Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Triggers and Patterns of Relapse in Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome: A Retrospective, Descriptive Study in a Tertiary Hospital, South- East Nigeria

Background: Globally, acute respiratory infection (ARI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) are the predominant infectious triggers of relapse in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. In the West African sub-region, most studies on the syndrome have focused essentially on the clinical features, steroid sensitivity and histology patterns. Aim: The present study aims to determine the triggers and patterns of relapse in Nigerian pediatric patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the case notes of 30 patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome was conducted using a structured proforma. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Variables were expressed in frequencies and proportions (percentages). Chi-square test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for non-parametric analysis were applied as appropriate, and p value of less than 0.05 was adopted as the level of statistical significance. Results: The most common identified trigger of relapse was UTI, which was recorded in 12/30 (40.0%) of the patients. ARI and malaria infection ranked second on the list of trigger factors: each documented in 7/30 (23.3%) of the patients. Non-compliance to drugs was noted in 1/30 (3.3%) while no trigger factor was identified in 3/30 (10.1%) of the patients. On the whole, infrequent relapses were seen in 16/30 (53.4%) of the patients, frequent relapses in 10/30 (33.3%), while 4/30 (13.3%) had no recorded relapses. The patterns were not significantly influenced by the patients' age (p=0.479), and socio- economic class (p=0.918), and the type of initial treatment regimen (p=0.829). Conclusions: Frequent relapses still remain a challenge in the management of nephrotic syndrome. Infectious triggers constitute a major cause of relapse; and malaria may be an unrecognized trigger in the tropics. Relapse-specific interventions may have to be expanded to include malaria chemoprophylaxis such as intermittent preventive therapy, particularly for nephrotic patients in the tropics where malaria appears endemic.
ELECTORAL AND PARTISAN CYCLES IN ECONOMIC POLICIES AND OUTCOMES

▪ Abstract Policy makers in democracies have strong partisan and electoral incentives regarding the amount, nature, and timing of economic-policy activity. Given these incentives, many observers expected government control of effective economic policies to induce clear economic-outcome cycles that track the electoral calendar in timing and incumbent partisanship in character. Empirics, however, typically revealed stronger evidence of partisan than of electoral shifts in real economic performance and stronger and more persistent electoral and partisan shifts in certain fiscal, monetary, and other policies than in real outcomes. Later political-economic general-equilibrium approaches incorporated rational expectations into citizens' and policy makers' economic and political behavior to explain much of this empirical pattern, yet critical anomalies and insufficiencies remain. Moreover, until recently, both rational- and adaptive-expectations electoral-and-partisan-cycle work underemphasized crucial variation.
Single‐cell based high‐throughput sequencing of full‐length immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes

Single‐cell PCR and sequencing of full‐length Ig heavy (Igh) and Igk and Igl light chain genes is a powerful tool to measure the diversity of antibody repertoires and allows the functional assessment of B‐cell responses through direct Ig gene cloning and the generation of recombinant mAbs. However, the current methodology is not high‐throughput compatible. Here we developed a two‐dimensional bar‐coded primer matrix to combine Igh and Igk/Igl chain gene single‐cell PCR with next‐generation sequencing for the parallel analysis of the antibody repertoire of over 46 000 individual B cells. Our approach provides full‐length Igh and corresponding Igk/Igl chain gene‐sequence information and permits the accurate correction of sequencing errors by consensus building. The use of indexed cell sorting for the isolation of single B cells enables the integration of flow cytometry and Ig gene sequence information. The strategy is fully compatible with established protocols for direct antibody gene cloning and expression and therefore advances over previously described high‐throughput approaches to assess antibody repertoires at the single‐cell level.
Role of immunosuppression and tumor differentiation in predicting recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study of 412 patients.

