Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antarctic silverfish: life strategies of a key species in the high-Antarctic ecosystem

Among the endemic notothenioid fish of Antarctica, the Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) is the only species in which all developmental stages live throughout the water column. It is widely distributed in the shelf waters around the continent, inhabiting both open waters and areas of pack ice at depths from 0 to 900 m. In successfully occupying this habitat, it evolved a suite of specific biological, ecological and physiological adaptations to the environmental conditions in the cold and highly seasonal Antarctic waters. Specialization for the pelagic environment evolved over millions of years enabled life under unusual environmental constraints and colonization of the pelagic realm of the Antarctic continental shelf. A sudden change of environmental conditions driven by the current rapid climate change could negatively affect this weak equilibrium, with a catastrophic cascade effecting higher trophic levels. Indeed, as both adults and early life stages of the Antarctic silverfish appear to be strongly dependent on sea-ice, this species would be especially sensitive to climatic or oceanic changes that reduce the extent of sea-ice cover or the timing of formation of coastal polynyas.
HARKing: Hypothesizing After the Results are Known

This article considers a practice in scientific communication termed HARKing (Hypothesizing After the Results are Known). HARKing is defined as presenting a post hoc hypothesis (i.e., one based on or informed by one's results) in one's research report as if it were, in fact, an a priori hypotheses. Several forms of HARKing are identified and survey data are presented that suggests that at least some forms of HARKing are widely practiced and widely seen as inappropriate. I identify several reasons why scientists might HARK. Then I discuss several reasons why scientists ought not to HARK. It is conceded that the question of whether HARKing's costs exceed its benefits is a complex one that ought to be addressed through research, open discussion, and debate. To help stimulate such discussion (and for those such as myself who suspect that HARKing's costs do exceed its benefits), I conclude the article with some suggestions for deterring HARKing.
Conceptualising displacement and migration: Processes, conditions, and categories

The “migration-displacement nexus” is a new concept intended to capture the complex and dynamic interactions between voluntary and forced migration, both internally and internationally. Besides elaborating a new concept, this volume has three main purposes: the first is to focus empirical attention on previously understudied topics, such as internal trafficking and the displacement of foreign nationals, using case studies including Afghanistan and Iraq; the second is to highlight new challenges, including urban displacement and the effects of climate change; and the third is to explore gaps in current policy responses and elaborate alternatives for the future.
Long‐term survival after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: A meta‐analysis of observational comparative studies with a propensity‐score analysis

To synthesize evidence regarding long‐term survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) from real‐world clinical practice, we performed a meta‐analysis of observational studies with a propensity‐score analysis and ≥3‐year follow‐up.
Novel agents and new therapeutics in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Purpose of review This review highlights recent therapeutic advances in systemic therapies for prostate cancer (PCa). Recent findings Progress in PCa therapeutics has been made during the past year with the approval of a vaccine therapy, second-line chemotherapy, and reported survival advantage for a CYP (17,20) lyase inhibitor in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This report will summarize the recently reported and expected data for PCa trials including an evaluation of intermittent vs. continuous androgen deprivation therapy. Denosumab is shown to support bone mineral density in hormonal sensitive PCa patients. Targeting of androgen-dependent pathways in CRPC postchemotherapy has been shown to improve survival with the lyase inhibitor abiraterone, and lead to prostate-specific antigen and objective responses with an androgen receptor antagonist (MDV3100). However, the addition of bevacizumab to docetaxel/prednisone in treating metastatic CRPC failed to provide a survival benefit. Cabazitaxel in metastatic CRPC postdocetaxel did demonstrate a survival benefit. Provenge, an autologous dendritic cell-based vaccine, demonstrated a reduction in the risk of death in metastatic CRPC. Other immunotherapy agents, including Prostvac and ipilimumab are under investigation. We also discuss the receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor XL184 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors which are in early clinical trials. Summary Recent advances in androgen targeting, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted therapies have led to significant improvements in the care of CRPC patients.
Household smoking restrictions and adolescents' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

BACKGROUND Reducing adolescents' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is an important public health goal. This paper identifies the linkage between young people's exposure at home and household smoking restrictions, and suggests the promotion of such restrictions as a strategy to reduce health risks. METHODS Data are from the 1993 Massachusetts Tobacco Survey, a telephone survey of 1,606 adolescents. RESULTS Seventy-eight percent of adolescents reported exposure to ETS during the preceding week. Reported hours of exposure at home were associated with the number of adult smokers in the household (P < 0.001). Fifty-three percent of teens who lived with smokers reported no smoking restrictions for family members, 22% reported designated smoking areas, and 25% reported smoking bans. Among those households, smoking restrictions for family members were associated with significant reductions in mean hours of ETS exposure reported: no restrictions were associated with 33.2 hr of exposure during the prior week, designated smoking areas--12.7 hr, and household smoking bans--2.4 hr. Restrictions on visitor smoking were associated with significant reductions in home ETS exposure for teens who lived with nonsmokers, but had no independent effect among teens who lived with smokers. CONCLUSIONS Health risks experienced by adolescents living with adult smokers can be substantially reduced by household smoking restrictions.
Seigniorage Revenue, Inflation Tax and Indian Economy: A Cointegration Analysis

