Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expansion and aerobiology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The invasive alien species Ambrosia artemisiifolia cause environmental, agronomical and medical problems in many regions of the world, including Slovakia. The purpose of this study was to survey the spread and distribution of this species in Slovakia and to analyse its airborne pollen pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS To evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of Ambrosia invasion in the territory of Slovakia, herbarium specimens, published databases and field investigations were considered. Aerobiological sampling was based on the analysis of pollen records at five aerobiological stations in Slovakia. For Bratislava and Banská Bystrica Monitoring stations, trends in Ambrosia pollen seasons were determined using Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. RESULTS Since the first record of A. artemisiifolia in Slovakia, the number of its colonies and its spread rate has increased considerably, and the colonisation of this species has been successful mainly in the south-western part of the country. Highest airborne pollen counts were recorded in Nitra, Trnava and Bratislava Monitoring Stations situated in the areas most infested by A. artemisiifolia in Slovakia. However, high pollen counts were also noted in Banská Bystrica and Košice Monitoring Stations situated in areas where the source species was less abundant. During the study period, the number of days on which the pollen concentration exceeded the threshold of sensitivity increased significantly (+1.33 days/year) in Banská Bystrica, whereas the peak value decreased significantly (-13.37 pollen/year) in Bratislava. CONCLUSION The number of the populations of A. artemisiifolia has increased considerably in recent years. Besides the most infested areas, high airborne pollen counts were also recorded in territories where the plant species was less abundant. During the study period, the intensity of Ambrosia pollen seasons decreased in Bratislava, probably due to changes in land-use practices, while the increasing trend in the pollen seasons intensity in Banská Bystrica mainly reflects the situation in the ragweed-infested remote areas due to long-range pollen transport.
Ras Pathway Activation in Malignant Mesothelioma

Introduction: Mutations in Ras family genes are rare in malignant mesothelioma. The role of activation of the Ras signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma is not clear. Methods: We studied the activation status of the Ras pathway and the status of other Ras-associated kinases in a panel of human mesothelioma cell lines. In addition, we tested the effect of inhibition of several kinase pathways on mesothelioma cell proliferation. The potential role of kinase signaling on the regulation of cap-dependent translation was also studied. Results: In general, Ras-guanosine triphosphate (GTP) was higher in mesothelioma cell lines when compared with a nontransformed mesothelial cell line (LP9). Furthermore, known Ras effectors such as extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase were found to be active in most of the mesothelioma cell lines tested. Exposure to specific inhibitors of extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (U0126) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SP600125) significantly decreased the proliferation of H2596 and H2373 cells compared with mock-treated cells. SP600125-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibition, but not extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibition, resulted in a decrease in phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, consequently decreasing cap-dependent activation. Conclusions: These experiments provide a rationale for targeting Ras and associated signaling pathways in mesothelioma and also suggest cap-dependent translation as one mechanism by which Ras induces proliferation in this disease.
Confirming the etiology of adolescent acting-out behaviors: an examination of observer-ratings in a sample of adoptive and biological siblings.

BACKGROUND A recent meta-analysis revealed moderate shared environmental influences (C) on most forms of child and adolescent psychopathology (Burt, 2009), including antisocial behavior. Critically, however, the research analyzed in this meta-analysis relied largely on specific informant-reports (and particularly parent and child reports), each of which is subject to various sources of rater bias. Observer-ratings of children's behaviors avoid many of these biases, and are thus well suited to verify the presence of C. Given this, we sought to buttress the evidence supporting C in two key ways. First, we sought to confirm that C contributes to observer-ratings in a sample of adoptive siblings, as similarity between adoptive siblings constitutes a 'direct' estimate of C. Second, we sought to confirm that these shared environmental influences persist across informants (i.e., the effects are not specific to the rater or the context in question). METHODS The current study examined the etiology of observer-ratings of acting-out behaviors, as well as sources of etiological overlap across observer-ratings, adolescent self-report and maternal-report in sample of over 600 biological and adoptive sibling pairs from the Sibling Interaction and Behavior Study (SIBS). RESULTS Results revealed moderate and significant shared environmental influences on observer-ratings (31%), as well as on the other informant-reports (20-23%). Moreover, a portion of these effects overlapped across measures (C correlations ranged from .32 to .34). CONCLUSIONS Such findings argue against passive gene-environment correlations (rGE) and rater bias as primary explanations for earlier findings of C on antisocial behavior, and in this way, offer a critical extension of prior work indicating that the role of shared environmental influences on child and adolescent antisocial behavior was dismissed too soon.
Synthesis and Antimycobacterial, Antifungal, and Photosynthesis-Inhibiting Evaluation of Some Anilides of Substituted Pyrazine-2-carboxylic Acids.

