Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behçet’s disease: a new target for anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment

Behçet’s disease is a multisystemic, chronic relapsing inflammatory disease classified among the vasculitides. Recurrent mucocutaneous lesions may be the only symptoms in mild cases, but articular, ocular, vascular, and/or gastrointestinal and central nervous system involvement may occur in most of the patients. Ocular disease is the most frequent cause of morbidity leading to blindness in 25% of those affected. The various non-specific immunosuppressive drugs, used either alone or in combinations, frequently fail to control inflammation or maintain remissions. The aetiology of Behçet’s disease is unknown, however it is currently thought that a central pathogenetic role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the inflammatory process is possible. Until June 2002, and according to published and anecdotal data, more than 80 patients from 10 different countries have received anti-TNF treatment. The short-term effects of the anti-TNF monoclonal antibody infliximab have been reported in several case reports and small case series, whereas the effects of etanercept have been presented in recent conferences. Preliminary results strongly suggest that infliximab is remarkably effective in inducing short-term remission of almost all manifestations of the disease, including acute, sight threatening panuveitis. A double blind, placebo controlled, one month study on the efficacy of etanercept in suppressing the mucocutaneous manifestations of the disease showed beneficial results. To date, significant side effects have not been reported. It seems that TNF block is an effective new treatment for patients with Behçet’s disease. Whether such treatment is superior to the conventional therapeutic approaches in preventing relapses and progression of the disease remains to be determined by carefully controlled studies. At least three open, long term studies, including larger numbers of patients are currently being conducted.
Investigation of diffusion bonding quality by ultrasonic technique

For high-temperature ultrasonic transducers piezoelement-to-metal thermosonic bonding technology was developed based on gold-to-gold diffusion. Bond quality strongly depends on bonding parameters – pressure, temperature, ultrasonic power and time. The first step for achieving good bonds was ultrasonic monitoring of the process. In ultrasonic transducers good diffusion bond means good acoustic coupling of piezoelement to the protector and this coupling must withstand high temperatures. Bond quality tests comprise piezoelement electrodes adhesion issues as well. Bismuth titanate and PZT piezoelements were bonded to thick stainless steel protectors and membranes. For bond quality determination normal-incidence immersion scanning method from metal side was chosen. It is based on measurement of reflection/transmission signals in the bond interface and determination of their ratio which defines acoustic coupling. The whole piezoelement bonding interface was scanned automatically in x and y directions with respect to 10 MHz wideband ultrasonic transducer, having lateral beam width 1.4 mm at – 6 dB level. With optimal bonding parameters good bond quality was found. Weak or non-bonded areas are absent. Finally thus bonded transducers were used in successful temperature experiments – pulse response measurements up to 400 °C and tests in a liquid Pb/Bi at 290 °C.
Coproantigen detection for immunodiagnosis of echinococcosis and taeniasis in dogs and humans

SUMMARY Three ELISA assays, based on hyperimmune rabbit serum raised against adult cestode somatic antigen, were applied in this study for the detection of Taenia- and Echinococcus-specific antigens in host faeces. The first assay, using an antiserum against Taenia pisiformis antigen extract, was used in a time-course of T. pisiformis experimental infection in dogs. The assay was shown to be considerably more sensitive than microscopical detection of eggs in faeces. Antigen was present in faeces before patency and antigen levels were independent of T. pisiformis egg output. The second assay, involving a test for human taeniasis based on antibodies against T. solium, was applied in two field studies carried out in China and Guatemala. The test was highly specific, no false positive reactions occurred with human faecal samples and the test was capable of diagnosing individuals who would not have been detected by coproscopy or treatment to recover the tapeworm. A third assay was designed for E. granulosus and demonstrated 87·5% sensitivity and 96·5% specificity with samples from naturally and experimentally infected dogs with Echinococcus or Taenia infections. In both the human Taenia and canine Echinococcus studies antigen could be detected in faecal samples from infected hosts stored in 5% formalin for 6 months. Further refinements to these tests for field application are discussed.
The Mechanism of a‐Adrenergic Activation of the Dog Coronary Artery

Norepinephrine (NE) activates isolated coronary conduit arteries by stimulating Ca2+ uptake into the smooth muscle cells. Blockade of Ca2+ influx by removal of Ca2+ from the bathing medium or addition of 10 miu LaCl3 prevents the NE-induced contraction in the dog coronary artery but still allows NE to induce a rapid transient contraction in the rabbit aorta. Under these conditions, NE stimulates 45Ca2+ efflux from rabbit aorta but fails to do so in the coronary artery. The difference in behaviour between the two arteries is attributed to the presence of an intracellular NE-sensitive Ca2+ fraction in the rabbit aorta and its absence from the dog coronary artery. This difference also explains the much greater sensitivity of the NE-induced contractions in the dog coronary to the relaxant effects of the Ca2+ antagonists, D600 and SKF525A, than that seen in the rabbit aorta. High K+-induced contractions of both the coronary artery and the aorta are equally sensitive to the Ca2+ antagonists. Circ Res 46: 426-429, 1980
Lactate metabolism in inactive skeletal muscle during lactacidosis.