The aim of this paper is to test the relationship between seigniorage revenue, inflation tax and interest rates for Indian Economy. For this purpose, we estimate the Mankiwâ€™s optimal seigniorage model by using time series dataset for the time period 1970-2015 for Indian Economy with the cointegration and vector error correction methods (VECM). According to estimated econometric results, there is a significant relationship between inflation, nominal interest rates and tax revenue in the long run. However, in short run there is a causality relationship from nominal interest rates and inflation to tax revenue and tax revenue to nominal interest rates. Thus, this study suggests that in the long run higher tax rates are associated with lower inflation rates and lower nominal interest rates for Indian Economy
In-hospital clinical outcome in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to assess the early clinical outcome following primary coronary angioplasty in elderly patients (aged > or = 75 years) compared to younger patients (< 75 years). METHODS The study population included 655 consecutive patients (mean age 61.5 +/- 12.4 years) with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 hours of symptom onset. Elderly patients accounted for 14.5% (96 of 655) of all patients. Primary PCI was performed using a balloon and/or coronary stent as well as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The primary endpoint was the in-hospital incidence of major adverse cardiac events (including death, stroke, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization and new onset of heart failure). RESULTS Elderly patients were more frequently female (48 vs 20%, p < 0.001) and had more comorbid disease (prior stroke 7.2 vs 2.5%, p < 0.05) and more extensive cardiovascular disease (previous acute MI 13.5 vs 5.5%, p < 0.05; multivessel disease 71.8 vs 44.6%, p < 0.0005) and a significantly lower ejection fraction (48 vs 50%, p < 0.05). Despite a similar rate of TIMI 0-1 flow at presentation (69 vs 74%, p = NS), a similar use of stents (84 vs 86%, p = 0.3) and of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor infusion (19.8 vs 22.1%, p = 0.3) and a comparable angiographic residual stenosis (21 vs 19%, p = NS), the final rate of TIMI 3 flow was significantly lower in the elderly population (77.8 vs 91.4%, p < 0.001). Although the in-hospital ischemic event rates for all ages were not significantly different, the in-hospital mortality was higher in the elderly as compared with younger patients (9.3 vs 3.2%, p < 0.0001), even when the patients with cardiogenic shock at the time of admission were excluded (4.4 vs 0.9%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, more patients aged > or = 75 had in-hospital heart failure (5.2 vs 1.8%, p < 0.05). In the whole population, multivariate analysis identified baseline Killip class III-IV as the only independent predictor of events. In elderly patients, multivariate analysis identified baseline Killip class III-IV and the time from the onset of chest pain to PCI as independent predictors of events. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that in elderly patients with acute ST-elevation MI primary PCI yields positive results: successful reperfusion can be achieved in a high proportion of elderly patients and the mortality rates are lower, than those reported in non-PCI registries. A high Killip class and late reperfusion therapy predict an unfavorable outcome in elderly patients treated with primary PCI.
Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) Expression in Hematopoietic Cells and in Patients with Systemic Mastocytosis

Uptake of monoamines into secretory granules is mediated by the vesicular monoamine transporters VMAT1 and VMAT2. In this study, we analyzed their expression in inflammatory and hematopoietic cells and in patients suffering from systemic mastocytosis (SM) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Normal human and monkey tissue specimens and tissues from patients suffering from SM and CML were analyzed by means of immunohistochemistry, radioactive in situ hybridization, real time RT-PCR, double fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy, and immunoelectron microscopy. In normal tissue specimens, VMAT2, but not VMAT1, was expressed in mast cells, megakaryocytes, thrombocytes, basophil granulocytes, and cutaneous Langerhans cells. Further hematopoietic and lymphoid cells showed no expression of VMATs. VMAT2 was expressed in all types of SM, as indicated by coexpression with the mast cell marker tryptase. In CML, VMAT2 expression was retained in neoplastic megakaryocytes and basophil granulocytes. In conclusion, the identification of VMAT2 in mast cells, megakaryocytes, thrombocytes, basophil granulocytes, and cutaneous Langerhans cells provides evidence that these cells possess molecular mechanisms for monoamine storage and handling. VMAT2 identifies normal and neoplastic mast cells, megakaryocytes, and basophil granulocytes and may therefore become a valuable tool for the diagnosis of mastocytosis and malignant systemic diseases involving megakaryocytes and basophil granulocytes.
Trust, Commitment, Love and Sex: HIV, Monogamy, and Gay Men