AIM To assess pre-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) factors that could be evaluated pre-operatively or controlled post-operatively associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and disease-free survival after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS Four hundred and twelve patients transplanted for HCC between 1988 and 1998 in 14 French centers, who survived the postoperative period were studied. Kaplan Meier estimates were calculated for 24 variables potentially associated with recurrence of HCC. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of recurrence. RESULTS Overall 5-year disease-free survival was 57.1%. By univariate analysis, variables associated with disease-free survival were: presence of cirrhosis (P = 0.001), etiology of liver disease (P = 0.03), alpha fetoprotein level (< 200, 200 to 2000, or > 2000; P < 0.0001), gamma-GT activity (N, N to 2N or > 2N; P = 0.02), the number of nodules (1, 2-3 or > or = 4; P = 0.02), maximal diameter of the largest nodule (< 3 cm, 3 to 5 cm or > 5 cm; P < 0.0001), the sum of the diameter of the nodules (< 3 cm, 3 to 5 cm, 5 to 10 cm or > 10 cm; P < 0.0001), bi-lobar location (P = 0.01), preoperative portal thrombosis (P < 0.0001), peri-operative treatment of the tumor (P = 0.002) and chemoembolization (P = 0.03), tumor differentiation (P = 0.01), initial type of calcineurin inhibitor (P = 0.003), the use of antilymphocyte antibodies (P = 0.02), rejection episodes (P = 0.003) and period of LT (P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, 6 variables were independently associated with HCC recurrence: maximal diameter of the largest nodule (P < 0.0001), time of LT (P < 0.0001), tumor differentiation (P < 0.0001), use of anti-lymphocyte antibody (ATG) or anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3) (P = 0.005), preoperative portal thrombosis (P = 0.06) and the number of nodules (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION This study identifies immunosuppression, through the use of ATG or OKT3, as a predictive factor of tumor recurrence, and confirms the prognostic value of tumor differentiation.
Historical Cohort Study of U.S. Man-Made Vitreous Fiber Production Workers IX: Summary of 1992 Mortality Follow Up and Analysis of Respiratory System Cancer Among Female Workers

We report the 1946–1992 mortality experience of 4008 females employed in any of 10 U.S. fiberglass manufacturing plants between 1945 and 1978 relative to external population rates. We also examine respiratory system cancer (RSC) mortality as a function of estimated exposure to respirable fibers (RFib), formaldehyde (FOR), silica, phenolics, urea, and other agents based on internal cohort comparisons. No statistically significantly elevated standardized mortality ratios were observed for all-cause mortality (930 deaths), any of the 25 nonmalignant causes considered, all malignant neoplasms (266 deaths), or any of the 27 malignant causes considered. Internal cohort comparisons revealed no significant positive associations between RSC mortality (53 cases) and exposure to RFib, FOR, or any of the other agents considered, although exposure levels were generally low. Some demographic subgroups appear to be at relatively increased risk of RSC.
Agonist-dependent Desensitization of the κ Opioid Receptor by G Protein Receptor Kinase and β-Arrestin*

We used the Xenopus oocyte expression system to examine the regulation of rat κ opioid receptor (rKOR) function by G protein receptor kinases (GRKs). κ agonists increased the conductance of G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channels in oocytes co-expressing KOR with Kir3.1 and Kir3.4. In the absence of added GRK and β-arrestin 2, desensitization of the κ agonist-induced potassium current was modest. Co-expression of either GRK3 or GRK5 along with β-arrestin 2 significantly increased the rate of desensitization, whereas addition of either β-arrestin 2, GRK3, or GRK5 alone had no effect on the KOR desensitization rate. The desensitization was homologous as co-expressed δ opioid receptor-evoked responses were not affected by KOR desensitization. The rate of GRK3/β-arrestin 2-dependent desensitization was reduced by truncation of the C-terminal 26 amino acids, KOR(Q355Δ). In contrast, substitution of Ala for Ser within the third intracellular loop [KOR(S255A,S260A,S262A)] did not reduce the desensitization rate. Within the C-terminal region, KOR(S369A) substitution significantly attenuated desensitization, whereas the KOR(T363A) and KOR(S356A,T357A) point mutations did not. These results suggest that co-expression of GRK3 or GRK5 and β-arrestin 2 produced homologous, agonist-induced desensitization of the κ opioid receptor by a mechanism requiring the phosphorylation of the serine 369 of rKOR.
Fetal cardiac axis in non-anomalous pregnancies: does fetal gender or maternal body mass index (BMI) matter?