Contributions of carbohydrate and fat metabolism to the removal of a lactate (Lac-) load were quantified in inactive soleus (SL), plantaris (PL), and white gastrocnemius (WG) rat hindlimb muscle. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused for 60 min with normal perfusate (NP, n = 8) or a high-lactate perfusate (LP, n = 8), simulating ionic conditions found in arterial blood and plasma after intense exercise: Lac- = 11.0 mM, K+ = 7.88 mM, and pH = 7.15. Metabolite fluxes across the hindlimb were calculated from blood flow and arteriovenous differences. In NP, Lac- was continuously released (2.9 +/- 0.2 mumol.min-1 x 100 g-1). However, in LP, a rapid and significant uptake of Lac- increased muscle Lac- fivefold to 39.6 +/- 1.1, 33.1 +/- 2.2, and 28.8 +/- 1.7 mumol/g dry wt in SL, PL, and WG, respectively. Glucose and O2 uptakes were similar during LP and NP perfusion. Glycerol release increased eightfold to 3.3 +/- 0.7 mumol.min-1 x 100 g-1 in response to LP. Muscle ATP, creatine phosphate, glycogen, glycolytic intermediate, and triacylglycerol concentrations did not change. However, muscle lactate-to-pyruvate ratios were elevated in all muscles of the LP group postperfusion, indicating changes in the mass action ratio at the pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction. In LP, of 80 mumol of Lac- taken up, 11% was accounted for by increased muscle Lac-, 12-24% was oxidized, and 5% may have been involved in glycerol release. The remaining Lac- may have been involved in metabolic cycling along the glyconeogenic-glycolytic pathway and/or in triacylglycerol-free fatty acid substrate cycling.
Clonal Heterogeneity in Growth Kinetics of CD34+CD38− Human Cord Blood Cells In Vitro Is Correlated with Gene Expression Pattern and Telomere Length

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are characterized by an extensive proliferative capacity that decreases from fetal liver to cord blood (CB) to adult bone marrow. In previous studies, it was demonstrated that the proliferative capacity of individual CD34+CD38− HSC clones is correlated with their growth kinetics in vitro and that HSC turnover in vivo can be estimated by telomere‐length measurements.
Integrated continuity conditions and degree of approximation by polynomials or by bounded analytic functions

Introduction. In the study of uniform approximation to a function of a complex variable by polynomials or by bounded analytic functions, Lipschitz conditions have proved extremely useful in relating degree of approximation to continuity properties of the functions approximated. Parts of this theory are analogous to the older study (S. Bernstein, D. Jackson, de la Vallee Poussin, Montel) of approximation to real periodic functions by trigonometric sums, where Lipschitz conditions have also proved useful. Hardy and Littlewood [2, p. 633 ](2) first pointed out that trigonometric approximation in the mean is likewise closely related to integrated Lipschitz conditions; proofs of the theorems stated by Hardy and Littlewood were first published by Quade [l]. The object of the present note is to indicate rapidly and with a minimum of detail, that degree of approximation in the mean by polynomials in the complex variable and by bounded analytic functions is also conveniently investigated by use of integrated Lipschitz conditions. The investigation leads naturally to the use also of classes of analytic functions satisfying integrated Zygmund and integral asymptotic conditions. We shall approximate functions on an analytic Jordan curve or set of curves in the z-plane. Throughout the paper 7 denotes the unit circle, C a single analytic Jordan curve or a finite number X of mutually exterior analytic Jordan curves Cy, j=l, 2, • • , X; if X = l, Ci = C. A function z = Xi(w), w = reie, maps the closed interior of y: \w\ =1 onto the closed interior of Cy one-to-one and conformally; w = fl,(z) denotes the function inverse to z = Xy(-0; Cy denotes the interior of Cy together with Cy. Similarly, w = cp(z) maps the exterior of C conformally (not necessarily one-to-one) onto | w\ > 1 so that 00 = 1) is the image in the exterior of C ol \w\ =R under this mapping. In this paper, the letter s will denote arc-length measured on C, the letter p a number not less than unity, the letter k a non-negative integer unless otherwise indicated, the letters M and L with or without subscript constants independent of re, z and w. A function f(z) belongs to the class Hp on y if it is analytic interior to y and if Mp[f(rew)}={fln\f(reiB)Yd6}1'r> is bounded for 0
Diversity of Nontuberculoid Mycobacterium Species in Biofilms of Urban and Semiurban Drinking Water Distribution Systems

