoforms and elucidating the distinctive properties of ΔNp63 isoforms will help to clarify how they influence tumour biology. By gene expression profiling of SCCHN cells over‐expressing the ΔNp63 isoforms we identified different effects of the three isoforms, with ΔNp63β being more effective at gene induction than ΔNp63α and ΔNp63γ, whereas ΔNp63γ was most effective at repressing gene expression. Thus, tumours expressing even low levels of ΔNp63β or ΔNp63γ may have distinct clinicopathological characteristics important for metastasis and therapeutic response. Induction of cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) was shown by each isoform and data were confirmed by independent quantitative RT–PCR and western blotting. No direct binding of ΔNp63 to the Cox‐2 promoter could be seen, neither could any evidence for Cox‐2 induction as a consequence of activated NF‐κB pathway responses be found. As Cox‐2 is known to inhibit radiotherapy responses in SCCHN patients, data indicate an additional mechanism through which ΔNp63 acts to promote cell survival and influence therapeutic response of SCCHN. MIAME‐compliant data have been deposited in the MIAME Express database (Accession No. E‐MEXP‐1842). Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A chemical approach for identifying O-GlcNAc-modified proteins in cells

The glycosylation of serine and threonine residues with a single GlcNAc moiety is a dynamic posttranslational modification of many nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. We describe a chemical strategy directed toward identifying O-GlcNAc-modified proteins from living cells or proteins modified in vitro. We demonstrate, in vitro, that each enzyme in the hexosamine salvage pathway, and the enzymes that affect this dynamic modification (UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptidtyltransferase and O-GlcNAcase), tolerate analogues of their natural substrates in which the N-acyl side chain has been modified to bear a bio-orthogonal azide moiety. Accordingly, treatment of cells with N-azidoacetylglucosamine results in the metabolic incorporation of the azido sugar into nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. These O-azidoacetylglucosamine-modified proteins can be covalently derivatized with various biochemical probes at the site of protein glycosylation by using the Staudinger ligation. The approach was validated by metabolic labeling of nuclear pore protein p62, which is known to be posttranslationally modified with O-GlcNAc. This strategy will prove useful for both the identification of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins and the elucidation of the specific residues that bear this saccharide.
Strong Civil Society as a Double-Edged Sword

To meet the dire need for housing following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials created lists of potential sites for trailer parks. We analyze approved sites to track which factors were linked with larger (or smaller) numbers of trailers and trailer sites per zip code block. Areas which displayed greater levels of social capital, as evidenced by voluntaristic activities such as voting, were slated for fewer trailers, controlling for race, income, education, flood damage, and other relevant factors. Civil society worked simultaneously to bring citizens together while mobilizing them against the threat of trailer parks in their backyards.
Understanding Manufactured Exporters at the Firm‐Level: New Insights from Using SARS Administrative Data

Existing South African work on firm‐level data has been limited by access to large datasets that track firms over time. This paper overcomes this by analysing a new dataset of the population of manufacturing firms that are matched to their export transactions. South African firm‐level exporting is similar to the stylised facts of firm‐level exporting found internationally. Moreover, heterogeneity that exists within exporting is evident. Not only do exporters differ in terms of the amount exported, but also in terms of the number of products and destinations they export too. These in turn are related to firm‐level characteristics including productivity.
Antibodies against laminaribioside and chitobioside are novel serologic markers in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS New serologic markers of inflammatory bowel disease may be useful for differentiating between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and for disease stratification. We profiled sugar-binding antibodies to identify novel antiglycan antibodies that may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS Serum samples were obtained from patients with diagnosed Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and from control patients. The presence of antiglycan antibodies was evaluated using either a glycan array (GlycoChip; Glycominds, Ltd, Lod, Israel) in patients with Crohn's disease (n = 72) or ulcerative colitis (n = 56) and in healthy controls (n = 41) or using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with Crohn's disease (n = 124), ulcerative colitis (n = 106), and in control patients (n = 101). RESULTS Inaddition to antibodies against mannan, antibodies to laminaribioside (Glc[beta1,3]Glc[beta]) and chitobioside (GlcNAc[beta1,4]GlcNAc[beta]) had the highest discriminative capability between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Importantly, 44% (12/27) of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody-negative Crohn's disease patients were positive for antilaminaribioside or antichitobioside. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease positive for antibodies against either laminaribioside, chitobioside, or mannan, the diagnosis of Crohn's disease was suggested with a sensitivity of 77.4% and specificity of 90.6%. Having at least 2 of these antibodies increased the specificity to 99.1%. In Crohn's disease, higher levels of antibodies against laminaribioside or mannan were significantly associated with small intestinal disease (P = .03 and P < .0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Antilaminaribioside and antichitobioside carbohydrate antibodies are novel serologic markers associated with Crohn's disease. These antibodies may contribute to the diagnosis and improved stratification of Crohn's disease.
Sonoelastography of the plantar fascia.

