Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empathetic Relationships in Adolescents and Their Relevance To Prognosis in Psychiatric Breakdown

MANY authors have shown that adolescent breakdown is often associated with emotional deprivation in childhood. Psychotherapeutic intervention before the personality becomes too fixed and rigid should offer a means of improvement through the creation of substitute empathetic relationships, and prognosis should be improved to the extent to which this is successful. This hypothesis is tested through a follow-up study involving 100 adolescents, and the hypothesis is found proved in the diagnostic category of adolescent persona lity disorder, but of no apparent relevance in other groups.
Diurnal redistribution of human lymphocytes and their temporal associations with salivary cortisol

Immune cell trafficking is crucial for surveillance and effector functions of the immune system. Circadian rhythms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and of cortisol have been implicated in circadian redistribution of circulating lymphocytes and granulocytes. However, information regarding the diurnal redistribution of immune cells and their temporal correlations with cortisol is scarce. In this study, we investigated the diurnal redistribution of T, B, and natural killer (NK) cell subsets in relation to the endogenous cortisol rhythm. Saliva and blood samples were collected every 15 min over an 8-h period. Salivary-free cortisol was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Surface markers (CD3, CD19, CD8, CD56, CD16, KIR) were measured in whole blood samples by 6-color flow cytometry and cell subsets quantified as a percentage of the total lymphocyte population. To study associations between the diurnal cortisol rhythm and the redistribution of T, B, and NK cells, we calculated cross-correlations with lag periods of 15 min. The salivary cortisol levels showed the typical diurnal variations with a significant morning cortisol awakening response (CAR) peaking around 07:30 h followed by an afternoon nadir. Whereas B cells remained stable throughout the 8 h, T cells (CD3 + CD8+ and CD3 + CD8−) showed a significant positive cross-correlation with cortisol levels when a delay of 30–105 min was taken into account. This was followed by a negative correlation covering a period of 165–285 min after the cortisol peak. Conversely, NK cells showed an initial negative correlation at 45–105 min, followed by a positive correlation at 120–285 min. The major CD56 + CD16+ subset and the CD56 − CD16+ population showed similar temporal correlation profiles. The minor CD56 + CD16− NK cell subset showed no temporal changes. The major NK subset (CD56 + CD16+) contains cells with higher cytolytic activity (KIR+) cells, whereas the single-positive subsets CD56 + CD16− and CD56 − CD16+ are mainly involved in cytokine production. Significant positive correlations were observed in KIR+ subsets coincident with this of NK cells covering a period of 105–300 min after the cortisol peak. In conclusion, our results suggest that cortisol and the HPA axis orchestrate tidal waves of immune cells that are alternatively based toward innate and acquired immune surveillance. (Author correspondence: claude.muller@CRP-SANTE.LU)
Asian LNG market changes under low oil prices: prospects for trading hubs and a new price index

Abstract Presented is an analysis of the changes in the North-East Asian energy landscape as a result of the decline in global oil prices. The end of February 2016 saw the first exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. mainland when major shale gas company Cheniere Energy’s first LNG cargo left the Sabine Pass terminal in Texas. There are expectations that the beginning of U.S. LNG exports may trigger flexible trading. To the year 2020, U.S. LNG exports to North-East Asia will be increased. North-East Asia needs to continue its effort to promote regional cooperation and co-prosperity by building a North-East Asian gas trading hub. Russia will seek to keep U.S. LNG in check through price negotiations. The evolution of an Asian gas hub will be to a great extent influenced by how Russia and China will reconsider their energy strategies.
Exploratory study on the economic value of a closed farming system on Dutch dairy farms

A closed farming system may prevent the introduction of infectious diseases on to dairy farms and could be a good starting point for the eradication of these diseases. In order to introduce a closed farming system, farmers need to be made aware of how these diseases are introduced into the herd. Farmers will be more likely to implement a closed farming system when the economic value is quantified and attractive. An exploratory study was carried out to investigate the technical and economic results of closed dairy farms. Farms that purchased cattle and/or shared pasture (dermed as ‘open’ farms) differed in technical results from farms that did not (‘closed’ farms). The results of the discriminant analysis showed that the ‘closed’ farms incurred lower costs for veterinary services, had a lower average age at first calving and a higher birth rate per 100 dairy cows. A linear regression analysis was carried out to investigate the influence of the farming system on economic performance. Being ‘closed’ was found to increase the net profit by £0.31 per 100 kg of milk, or approximately £25 per cow per year or 5 per cent of the typical net return to labour and management (£1 = Dfl 2.80 in November 1996).
How sexism leads to intentions to leave an organization among coaches of women's teams in Division I intercollegiate athletics