ABSTRACT Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous and have been isolated from a variety of environmental sources, including water. Various NTM were isolated from biofilms in drinking water distribution systems in two urban and two semiurban areas in South Africa. Most of the isolates belonged to opportunistic pathogenic species of the NTM group, but none belonged to the Mycobacterium avium complex.
Local Instruments, Global Extrapolation: External Validity of the Labor Supply–Fertility Local Average Treatment Effect

We investigate the external validity of local average treatment effects (LATEs), specifically Angrist and Evans’s use of same sex of the two first children as an instrumental variable for the effect of fertility on labor supply. We estimate their specification in 139 country-year censuses using Integrated Public Use Microdata Sample–International data. We compare each country-year’s actual LATE to the extrapolated LATE from other country-years. We find that, with a sufficiently large reference sample, we extrapolate the treatment effect reasonably well, but the degree of accuracy depends on the extent of covariate similarity between the target and reference settings.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for treating dementia symptoms - a safety evaluation

ABSTRACT Introduction: The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continues to rise, while treatment options for cognitive impairment are limited. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) aim to provide symptomatic benefit for cognitive decline, however these drugs are not without adverse events (AEs). The safety profile of each drug must be taken carefully into consideration before being prescribed, as new dosages and formulations have recently been approved. Areas covered: Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine are the three AChEIs approved for the treatment of varying stages of AD. Numerous clinical trials and post-marketing studies have evaluated the safety of these medications. This article will review the safety, efficacy and tolerability of these drugs in treating AD. Topics including pharmacovigilance databases, concomitant drug interactions, prescribing cascades, and treatment discontinuation are also covered. Expert opinion: AChEI use in those with mild, moderate or severe AD provide modest improvements in cognition, function and behavior. The pharmacological treatment of AD using AChEIs is associated with generally mild AEs. Differences in drug formulations should be taken into account when determining the most appropriate route of administration for each individual. Furthermore, discontinuation of AChEIs must be carefully monitored as it may be associated with worsening cognitive impairment.
Effect of organic acid and salt mixture on shelf-life extension and growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in moo yor.

This research investigated the effects of organic acids and salts solution on shelf-life extension and growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in moo yor (pork bologna). A mixture of lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid and their sodium salts was added to moo yor at various concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5, 0.75 and 1% (w/v) then stored at 4C for 31 days. Total microbial counts and sample qualities were determined during storage. Total microbial counts significantly decreased with increasing mixture concentration and storage time (p<0.05). The 0.75 % solution was selected for further study due to its inhibitory effects against bacteria and some economic aspects. Throughout storage, treated samples had less % yield loss with slightly pale colour and less firmness than the untreated samples, whereas pH values were not different. For all attributes, no significant difference in sample acceptances between treatments was found and overall difference was not observed (p>0.05). When compared to untreated and commercial-preservative-added controls, the 0.75 % solution showed promising inhibitory effects toward S. aureus and significantly suppressed both S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 growths throughout the experiment (p<0.05). In summary, the mixture of organic acids and their salts shows great potential in extending shelf-life and inhibiting growth of S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 in refrigerated moo yor while maintaining acceptable product qualities.
Maximizing DC power in energy harvesting circuits using multisine excitation

This paper presents an approach to signal excitation specially designed to improve the DC power obtained in a RF to DC converter and consequently its RF-DC efficiency conversion. In this sense a multisine signal is used as the excitation, and it is proved either theoretically, by simulations and by measurements, that a multisine signal with 0° phase relationship between the tones can give better DC values in an energy harvester, when compared with a single tone excitation with the same input average power.
Bovine serum albumin observed by infrared spectrometry. I. Methodology, structural investigation, and water uptake.

The results of preliminary infrared (IR) spectrometry experiments on bovine serum albumin (BSA) films are presented. An analysis of spectral variations due to raising the temperature and deuteration of N--H groups leads to the assignment of most IR bands of BSA. From this analysis we furthermore deduce that at 115 degrees C only hydrogen bonds established by N&bond;H groups on the still present H(2)O molecules, which are so strongly bound to the protein that they do not evaporate, are weakened, some of which are broken. These N--H.OH(2) groups represent some 5% of all N--H groups in the dried protein. Spectral changes due to hydration by water vapor are also analyzed and a precise method to measure the water-vapor pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the BSA film, or equivalently the relative humidity, is described. Various procedures to measure the number of H(2)O molecules embedded in BSA are then presented and evaluated. One of them is selected as the best one for proteins, because it matches previous measurements based on gravimetric methods. This procedure is subsequently used in a study that is devoted to the determination of the various hydrogen-bond configurations, or interaction configurations, which are adopted by H(2)O molecules during the various steps of hydration of BSA. This first analysis of hydration spectra allows the completion of the assignment of IR bands. The various spectral components of the amide I band, which are interchanged during the hydration process, cannot be assigned to various secondary structures, as is usually proposed. It suggests that this usual assignment should be used with care, especially by taking into account the state of hydration, when one wishes to obtain structural information from it.
THE EFFECT OF THE FERTILIZATION WITH VINASSA ROMPAK PRODUCT ON THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF THE CULTIVATED SOILS