Condensat ion of chlorides of subs t i tu ted pyrazine-2-carboxylic acids with r ing-subst i tu ted anilines yielded a series of anilides of 6-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic, 5-( l , l -d imethyle thyl)pyrazine-2carboxylic or 6-chloro-5-(l , l-dimethylethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acids. P r o d u c t s were tes ted for their ant imycobacterial , antifungal, and photosynthesis-inhibit ing activity. Some of t h e m exhibited significative activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (inhibition > 50 % a t MIC =,.12.5 fig c m 3 ) . T h e most active compound (88 %) was 6-chloro-5-(l , l -dimethylethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid 3-fluoroanilide.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of LMWHs

A variety of pharmaceutical preparations of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are available. They belong to the same family of compounds-ie, heparin derivatives with a narrow distribution of mean molecular weights (MWs). LMWHs have different methods of preparation, which result in variations in mean MW, distribution of MW, and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles. The mean MW of these compounds ranges from 3,600 to 6,500 daltons. The ratio of anti-Xa (aXa) and anti-IIa (aIIa) activities of the different LMWHs ranges from 1.5 to >10. After subcutaneous (SC) injection of a prophylactic or therapeutic dose, the peak values for plasma aXa or aIIa activity may vary twofold to threefold because of differences in bioavailability, plasma clearance (Clplasma), and half-life (t1/2). The injection of equivalent amounts of product, based on aXa and aIIa international units (IU), may result in different areas under the curve for the respective activities. Although tinzaparin has a high aIIa specific activity per milligram (and consequently, a low aXa/aIIa ratio), SC injection of 40 mg of enoxaparin (4,000 aXa IU) results in a higher aXa peak value in patients with total hip replacement than 4,500 aXa IU of tinzaparin. Differences in aIIa and aXa peak activities are more striking when high doses of LMWHs are used. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) can be significantly prolonged, an effect that is related to aIIa and aXa activity. The volume of distribution of LMWHs is of the same order of magnitude as that of the plasma volume. The mean retention time of aXa activity varies from 5.2 (dalteparin) to approximately 7 h (enoxaparin, nadroparin). Bioavailability of prophylactic doses of LMWHs ranges from 86% (dalteparin) to 98% (enoxaparin, nadroparin). PK parameters appear to be minimally affected by a patient's age. The Clplasma is different for each LMWH: 16 mL/min enoxaparin, 21 mL/min nadroparin, 33 mL/min dalteparin, 19 mL/min reviparin, and 22 mL/min tinzaparin. Accumulation of product has been observed for almost all LMWHs in patients with renal insufficiency. LMWHs are effective and safe for treatment or prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy, because they do not cross the placenta. No data are available regarding the passage of LMWHs into the milk in lactating women. Although LMWHs are also effective in prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease in children, optimal use of these agents in pediatric patients has not been determined. In summary, the PD and PK of LMWHs have been well documented and have demonstrated that LMWHs have a more predictable response, a greater bioavailability, and a longer aXa t1/2 than unfractionated heparin. However, their distribution of MW affects their physicochemical and biological properties, as well as PK characteristics. The concept of aXa/aIIa ratio (determined in vitro) does not account for the differing PK of aXa and aIIIa activity in circulating blood.
Antibody to hepatitis C virus in post-transfusion hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), their relation to outcome, and the seroconversion rate in patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected serum specimens. SETTING A referral-based university hospital. PATIENTS Sixty-three consecutive patients who developed non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis after open-heart surgery. All patients had follow-up with serial serum testing and clinical evaluation. The mean (+/- SD) duration of follow-up after hepatitis onset was 81 +/- 33 months (range, 13 to 132 months). Seventeen patients recovered after acute-phase illness, whereas 46 developed chronic disease which, in 30 cases, was confirmed histologically. MAIN RESULTS Of 32 patients tested before transfusion, 1 (3.1%) had anti-HCV. Fifty-nine (93%) patients were anti-HCV positive during acute-phase hepatitis: Patients with "early" seroconversion (less than 15 days after hepatitis onset) did not differ from those with "late" seroconversion (greater than 60 days after onset) in epidemiologic, clinical, and biochemical features. The rate of anti-HCV positivity during acute-phase illness was not significantly different among patients who recovered (76%) compared with those who developed chronic disease (95%). At 6 to 12 months, patients whose disease resolved had lower antibody activity than those with progressive disease. Further, during long-term follow-up (1 to 9 years), 53% of patients whose disease resolved but only 6.9% of patients who had progressive disease became anti-HCV negative. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis C virus is the major cause of post-transfusion hepatitis in Italy. The time to anti-HCV seroconversion varies widely after hepatitis onset and is not significantly associated with acute-phase features or outcome of disease.
Targeting of daunomycin using biotinylated immunoliposomes: Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and in vitro pharmacological effects