Abstract Objectives: To determine if cardiac axis obtained at an early ultrasound study (11–15 weeks) differs from that obtained at a late ultrasound study (18–22 weeks) in the same fetus and to evaluate the impact of fetal gender and/or maternal body mass index (BMI). Methods: Cardiac axes of 324 non-anomalous fetuses at 11–15 weeks gestation were measured, with follow-up measurements obtained at 18–22 weeks. Comparisons were performed based on gestational age period, fetal gender and obese/non-obese maternal status. Results: (1) Mean fetal cardiac axis did not change between 11 and 15 weeks; p = 0.8, (2) mean fetal cardiac axis was more levorotated at 11–15 weeks than measurements obtained at 18–22 weeks; 48.1 ± 7.1° versus 43.7 ± 8.9°; p < 0.0001, (3) male fetuses had less levorotated cardiac axis than female fetuses in late ultrasound studies but there was no difference between them at early ultrasound studies; 18–22 weeks male fetus, 42.7 ± 9.3° versus female fetus, 45.2 ± 8.3°; p = 0.02 and 11–15 weeks male fetus, 48.1 ± 7.0° versus female fetus, 48.4 ± 7.4°, p = 0.7, respectively, and (4) similar trends with the overall study population were observed in the comparison between fetuses of obese and non-obese women. Conclusion: Fetal cardiac axis remains stable at 11–15 weeks, becoming less levorotated at 18–22 weeks. This may be attributed to increments in fetal lung volume. The differences in cardiac axis measurements between male and female fetuses examined at 18–22 weeks may also be attributable to differences in increment of fetal lung volume during this gestational age period.
Heterozygous clones in Streptomyces coelicolor.

SUMMARY: Certain of the colonies that arise when spores from a mixed culture of two complementary auxotrophic strains of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) are plated on a selective medium give rise to a mixture of spores with parental and recombinant genotypes. These heterogeneous colonies (heteroclones) probably develop from spores containing heterozygous nuclei which segregate during the development of the colonies. The heterozygous nuclei probably undergo a number of equational divisions before segregating. The markers in two linkage groups segregate independently. Large imbalances in the allele ratios and in the frequencies of complementary genotypes have been attributed to terminal chromosome deletions which affect both chromosome pairs. Absence (or homozygosity of the markers) of one whole chromosome is observed very often in heteroclones selected on media which make one chromosome dispensable. The heteroclones provide an efficient system for studying the genetics of the organism without recourse to selective methods.
Acculturation Identity and Educational Attainment

This paper explores the identity formation of a cohort of students with immigrant backgrounds in Sweden and the consequences of identity for subsequent educational attainment. Unique for this study is that identity is defined according to a two-dimensional acculturation framework based on both strength of identity to the (ethnic) minority and to the (Swedish) majority culture. Results indicate that integrated men are associated with significantly higher levels of education than assimilated men. No differences in educational attainment are found between the assimilated and the integrated for women. These results put into question the premise of oppositional identities, i.e., a trade-off between ethnic identity and educational achievement, among immigrants in Sweden.
Studies on the actin activation of myosin subfragment-1 isoezymes and the role of myosin light chains.