Research on gay men's relationships has neglected monogamy. Instead, it has tended to (a) emphasize HIV risk and relationship agreements between partners regarding sex and condom use with outside partners or (b) focus on nonmonogamous relationships as emblematic of relationship innovation. On the basis of qualitative interviews with 36 gay Australian men who favored a monogamous relationship as ideal, this article explores the meaning and practice of monogamy and its association with HIV risk. The authors present themes that include men's use of condoms in monogamous relationships, expectations of fidelity, and understandings of trust and security as the basis to meaningful and satisfying relationships.
Bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of eight fluoroquinolones against MexAB-OprM-overproducing clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of stable overproduction of efflux system MexAB-OprM on the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of fluoroquinolones against clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. METHODS The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of eight fluoroquinolones (pefloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin) were determined for nine post-therapy resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa overexpressing MexAB-OprM. Clinical significance of low-level resistance conferred by the efflux mechanism was evaluated with a Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS Compared with their pre-therapy susceptible counterparts, seven out of the nine post-therapy efflux mutants exhibited a modest two- to eight-fold increase in resistance to all the fluoroquinolones tested. Interestingly, stronger variations in resistance (up to 64-fold) were observed in two other mutants, one of which had acquired a GyrB target mutation in addition to efflux under chemotherapy. Time-kill experiments showed that MexAB-OprM up-regulation did not confer tolerance to fluoroquinolones as the ratio of MBC to MIC was less than 4 for most of the strains. To gain an insight into the clinical significance of resistance conferred by MexAB-OprM, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted with various fluoroquinolone regimens. With this model, low levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin (MIC > or = 0.25 mg/L) or levofloxacin (MIC > or = 1 mg/L), such as those due to overproduced MexAB-OprM, were predicted to result in poor clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data strongly suggest that when derepressed, MexAB-OprM provides P. aeruginosa with a resistance that may be sufficient to impair the efficacy of single therapy with highly potent fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin.
Regional Growth, Innovation, and Latent Nonlinear Effects

This paper studies the link between knowledge, innovation, and growth in European regions using nonparametric methods. Our findings suggest that knowledge inputs and the share of innovative firms have a heterogeneous and nonlinear relationship with growth. This evidence has been exploited to examine the consequences of alternative policies using a counterfactual estimation setup, the results of which imply that increasing the formal knowledge base may be optimal in most regions. Less knowledge and innovation intensive regions will also benefit from a higher innovation potential and from a trustworthy and entrepreneurial economic environment.
Pediatric pneumococcal bone and joint infections. The Pediatric Multicenter Pneumococcal Surveillance Study Group (PMPSSG).

OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of infants and children with bone and joint infections caused by penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-nonsusceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. DESIGN Multicenter, prospective patient accrual; retrospective chart review of identified patients. SETTING Eight children's hospitals in the United States. PARTICIPANTS Forty-two children with bone and/or joint infections prospectively enrolled in the United States Pediatric Multicenter Pneumococcal Surveillance Study from September 1, 1993 to August 31, 1996. OUTCOME MEASURES Data were collected on multiple variables, including age, gender, race, days of symptoms before and during hospitalization, antibiotic and surgical therapy, laboratory and imaging studies. RESULTS Of the 42 children enrolled (21 bone, 21 joint infections), 14 had isolates that were not susceptible to penicillin. Eight of 16 (50%) strains isolated from children who received antibiotics within 4 weeks before hospitalization were not susceptible to penicillin, compared with 4 of 15 (27%) strains isolated from children without previous antibiotic exposure. Clinical response to therapy was similar between children infected by penicillin-susceptible strains compared with those infected by penicillin-nonsusceptible strains, including duration of hospitalization (9.1 days vs 11.2 days), days of intravenous antibiotic therapy (25.3 days vs 24.6 days), days of fever (3.6 days vs 3.1 days), and sequelae (14% vs 7%). The most commonly prescribed single agents for parenteral therapy in definitive treatment were ceftriaxone (36%), penicillin (15%), and clindamycin (15%). Oral therapy followed parenteral therapy in 56% of children. The mean (+/- standard deviation) duration of total antibiotic therapy in children with osteomyelitis was 57.5 +/- 48.6 days (range, 23-196 days) and 29.2 +/- 11.8 days (range, 12-67 days) for arthritis. Late sequelae (long-term destructive changes of the bone or joint) were documented in 5 (12%) children, 4 with osteomyelitis, and 1 with arthritis. Sequelae occurred in 30% of children with long bone osteomyelitis associated with infection in the adjacent joint. The age of children with sequelae was younger than those without sequelae (6.4 months vs 18.6 months). CONCLUSIONS The demographic characteristics and anatomic sites of infection in our patients were similar to previously published series collected from single institutions before the emergence of significant antibiotic resistance in S pneumoniae. Our analysis suggests that children infected by penicillin-nonsusceptible strains have a similar clinical response to therapy when compared with children infected by penicillin-susceptible strains.
Clinical Relevance of P-Glycoprotein in Drug Therapy