How Sexism Leads to Intentions to Leave an Organization among Coaches of Women’s Teams in Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. (August 2007) Thomas Joseph Aicher, B.S., Virginia Tech Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Michael Sagas Since the passage of Title IX, there has been a steady decline of women head coaches in intercollegiate athletics. Previous research indicated that perceived treatment and access discrimination may be a plausible cause of the decline; however, research has not identified the antecedents of discrimination. Research indicates that sexism levels are associated with hiring intentions, ascription of attributes to managers, and performance appraisals. This study attempted to identify sexism as one possible antecedent of discrimination. A dyadic study between head and assistant collegiate coaches was utilized to determine the relationship between hostile and benevolent sexism, treatment and access discrimination, and intentions to leave the profession. I sampled 364 head coaches and 163 assistant coaches, creating 71 dyads. Each of the measures was validated in previous research. Results indicated that men possessed higher levels of hostile (M = 2.02, SD = 1.02) and benevolent (M = 2.33, SD = 1.01) sexists beliefs than females (M = 2.00, SD = .97, M = 1.62, SD = 1.00). Additionally, females coaches indicated significantly higher levels of perceived access discrimination (F [1, 384] = 38.05, p < .01), treatment discrimination (F [1,384] = 7.353, p < .01) and intentions to leave (F [1, 384] = 13.146, p < .01) than men. Results indicate that there is
Retinal Biosynthesis in Fungi: Characterization of the Carotenoid Oxygenase CarX from Fusarium fujikuroi

ABSTRACT The car gene cluster of the ascomycete Fusarium fujikuroi encodes two enzymes responsible for torulene biosynthesis (CarRA and CarB), an opsin-like protein (CarO), and a putative carotenoid cleaving enzyme (CarX). It was presumed that CarX catalyzes the formation of the major carotenoid in F. fujikuroi, neurosporaxanthin, a cleavage product of torulene. However, targeted deletion of carX did not impede neurosporaxanthin biosynthesis. On the contrary, ΔcarX mutants showed a significant increase in the total carotenoid content, indicating an involvement of CarX in the regulation of the pathway. In this work, we investigated the enzymatic activity of CarX. The expression of the enzyme in β-carotene-accumulating Escherichia coli cells led to the formation of the opsin chromophore retinal. The identity of the product was proven by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Subsequent in vitro assays with heterologously expressed and purified CarX confirmed its β-carotene-cleaving activity and revealed its capability to produce retinal also from other substrates, such as γ-carotene, torulene, and β-apo-8′-carotenal. Our data indicate that the occurrence of at least one β-ionone ring in the substrate is required for the cleavage reaction and that the cleavage site is determined by the distance to the β-ionone ring. CarX represents the first retinal-synthesizing enzyme reported in the fungal kingdom so far. It seems likely that the formed retinal is involved in the regulation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway via a negative feedback mechanism.
Long-term effects of non-linear frequency compression for children with moderate hearing loss

Abstract Objective: To evaluate non-linear frequency compression (NLFC) as a means to improve speech recognition for children with moderate to moderately-severe hearing loss following a six-month acclimatization period. Design: Within subject design with repeated measures across test conditions. Study Sample: Fifteen children, ages 5 to 13 years, with moderate to moderately-severe high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss were fitted with Phonak Nios, micro-sized, BTE hearing aids and evaluated after two six-week intervals with and without NLFC and again after a six-month period of consecutive NLFC use. Results: Using repeated measures analyses, the six-month results were compared to data that was collected following six-week trials with and without NLFC hearing aids (36). Improvements seen with NLFC in the initial study (36) were maintained or significantly increased in the present study. When compared to the six-week data, aided non-sense syllable speech recognition thresholds in quiet and speech recognition in noise were significantly better at the six-month interval. Conclusions: These results suggest that NLFC improves audibility for and recognition of high-frequency speech sounds for children with moderate to moderately-severe hearing loss. In many cases, improvements found with NLFC increased with a longer period of acclimatization to the technology. Sumario Objetivo: Evaluar la compresión no lineal de la frecuencia (NLFC) como un medio para mejorar el reconocimiento del lenguaje en niños con pérdidas auditivas moderadas a moderadamente severas, luego de un periodo de seis meses de aclimatación. Diseño: Es un diseño intra-sujeto con mediciones repetidas en todas las condiciones de la prueba Muestra del Estudio: Quince niños, edades de 5 a 13 años, con hipoacusia sensorineural moderada a moderadamente severa en altas frecuencias, fueron adaptados con auxiliares auditivos retroauriculares, de micro-tamaño, Phonak Nios, y evaluado luego de dos intervalos de seis semanas, con o sin NLFC y de nuevo, luego de un periodo de seis meses de uso consecutivo de NLFC. Resultados: Usando análisis de medidas repetidas, los resultados a seis meses se compararon con datos que fueron recogidos luego de periodos de seis semanas, con y sin auxiliares auditivos NLFC (Wolfe y col, en prensa). Las mejorías que se ven con NLFC en el estudio inicial (Wolfe y col, en prensa) se mantuvieron o fueron significativamente aumentadas en el presente estudio. Cuando se compararon con los datos de seis semanas, los umbrales no amplificados de reconocimiento del lenguaje para sílabas sin sentido en silencio y de reconocimiento del lenguaje en ruido, fueron significativamente mejores en el intervalo de seis meses. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que la NLFC mejora la audibilidad y el reconocimiento de sonidos lingüísticos de alta frecuencia para niños con hipoacusias moderadas a moderadamente severas. En muchos casos, la mejoría encontrada con NLFC aumentó con un periodo más largo de aclimatación a la tecnología.
Studies on the relationships between sensitivity to cold, dry air, hyperosmolal solutions, and histamine in the adult nose.