The actin-activated ATPase activity of myosin subfragment 1 (S-1) isoenzymes, separated on the basis of their alkali light chain (A1 and A2) content, has been analysed under a number of different conditions. Previous experiments on the effects of increasing actin concentrations on the ATPase have shown that the maximum turnover rate of ATP by S-1 (A2) was about twice that of S-1 (A1), and the Km for actin was also considerably larger for this isoenzyme. Here we show that these kinetic differences are maintained when regulated actin (actin + tropomyosin + troponin) is used in place of purified F-actin. However, while increasing the ionic strength of the solution from 6 mM to 46 mM KCl has little effect on V for S-1 (A2), the corresponding value for S-1 (A1) increases to approximately equal that of S-1 (A2), suggesting that the two isoenzymes are controlled by the same rate-limiting process in the steady state under these conditions. The value of Km also increases with increasing ionic strength for the two isoenzymes, but that for S-1 (A1) increases more rapidly and approaches that for S-1 (A2). These experiments were carried out at at fixed S-1 concentration, but the maximum rate of actin activation of the S-1 ATPase can also be obtained from experiments where the actin concentration is fixed and the S-1 concentration varied. Under these conditions in 6 mM KCl, the maximum rate of ATP hydrolysis expressed per mole of actin at infinite S-1 concentration is the same for both S-1 (A1) and S-1 (A2), and this value numerically equals the maximum rate of hydrolysis of ATP by S-1 (A2) expressed at infinite actin concentration. These results suggest that the rate-limiting step in the ATPase cycle for S-1 (A2) is the release of products from an actin · S-1 · ADP · Pi complex, while for S-1 (A1), where the value of V at infinite actin concentration is considerably lower, a different process is rate limiting, and this process may occur before actin reassociation with the S-1 · ADP · pi complex, using the Lymn-Taylor kinetic model. Thus increasing the ionic strength appears to change the rate-limiting process in the steady-state hydrolysis of ATP by actoS-1 (A1). These experiments are discussed in terms of the role of the alkali light chains in the myosin ATPase and muscle contraction.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION IN MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

The natural history and ecology of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) have been studied extensively (Ackery and Vane-Wright, 1984). The nearly cosmopolitan monarch is best known for the massive migration undertaken each autumn by North American populations. This event culminates with the butterflies' aggregation into huge overwintering colonies in the Transvolcanic Range of central Mexico and along the coast of California. The monarch is the only temperate representative of an otherwise exclusively tropical subfamily of the Nymphalidae, and although it shares the danaine susceptibility to freezing temperatures in all life stages (Calvert et al., 1983; Anderson and Brower, 1988; Masters et al., 1988), it has been able to exploit the extensive food plant resources of temperate North America through the evolution of this migratory behavior. The selective advantage of seasonal range expansion to utilize large populations of temperate milkweeds (Asclepias species) is regarded as the primary driving force of this unique strategy (Brower, 1977; Young, 1982). The range of the monarch in North America is divided by the Rocky Mountains into eastern and western populations, which retreat to separate refugia each autumn. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to Mexico, while those west of the Rockies migrate to the Pacific coast (Brower, 1985). Marked eastern butterflies released in Idaho were recovered in California, demonstrating environmental, rather than genetic, control over the migratory behavior (Urquhart, 1987). Current gene flow between eastern and western populations has been assumed from the apparent lack of wing-length differentiation and purported range contact in the northeastern Rocky Mountains (Urquhart and Urquhart, 1977; Urquhart, 1987). However, data demonstrating such gene flow have not been published, and the paucity of records of substantial monarch populations in the Great Basin or the northern Rockies suggests that mixing between the eastern and western migratory populations occurs rarely if at all. Whether or not, and to what degree genetic differentiation may have accumulated between these populations, is particularly relevant to understanding the evolution of the migratory phenomenon, and the mon-
Species’ traits as predictors of range shifts under contemporary climate change: A review and meta‐analysis

A growing body of literature seeks to explain variation in range shifts using species’ ecological and life‐history traits, with expectations that shifts should be greater in species with greater dispersal ability, reproductive potential, and ecological generalization. Despite strong theoretical support for species’ traits as predictors of range shifts, empirical evidence from contemporary range shift studies remains limited in extent and consensus. We conducted the first comprehensive review of species’ traits as predictors of range shifts, collecting results from 51 studies across multiple taxa encompassing over 11,000 species’ responses for 54 assemblages of taxonomically related species occurring together in space. We used studies of assemblages that directly compared geographic distributions sampled in the 20th century prior to climate change with resurveys of distributions after contemporary climate change and then tested whether species traits accounted for heterogeneity in range shifts. We performed a formal meta‐analysis on study‐level effects of body size, fecundity, diet breadth, habitat breadth, and historic range limit as predictors of range shifts for a subset of 21 studies of 26 assemblages with sufficient data. Range shifts were consistent with predictions based on habitat breadth and historic range limit. However, body size, fecundity, and diet breadth showed no significant effect on range shifts across studies, and multiple studies reported significant relationships that contradicted predictions. Current understanding of species’ traits as predictors of range shifts is limited, and standardized study is needed for traits to be valid indicators of vulnerability in assessments of climate change impacts.
Dangerous weapons: a cautionary tale of CRISPR defence