The product Vinassa Rompak, resulted in the yeast obtaining technology process, can be a good fertilizer for agricultural crops and a factor for maintaining the balance between the microorganisms populations from the soil. The experiment regarding the infl uence of fertilization by using the Vinassa Rompak product was made on two permanent growing; a permanent pasturelands and fodder beet. The results presents the infl uence of the fertilization process emphasize a variation of the total number of microorganisms, of the report between the main groups (bacteria and fungi), and of the micromycetes spectrum determined in each variant of experiment.
Selective production of vocalization types in different communication contexts

ABSTRACT This study investigates the production of vocalization in adult–infant–toy interactions from 0;4 to 0;11. The hypothesis is that vocalizations are selectively uttered in relationship to their production context. Five infants (two girls, three boys) were intensively studied. Non-segmental acoustic features of vocalizations in four communicative contexts were analysed in relation to the individual infants, in order to reveal individual differences. The data were submitted to discriminant function analysis. Results show that (a) different patterns of non-segmental features characterize sounds produced in different contexts; (b) both inter-subject differences and intra-subject consistency are observed; (c) ‘selective production’ disappears after 0;9. These results are discussed in relationship to sound–meaning development.
Prion susceptibility and protective alleles exhibit marked geographic differences

A total of 616 chromosomes from control individuals of all major continental groups, and six individuals affected by either Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD) or fatal familial insomnia (FFI), were typed with a new single‐reaction protocol method and were also sequenced, with total reproducibility to screen variation at important positions (385A>G: M129V and 655G>A: E219K) in the human prion protein gene (PRNP). We have found, for the first time, that 129V allele is highly represented in some populations from the Americas, and that 129M and 129V are in similar frequencies in Africa. The 129M susceptibility allele was found at high frequencies in Old World populations, very high in the Pacific (∼81%) and up to 93% in Central and East Asia, but at a low frequency (∼30%) in Native Americans. The protective 219L allele was restricted to Asian and Pacific populations. Susceptibility alleles exhibit marked geographic differences in frequency, and thus, differences in probability to develop prion diseases. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LSD treatment in a severe case of compulsive neurosis

A detailed account is given of the course and outcome of the treatment with LSD of an incapacitating compulsive‐neurotic condition in a 30‐year‐old male. The treatment took place over 1 1/2 years from the autumn of 1962, and the patient, who has been followed since then, is completely cured symptomatically. In addition, a fortunate change in his general personality has taken place. The events during the LSD sessions revealed the basic elements of a development of his personality since early childhood, particularly the toilet‐training period, which resulted in a typical compulsive character neurosis. In turn, this character neurosis became the matrix for the outbreak of his manifest neurotic compulsions which began 4 years before the onset of treatment. The material which emerged was in complete accordance with Freudian theory.
Is 'Close the Gap' a useful approach to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians?

There is widespread enthusiasm for the Australian government’s commitment to ‘Close the Gap’ in Indigenous disadvantage, health status and life expectancy. Yet despite the rhetoric, the pursuit of statistical equality for Indigenous Australians is not a novel or particularly promising approach. It is also an approach that reduces Indigenous Australians to a range of indicators of deficit, to be monitored and rectified towards government-set targets. This illustrates a substantial imbalance in power and control over the Indigenous affairs agenda in Australia, which is the ‘gap’ that must be addressed for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians to improve.
Shine Bright like a Diamond - Exploring the Effects of Online-Product Presentation on Backing Behavior in Reward-based Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding (CF) is gaining much attention in theory and practice. Various platforms have emerged, offering the possibility to raise money from an undefined group of online users. Despite the growing interest, there appears to be little understanding of what influences backers funding behavior as well as their intention to return to a CF-platform. Due to the analogies of e-commerce and reward- based CF, we address this issue by drawing on e-commerce theory, mainly online-product- presentation. It was proven that online-product-presentation is a successful influencing factor on consumer's behavior. Based on this, we aim at developing a theory ingrained research model to analyze and understand the impact of online-product-presentation elements on funding and returning behavior of backers in reward-based CF. Our research is the first empirical attempt to investigate these effects in the context of reward-based CF. Doing so, our research contributes to the body of online-product- presentation theory by applying it into a new context. The results have practical implications for effective product presentations in reward-based CF. It helps crowdfunding intermediaries and individuals to understand the importance of online-product-presentation, and provides them with actionable ad- vice on how to handle them on, among others, platform design and online product promotion.