We have previously reported that elevated osmolality of nasal secretions is linked to the rhinitic reaction to cold and dry air (CDA) that results in inflammatory mediator release and that nasal challenge with hyperosmolal solutions can induce histamine release in randomly selected individuals. These findings led to a comparison of the effect of nasal challenge with hypertonic fluid in 11 subjects who demonstrated a nasal response to CDA compared to 10 subjects without CDA sensitivity. All volunteers were challenged with isosmolal (300 mosmol/kg H2O) and hyperosmolal (800 mosmol/kg H2O) mannitol solutions. Their response was evaluated by symptom scores and quantification of histamine in nasal lavages. CDA responders differed significantly from non-responders in terms of both the total amount and the concentration of histamine in the lavage following hyperosmolal challenge (p less than 0.04 and p less than 0.02, respectively). In addition, CDA responders reported a higher change from baseline for nasal congestion, pruritus, and lacrimation following hyperosmolal challenge, but the scores for rhinorrhea, the volume of the returned nasal lavage fluid following hyperosmolal challenge, and the capacity to reduce the osmolality of the administered hyperosmolal fluid did not differ. Allergic status was not a factor in hyperosmolal reactivity. To investigate possible differences in nonspecific nasal mucosal sensitivity that could account for these findings, all subjects underwent provocation with five increasing doses of histamine, from 0.01 to 1 mg. No significant difference between CDA responders and nonresponders in symptomatology or in the induction of vascular permeability, as assessed by TAME-esterase activity in nasal fluids, could be demonstrated. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Discrete roles of intracellular phospholipases A2 in human neutrophil cytotoxicity

BACKGROUND The role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), a component of the three major PLA2 families, in acute/chronic inflammatory processes remains elusive. Previous investigations have documented iPLA2-mediated respiratory burst of neutrophils (PMNs); however, the causative isoform of iPLA2 is unidentified. We also demonstrated that the iPLA2&ggr;-specific inhibitor attenuates trauma/hemorrhagic shock–induced lung injury. Therefore, iPLA2&ggr; may be implicated in acute inflammation. In addition, arachidonic acid (AA), which is primarily produced by cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2), is known to display PMN cytotoxicity, although the relationship between AA and the cytotoxic function is still being debated on. We therefore hypothesized that iPLA2&ggr; regulates PMN cytotoxicity via AA-independent signaling pathways. The study aim was to distinguish the role of intracellular phospholipases A2, iPLA2, and cPLA2, in human PMN cytotoxicity and explore the possibility of the presence of signaling molecule(s) other than AA. METHODS Isolated human PMNs were incubated with the PLA2 inhibitor selective for iPLA2&bgr;, iPLA2&ggr;, or cPLA2 and then activated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Superoxide production was assayed according to the superoxide dismutase–inhibitable cytochrome c reduction method, and the degree of elastase release was measured using a p-nitroanilide–conjugated elastase-specific substrate. In addition, chemotaxis toward platelet activating factor/fMLP was determined with a modified Boyden chamber system. RESULTS The iPLA2&ggr;-specific inhibitor reduced the fMLP/PMA-stimulated superoxide generation by 90% and 30%, respectively; in addition, the inhibitor completely blocked the fMLP/PMA-activated elastase release. However, the cPLA2-specific inhibitor did not abrogate these effects to any degree at all concentrations. Likewise, the inhibitor for iPLA2&ggr;, but not iPLA2&bgr; or cPLA2, completely inhibited the platelet activating factor/fMLP–induced chemotaxis. CONCLUSION iPLA2 is involved in extracellular reactive oxygen species production, elastase release, and chemotaxis in response to well-defined stimuli. In addition, the ineffectiveness of the cPLA2 inhibitor suggests that AA may not be relevant to these cytotoxic functions.
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Induces an Immunosuppressive Phenotype of Dendritic Cells in Tumor Microenvironment by Upregulating B7-H3