Biotinylated immunoliposomes were prepared by a non-covalent (biotin-streptavidin) coupling procedure and conjugated to the OX26 monoclonal antibody directed against the rat transferrin receptor. In vitro, these biotinylated immunoliposomes were used to by-pass P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant RBE4 brain capillary endothelial cells and thereby to achieve 2- to 3-fold higher intracellular accumulation of liposomal daunomycin as compared to free drug. The extent of cellular uptake of liposomal daunomycin was dose- and time-dependent, was inhibited by competition with unbound OX26 and was associated with a pharmacological (i.e. cytotoxic) effect. Cytotoxic effects of liposomal formulations of daunomycin, in contrast to the free drug, were apparent only after prolonged incubation periods being indicative of a slow intracellular unpacking and release of liposomal daunomycin. Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution studies in the rat revealed brain accumulation of daunomycin in OX26-immunoliposomes to higher levels as compared to brain uptake of free daunomycin, or daunomycin incorporated within pegylated liposomes or within unspecific IgG2a isotype control immunoliposomes. Such OX26-mediated effects were not observed in other tissues such as spleen, liver, muscle or kidney.
Assessing the Validity and Reliability of Rowland’s Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) in Patients with Dementia

Article history: Received: 2 July 2012 Accepted: 18 Oct 2012 Available online: 21 Jan 2013 ZJRMS 2014 Sep; 16(9): 72-74 Background: The present study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of universal dementia assessment scale in patients with dementia. Materials and Methods: This study, 78 patients with dementia were diagnosed, in that the study tools were applied and collected and then analyzed using SPSS software over these patients. Results: The validity and reliability of the scale was calculated. Also, the appropriate alpha (78%) of this questionnaire indicates the acceptable reliability among Iranian elderly clinical population. Conclusion: Given its characteristics, the universal scale of dementia analysis can be a useful tool for screening the dementia in the clinical population. Copyright © 2014 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
A New Species of Simulium (Asiosimulium) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Thailand

Abstract Simulium (Asiosimulium) saeungae sp. nov. (Diptera: Simuliidae) is described based on females, males, pupae, and mature larvae collected from Nan Province, Northern Thailand. It is characterized by the medium-long cerci in the female, enlarged hind basitarsus, and broad ventral plate with its posterior margin not deeply concave in the male, arborescent pupal gill with 42–56 filaments in the pupa and smaller number of primary rays of the labral fan (30–33) in the larva. This is the fifth species of the subgenus Asiosimulium, the second smallest among 10 subgenera in the Oriental Region. Taxonomic notes are given to distinguish this new species from the three known species from Thailand and one from Nepal.
Projected cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination of healthy infants and young children.

CONTEXT Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for infants has recently been found effective against meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, and otitis media. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the projected health and economic impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination of healthy US infants and young children. DESIGN Cost-effectiveness analysis based on data from the Northern California Kaiser Permanente randomized trial and other published and unpublished sources. SETTING AND PATIENTS A hypothetical US birth cohort of 3.8 million infants. INTERVENTIONS Hypothetical comparisons of routine vaccination of healthy infants, requiring 4 doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months), and catch-up vaccination of children aged 2 to 4.9 years requiring 1 dose, with children receiving no intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cost per life-year saved and cost per episode of meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, and otitis media prevented. RESULTS Vaccination of healthy infants would prevent more than 12000 cases of meningitis and bacteremia, 53000 cases of pneumonia, 1 million episodes of otitis media, and 116 deaths due to pneumococcal infection. Before accounting for vaccine costs, the vaccination program would save $342 million in medical and $415 million in work-loss and other costs from averted pneumococcal disease. Vaccination of healthy infants would result in net savings for society if the vaccine cost less than $46 per dose, and net savings for the health care payer if the vaccine cost less than $18 per dose. At the manufacturer's list price of $58 per dose, infant vaccination would cost society $80000 per life-year saved or $160 per otitis media episode prevented (other estimated costs would be $3200 per pneumonia case prevented, $15000 for bacteremia, and $280000 for meningitis). The cost-effectiveness of an additional program to administer 1 dose of vaccine to children aged 2 to 4.9 years would vary depending on the children's ages, relative risks of pneumococcal disease, and vaccine cost. CONCLUSIONS Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination of healthy US infants has the potential to be cost-effective. To achieve cost savings, its cost would need to be lower than the manufacturer's list price. In addition to tangible costs, the vaccine should be appraised based on the less tangible value of preventing mortality and morbidity from pneumococcal disease.
How protein reads the stop codon and terminates translation

Translation termination requires two codon‐specific protein‐release factors in prokaryotes and one factor in eukaryotes. The underlying mechanism for stop codon recognition, as well as the biological meaning of the conservation of one or two release factors in the evolutionary kingdoms, are not known. The recent discovery of release factor genes and the molecular mimicry between translational factors and tRNA provide us with clues to the mechanisms of how proteins read the stop codon and terminate translation, shedding some light on the evolutionary aspect of release factors.
Hepatitis B virus reactivation during cytotoxic chemotherapy‐enhanced viral replication precedes overt hepatitis