PURPOSE To compare the stiffness of the plantar fascia by using sonoelastography in healthy subjects of different ages, as well as patients with plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the hospital, and all of the subjects gave their informed consent. Bilateral feet of 40 healthy subjects and 13 subjects with plantar fasciitis (fasciitis group) were examined by using color-coded sonoelastography. Healthy subjects were divided into younger (18-50 years) and older (> 50 years) groups. The color scheme was red (hard), green (medium stiffness), and blue (soft). The color histogram was subsequently analyzed. Each pixel of the image was separated into red, green, and blue components (color intensity range, 0-255). The color histogram then computed the mean intensity of each color component of the pixels within a standardized area. Mixed model for repeated measurements was used for comparison of the plantar fascia thickness and the intensity of the color components on sonoelastogram. RESULTS Quantitative analysis of the color histogram revealed a significantly greater intensity of blue in older healthy subjects than in younger (94.5 ± 5.6 [± standard deviation] vs 90.0 ± 4.6, P = .002) subjects. The intensity of red and green was the same between younger and older healthy subjects (P = .68 and 0.12). The intensity of red was significantly greater in older healthy subjects than in the fasciitis group (147.8 ± 10.3 vs 133.7 ± 13.4, P < .001). The intensity of green and blue was the same between older healthy subjects and those in the fasciitis group (P = .33 and .71). CONCLUSION Sonoelastography revealed that the plantar fascia softens with age and in subjects with plantar fasciitis.
Quality of contraceptive services in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the quality of contraceptive services in Finland varies by the type of care provider. DESIGN: A cross sectional questionnaire survey. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 3000 Finnish women aged 18-44 years (response rate 74%) in 1994. RESULTS: Almost all women (94%) had used contraception at some time and 75% were current users. Although self care was common (29% had obtained their latest method outside the health services), 83% had sometimes used the health services for contraception. For their last visit, 55% of women had chosen a health centre (a publicly administered and funded health service), and 33% a private unit. In the health centre, the care provider was usually a general practitioner or a public health nurse, whereas in private care the providers were gynaecologists. Women who used private care were more likely to be from higher social classes and urban areas. After adjustment for a women's background, the two groups were similar for most indicators of the quality of care, but access to care and woman's experiences of treatment were better with private care. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of availability and choices the current system of contraceptive services in Finland is adequate. It is not always an integral part of municipal primary health care, and many women prefer private care for gynaecological services; this may case problems of comprehensiveness and equality of care.
Comparison of smoked marijuana and oral Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans.

RATIONALE Although smoked marijuana contains at least 60 cannabinoids, delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta(9)-THC) is presumed to be the cannabinoid primarily responsible for many marijuana-related effects, including increased food intake and subjective effects. Yet, there has been no systematic comparison of repeated doses of oral delta(9)-THC with repeated doses of smoked marijuana in the same individuals. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of oral delta(9)-THC and smoked marijuana in humans under controlled laboratory conditions. METHODS Eleven healthy research volunteers, who reported smoking an average of six marijuana cigarettes per day, completed an 18-day residential study. Marijuana cigarettes (3.1% delta(9)-THC, q.i. d. ) were smoked or delta(9)-THC (20 mg, q.i.d.) was taken orally using a staggered, double-blind, double-dummy procedure for three consecutive days. Four days of placebo administration separated each active drug condition. Psychomotor task performance, subjective effects, and food intake were measured throughout the day. RESULTS Relative to placebo baseline, oral delta(9)-THC and smoked marijuana produced similar subjective-effect ratings (e.g., "high" and "mellow"), although some effects of smoked marijuana were more pronounced and less prone to the development of tolerance. Additionally, participants reported "negative" subjective effects (e.g., "irritable" and "miserable") during the days after smoking marijuana but not after oral delta(9)-THC. Both drugs increased food intake for 3 days of drug administration, but had little effect on psychomotor performance. CONCLUSION These results indicate that the behavioral profile of effects of smoked marijuana (3.1% delta(9)-THC) is similar to the effects of oral delta(9)-THC (20 mg), with some subtle differences.
A RANDOMIZED AND PROSPECTIVE STUDY COMPARING TREATMENT WITH HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN WITH MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR RESCUE OF KIDNEY GRAFTS WITH STEROID-RESISTANT REJECTION