Abstract The drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is known to confer multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. The P-gp is highly expressed in many types of tumor cells, as well as many normal tissues, including the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells, and the luminal surface of capillary endothelial cells in the brain. Because of its expression and localization, it has been suggested that P-gp plays an important role in cancer chemotherapy, intestinal absorption, and brain uptake. This review addresses the significance of the role of P-gp in cancer chemotherapy, drug absorption, and brain uptake. Based on the clinical and animal studies with P-gp modulators, it has become apparent that the role of P-gp in multidrug resistance is far less important compared to other biological factors. Although P-gp is highly expressed in both intestinal epithelial cells and endothelial cells of brain capillaries and functions as an efflux transporter in both organs, the magnitude of P-gp's impact on intestinal absorption and brain uptake of drugs is quantitatively very different. From animal and clinical studies, it is evident that P-gp plays a very important role in CNS penetration of drugs, whereas the effect of P-gp on drug absorption is not as important as generally believed.
Effect of 26 week magnetic field exposures in a DMBA initiation–promotion mammary gland model in Sprague–Dawley rats

Abstract Several studies have suggested that exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields promote chemically induced breast cancer in rats. Groups of 100 female Sprague–Dawley rats were initiated with a single 10 mg gavage dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) at 50 days of age followed by exposure to ambient fields (sham exposed), 50 Hz magnetic fields at either 1 or 5 Gauss (G) field intensity or 60 Hz fields at 1 G for 18.5 h/day, 7 days/week for 26 weeks. A vehicle control group without DMBA was included. Rats were palpated weekly for the presence of tumors. There was no effect of magnetic field exposure on body weight gains or the time of appearance of mammary tumors. At the end of 26 weeks, the animals were killed and the mammary tumors counted and measured. Mammary gland masses found grossly were examined histologically. The mammary gland carcinoma incidence was 96, 90, 95 and 85% (P < 0.05, decrease) for the DMBA controls, 1 G 50 Hz, 5 G 50 Hz and 1 G 60 Hz groups, respectively. The total numbers of carcinomas were 649, 494 (P < 0.05, decrease), 547 and 433 (P < 0.05, decrease) for the DMBA controls, 1 G 50 Hz, 5 G 50 Hz and 1 G 60 Hz groups, respectively. The number of fibroadenomas varied from 276 to 319, with the lowest number in the 1 G 60 Hz exposure group. Measurement of the tumors revealed no difference in tumor size between groups. In this breast cancer initiation–promotion study in female Sprague–Dawley rats, there was no evidence that 50 or 60 Hz magnetic fields promoted breast cancer under the conditions of this assay. This study does not support the hypothesis that magnetic field exposure can promote breast cancer in this rat model.
Hypersensitivity to preservatives

ABSTRACT: Preservatives are biocidal chemicals added to cosmetics, topical medicaments, consumer goods, foods, and industrial products to protect them against microbial spoilage and to protect the consumer against infection. The ideal preservative, both effective and devoid of irritant or sensitizing potential, is still to be discovered. The present paper reviews the most important classes of preservatives, namely parabens, formaldehyde‐releasers, and isothiazolinones. The author also discusses newer agents such as Euxyl K 400 and isopropynyl butylcarbamate. Each preservative is described in terms of chemical and physical characteristics, antimicrobial efficacy, exposure, cutaneous adverse reactions, patch testing concentrations, patterns of cross‐reactions, and reported rates of sensitization. The history of preservatives goes back to the 1930s, and ironically, the parabens, which the industry has sought to replace with “safer” alternatives, are still the most frequently used biocides in cosmetics and appear to be far less sensitizing than most of the newer agents.
Understanding the Involvement of Volunteers in Precollege Outreach Programs: An Exploratory Study

Precollege outreach programs are an important resource for improving college enrollment for groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. But the ability of these programs to serve all eligible students is constrained by resource limitations. This study uses data collected from case studies of four precollege outreach programs to understand how precollege outreach programs may expand the reach of their programs through the use of one seemingly free resource: volunteers. To address this overarching purpose, the study frames volunteering as a type of prosocial behavior and explores the following three questions: How and why do precollege outreach programs use volunteers? What motivations explain a volunteer’s involvement in a precollege outreach program? How do precollege outreach programs encourage individuals to serve as volunteers? The study concludes with recommendations for program administrators and directions for future research. Although college enrollment rates have been increasing for all groups, gaps across groups persist (Baum & Ma, 2007). The share of high school graduates enrolling immediately in postsecondary education increased for those in the lowest family income quintile from about 35% in 1983 to about 50% in 2006. Nonetheless, immediate postsecondary enrollment rates are still about 30