The Cas/CRISPR system of prokaryotes is a recently recognized defence system that protects cells from invasion by foreign nucleic acids, such as plasmids or bacteriophages. Using the archaeon Sulfolobus, Gudbergsdottir et al. have demonstrated that when foreign DNA is both a target of the CRISPR system and also carries a gene that is essential for cell growth, surviving cells display mutations in the CRISPR system that eliminate the target directed spacer. This simulates natural scenarios where the invading DNA cannot be readily destroyed, such as a temperate bacteriophage that manages to evade CRISPR attack and integrate into the genome, so becoming ‘self’. CRISPR deletions ranged from precise removal of a single spacer up to elimination of an entire CRISPR array but the mechanism involved is not understood. Another surprising feature was that from one to two base mutations in the same target protospacer did not affect recognition by the Sulfolobus CRISPR system, something unexpected from studies in bacteria where spacer and target protospacer must match exactly. This study shows that even though the CRISPR system is a powerful weapon it can also be a dangerous one for the cell that carries it.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs ) in Norwegian and Russian Arctic marine sediments : concentrations , geographical distribution and sources

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are key contaminants of concern under the Arctic Environmental Monitoring Programme (AMAP) due to their carcinogenic potential. The concentration of PAHs may be connected to the geochemical background of the sediments, including leakage and erosion of fossil carbon, as well as epigenetic processes such as decaying peat. The distribution of organic carbon in sediments of the region is defined by variations of biological productivity as well as the amount and composition of suspended terrigenous matter. Background parameters of organic matter in bottom sediments including contents and composition of bitumoids, humic acids and hydrocarbons vary according to organic carbon distribution. Spatial distribution of PAHs, as part of hydrocarbons, also depends on the genesis of sedimentary material. Alongside natural factors causing PAHs distribution, there is also a human influence represented by petroleum spills, combustion of fossil fuel or other human activities.
The Effect of Phytase and Organic Acid on Growth Performance, Carcass Yield and Tibia Ash in Quails Fed Diets with Low Levels of Non-phytate Phosphorus

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of phytase, organic acids and their interaction on body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield and tibia ash. A total of 680 three-day old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were assigned to 20 battery brooders, 34 chicks in each. The experimental period lasted 35 days. The treatment groups employed were: 1) a positive control which included 3.5 g available phosphorus (AP)/kg diet and 10 g Ca/kg diet; 2) a negative control which included 2 g AP/kg diet and 8 g Ca/kg diet, 3) negative control diet supplemented with either 300 FTU phytase/kg diet (phytase) or 4) 2.5 g organic acid (lactic acid+formic acid)/kg diet (organic acid); or 5) 300 FTU phytase/kg diet+2.5 g organic acid/kg diet (phytase+organic acid). All birds were fed with the positive control diet for a week and then transferred to the dietary treatments. At the end of the study, there were no differences (p>0.005) among the groups in body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield. Tibia ash, however, was reduced (p<0.001) for quails fed the negative control diet containing a low- level of AP compared to the positive control diet containing adequate AP. The addition of phytase, organic acid or phytase+organic acid to the diets containing the low-level of AP improved (p<0.001) tibia ash. On the other hand, an extra synergistic effect of phytase and organic acid on tibia ash was not determined. This study demonstrated that it may be possible to reduce supplemental level of inorganic P with phytase and/or organic acid supplementation for quail diets without adverse effect on performance and tibia ash. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 2 : 198-202)