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) versus monoclonal anti-CD3 as a treatment for steroid-resistant rejections. From January 1995 to June 1997, 30 patients were analyzed. They were randomized into two groups. Resistant rejections were diagnosed by core biopsy. Group A received 500 mg/kg/day IVIg (Sandoglobulin) for 7 consecutive days, whereas group B received 5 mg/day of OKT3 for 14 consecutive days. Daily T cell CD3+ peripheral count was performed for 14 days for group B. The immunosuppression was similar for both groups. Cyclosporine was stopped during both treatments. Methods. Demographic factors, HLA mismatch, creatinine levels before and after treatment, and the incidence of rejections after treatment (up to 1 month) were taken into account for this study. Results. Data from different samples were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Graft and patient survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The were no significant differences found in age, graft origin, HLA mismatch, or time of follow-up until the episode of rejection. Success was achieved for 11 (73.3%) of 15 of group A and 13 (86.6%) of 15 of group B (P =0.79). Creatinine levels before and after treatment were as follows: A, 2.99±1.30 mg/dl and 2.1±0.70 mg/dl versus B, 3.1±1.1 mg/dl and 2.5±0.8 mg/dl. Besides, we did not observe differences in the creatinine 1 month after treatment (A: 2.35±0.78 mg/dl; B: 2.51±1.10 mg/dl;P =0.66) nor in the third month (A: 1.83±0.58 mg/dl; B: 2.30±0.89 mg/dl;P =0.24). The incidence of rejections after treatment was 5 (46%) of 11 for group A and 9 (75%) of 12 for group B (P =0.4). The patient survival rates 2 years after treatment were 87 and 92% for A and B groups, respectively. Graft survival was identical (80% in both groups). Conclusion. Should the favorable result presented in this report be confirmed in larger number of patients, IVIg could become the preferable choice of rejection treatment for steroid-resistant rejection because of a complete absence of the unwanted side effects commonly associated with OKT3.
Cerebrospinal fluid and blood flow patterns in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Increased aqueduct cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow pulsatility and, recently, a reversed CSF flow in the aqueduct have been suggested as hallmarks of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). However, these findings have not been adequately confirmed. Our objective was to investigate the flow of blood and CSF in INPH, as compared to healthy elderly, in order to clarify which flow parameters are related to the INPH pathophysiology.
Impact of Urban Surface Characteristics and Socio-Economic Variables on the Spatial Variation of Land Surface Temperature in Lagos City, Nigeria

The urban heat island (UHI) and its consequences have become a key research focus of various disciplines because of its negative externalities on urban ecology and the total livability of cities. Identifying spatial variation of the land surface temperature (LST) provides a clear picture to understand the UHI phenomenon, and it will help to introduce appropriate mitigation technique to address the advanced impact of UHI. Hence, the aim of the research is to examine the spatial variation of LST concerning the UHI phenomenon in rapidly urbanizing Lagos City. Four variables were examined to identify the impact of urban surface characteristics and socio-economic activities on LST. The gradient analysis was employed to assess the distribution outline of LST from the city center point to rural areas over the vegetation and built-up areas. Partial least square (PLS) regression analysis was used to assess the correlation and statistically significance of the variables. Landsat data captured in 2002 and 2013 were used as primary data sources and other gridded data, such as PD and FFCOE, were employed. The results of the analyses show that the distribution pattern of the LST in 2002 and 2013 has changed over the study period as results of changing urban surface characteristics (USC) and the influence of socio-economic activities. LST has a strong positive relationship with NDBI and a strong negative relationship with NDVI. The rapid development of Lagos City has been directly affected by conversion more green areas to build up areas over the time, and it has resulted in formulating more surface urban heat island (SUHI). Further, the increasing population and their socio-economic activities including industrialization and infrastructure development have also caused a significant impact on LST changes. We recommend that the results of this research be used as a proxy tool to introduce appropriate landscape and town planning in a sustainable viewpoint to make healthier and livable urban environments in Lagos City, Nigeria
Avipoxvirus in blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla)

From July to September 2005, 1075 wild birds of 37 species were mist-netted at a location in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic. The birds were examined for the presence of avipoxvirus lesions. This was demonstrated by electron microscopy in skin lesions in nine of 244 blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) examined (4% prevalence). Blackcaps skin bioptates were processed using the ultrathin section method. In skin bioptates, avipoxviruses were demonstrated in intracytoplasmic inclusions where, in addition to mature viruses, lipids and filamentous structures concentrated into large circular formations were found. The so-called additional inclusions were also found. These did not contain any virus components, and they served as the precursor of A-type intracytoplasmic inclusions. Blackcap avipoxvirus was isolated by passage on the chorioallantoic membrane of 9-day-old chicken embryos. The virus was successfully adapted after 11 passages (each passage lasted 5 to 7 days), at which time a marked changes in the form of tiny nodules 2 to 3 mm in diameter were observed on the chorioallantoic membrane. Further identification of field isolates and of the cultured virus was carried out using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Sequences were compared with consensus sequences of both canarypoxviruses and fowlpoxviruses. Our sequence was found to be 98.8% identical to the canarypox consensus sequence, but only 63% identical to the fowlpox consensus sequence. Our avipoxvirus sequence was proven to be significantly more closely related to canarypoxviruses than to fowlpoxviruses also by phylogenetic analysis.