The diagnosis of HBV reactivation during cytotoxic chemotherapy is based on an abrupt rise in levels of serum HBV DNA in conjunction with a hepatitic picture and in the absence of other causes of hepatitis. However, several cases of “hepatitis” have been noted during chemotherapy in HBsAg‐positive patients, for which no cause could be found and in which HBV DNA levels were negative. One possible explanation is that HBV reactivation may, indeed, have been the cause but that HBV DNA levels became negative by the time ALT levels peaked and the clinical diagnosis of hepatitis was made. During the course of a longitudinal study of HBsAg‐seropositive cancer patients who were monitored during standard chemotherapy, the opportunity was available to test this hypothesis. J. Med. Virol. 65:473–477, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different Patterns of Mast Cells Distinguish Diffuse from Encapsulated Neurofibromas in Patients with Neurofibromatosis 1

Multiple neurofibromas are cardinal features of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). Several different types of NF1-associated neurofibromas occur, each distinct in terms of pathological details, clinical presentation, and natural history. Mast cells are present in most neurofibromas and have been shown to be critical to the origin and progression of neurofibromas in both human NF1 and relevant mouse models. In this investigation, the authors determined whether mast cell involvement is the same for all types of NF1-associated neurofibromas. They examined the density and distribution of mast cells within 49 NF1-associated neurofibromas classified histopathologically as diffuse or encapsulated on the basis of the presence or absence of the perineurium or its constituent cells. They made two observations: (1) Diffuse neurofibromas had significantly higher densities of mast cells than did encapsulated neurofibromas, and (2) mast cells were evenly distributed throughout diffuse neurofibromas but were primarily restricted to the periphery of encapsulated neurofibromas. The differences in mast cell density and distribution differentiate the two basic types of NF1-associated neurofibromas, suggesting that the pathogenesis of diffuse and encapsulated neurofibromas may be significantly different.
The Effect of Fetal Number on the Development of Hypertensive Conditions of Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence and effect of pregnancy-related hypertensive conditions on multiple gestations. METHODS: Women with 1–4 fetuses enrolled in an outpatient perinatal services program at 28 or more weeks of gestation were identified. Those without a prior diagnosis of hypertension at enrollment and who delivered at more than 28 weeks of gestation were included in the analysis. The incidence of all pregnancy-related hypertensive conditions, diagnosis of severe hypertensive conditions (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome; disseminated intravascular coagulation; eclampsia; low platelets; renal failure; and abruption), and interventional delivery related to hypertension were estimated, and compared according to fetal number. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 34,374 singleton, twin, triplet, and quadruplet gestations. The incidence of pregnancy-related hypertensive conditions increased with multifetal gestations as compared with singletons (12.7–19.6% for multifetal gestations compared with 6.5% for singletons, P < .001). The incidence of severe pregnancy-related hypertensive conditions was significantly increased in twin (1.6%) and triplet (3.1%) gestations as compared with singletons (0.5%, P < .001). Quadruplet pregnancies were not significantly higher than triplet gestations for these complications. The need for early delivery related to hypertension was greater with increasing fetal number through triplet gestations. By logistic regression, higher fetal number, nulliparity, and advanced maternal age were each independently associated with the development of pregnancy-related hypertensive conditions. CONCLUSION: Mild and severe pregnancy-related hypertensive disease increases progressively with advancing fetal number from singleton to triplets but is not further increased in quadruplet pregnancies. Multifetal pregnancies should be observed closely for onset of gestational hypertensive disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Mg2+ improves the thermotolerance of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus casei Zhang and Lactobacillus plantarum P‐8

Food‐related carbohydrates and proteins are often used as thermoprotectants for probiotic lactobacilli during industrial production and processing. However, the effect of inorganic salts is rarely reported. Magnesium is the second‐most abundant cation in bacteria, and commonly found in various foods. Mg2+ homeostasis is important in Salmonella and has been reported to play a critical role in their thermotolerance. However, the role of Mg2+ in thermotolerance of other bacteria, in particular probiotic bacteria, still remains a hypothesis. In this study, the effect of Mg2+ on thermotolerance of probiotic lactobacilli was investigated in three well‐documented probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus casei Zhang and Lactobacillus plantarum P‐8, in comparison with Zn2+ and Na+. Concentrations of Mg2+ between 10 and 50 mmol l−1 were found to increase the bacterial survival upon heat challenge. Remarkably, Mg2+ addition at 20 mmol l−1 led to a 100‐fold higher survival of L. rhamnosus GG upon heat challenge. This preliminary study also showed that Mg2+ shortened the heat‐induced extended lag time of bacteria, which indicated the improvement in bacterial recovery from thermal injury.