Introduction: Tumors may shift the phenotype and function of dendritic cells (DC) toward the induction of tolerance. In the status of full maturity, DC express a multitude of T cell costimulatory molecules enabling them to induce immune reactions, whereas nonactivated resident DC lack these T cell stimulating capacities. Therefore, we investigated the changes in DC phenotype and expression of B7-H molecules induced by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The expression of T cell coinhibitory B7 molecules (B7-DC, B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, B7-H3) on DC isolated from malignant and nonmalignant lung and lymph node tissue from patients attending curative surgery for NSCLC (n = 12) was analyzed. T cell stimulatory functions of DC isolated from malignant and nonmalignant lung and lymph node tissue samples were measured by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions. Furthermore, the secretion of IL-10 and IL-12p40 by DC was analyzed (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: B7-H3 was significantly upregulated in tumor-residing DC, whereas the expression of other B7 molecules, such as B7-DC, B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, remained unchanged. Significantly reduced levels of T cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reactions with tumor-derived DC were recorded. Moreover, elevated concentrations of IL-10 were measured in tumor-derived DC, whereas IL-12 levels were reduced. Conclusion: Our data indicate that (1) DC derived from NSCLC are immunosuppressive, and (2) under tumor conditions the coinhibitory molecule B7-H3 plays a crucial role in mediating the T cell suppressive effects of DC.
Cohort profile: the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) in Korea

Purpose The National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) is a cohort of participants who participated in health screening programmes provided by the NHIS in the Republic of Korea. The NHIS constructed the NHIS-HEALS cohort database in 2015. The purpose of this cohort is to offer relevant and useful data for health researchers, especially in the field of non-communicable diseases and health risk factors, and policy-maker. Participants To construct the NHIS-HEALS database, a sample cohort was first selected from the 2002 and 2003 health screening participants, who were aged between 40 and 79 in 2002 and followed up through 2013. This cohort included 514 866 health screening participants who comprised a random selection of 10% of all health screening participants in 2002 and 2003. Findings to date The age-standardised prevalence of anaemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia and abnormal urine protein were 9.8%, 8.2%, 35.6%, 2.7%, 14.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The age-standardised mortality rate for the first 2 years (through 2004) was 442.0 per 100 000 person-years, while the rate for 10 years (through 2012) was 865.9 per 100 000 person-years. The most common cause of death was malignant neoplasm in both sexes (364.1 per 100 000 person-years for men, 128.3 per 100 000 person-years for women). Future plans This database can be used to study the risk factors of non-communicable diseases and dental health problems, which are important health issues that have not yet been fully investigated. The cohort will be maintained and continuously updated by the NHIS.
Establishment of an orthotopic lung cancer model in nude mice and its evaluation by spiral CT.

OBJECTIVE To establish a simple and highly efficient orthotopic animal model of lung cancer cell line A549 and evaluate the growth pattern of intrathoracic tumors by spiral CT. METHODS A549 cells (5×10(6) mL(-1)) were suspended and inoculated into the right lung of BALB/c nude mice via intrathoracic injection. Nude mice were scanned three times each week by spiral CT after inoculation of lung cancer cell line A549. The survival time and body weight of nude mice as well as tumor invasion and metastasis were examined. Tissue was collected for subsequent histological assay after autopsia of mice. RESULTS The tumor-forming rate of the orthotopic lung cancer model was 90%. The median survival time was 30.7 (range, 20-41) days. The incidence of tumor metastasis was 100%. The mean tumor diameter and the average CT value gradually increased in a time-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS The method of establishing the orthotopic lung cancer model through transplanting A549 cells into the lung of nude mice is simple and highly successful. Spiral CT can be used to evaluate intrathoracic tumor growth in nude mice vividly and dynamically.
Comparison of one-year results of transobturator tape method in the stress incontinence treatment according to body mass index.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the 1-year results of patients on whom we used the transobturator tape method for the stress incontinence treatment according to body mass index (BMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with stress incontinence and treated with the transobturator tape method were divided into three groups according to BMI. We recorded the results of preoperative urodynamic studies; durations of operation, catheterization, and hospitalization; and complications of patients. Patients were evaluated 1 year after the operation with respect to the objective/subjective success rates of the operation, patient satisfaction rates, and possible late complications. RESULTS The obese group was observed to have a significantly higher duration of operation than the normal and overweight groups (p<0.001). The objective and subjective success rates were not significantly different between the groups (p=0.567 and p=0.245, respectively). There was no statistical difference between the groups with respect to the satisfaction rates (p=0.245). There was no significant difference between all three groups with respect to both preoperative and postoperative complication rates (p=0.096). CONCLUSION The transobturator tape method for stress incontinence treatment has similar objective and subjective success rates, independent of BMI. In the obese patients, the operation time is longer than the others, but there is no difference with respect to the complication rates.