Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multicenter evaluation of the interference of hemoglobin, bilirubin and lipids on Synchron LX-20 assays

Abstract The influence of interference by hemolysis, icterus and lipemia on the results of routine chemistries may lead to wrong interpretations. The H-, I- and L-indices that can be measured by the Beckman LX-20 instrument (Beckman Coulter) in serum or plasma samples are a reliable semi-quantitative measure of the size of these interferences. A survey carried out in 16 Dutch clinical laboratories on the use of these indices demonstrated that in several of these laboratories, the influence of interferences is largely underestimated. Therefore, a multicenter study was carried out in which we examined the interference of hemolysis, icterus and lipemia on 32 analytes. On the basis of biological variation, we decided on cutoff indices above which analytically significant interference exists. We found analytically significant interference by hemolysis, icterus or lipemia, in 12, 7 and 15 of the 32 analytes studied, respectively. Flagging of results on the basis of analytically significant interference, however, results in too many clinically insignificant comments. On the basis of clinical significance, we conclude that significant interference by hemolysis, icterus or lipemia is present in only 5, 6 and 12 of the analytes studied, respectively. Use of the cutoff indices presented here facilitates optimal use of the LX-20 indices to prevent reporting of wrong results due to interference.
Heme Synthesis in Soybean Root Nodules: I. On the Role of Bacteroid delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Synthase and delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydrase in the Synthesis of the Heme of Leghemoglobin.

During nodulation of soybean (Glycine max) by Rhizobium japonicum, variations in the activities of two enzymes of heme biosynthesis, delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase (ALAD) are described. delta-Aminolevulinic acid synthase activity is found in the bacteroid fraction of nodules, but is not detected in the plant fraction. Bacteroid ALAS activity parallels heme accumulation during nodule development. delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydrase activity is found in both bacteroid and plant cytosol fractions. Bacteroid ALAD activity is constant or increases during nodulation while plant ALAD activity falls.Bacteroid ALAD activity is found in effective, not in inefficient nodules. Plant ALAD activity is found in both effective and inefficient nodules. Plant ALAD activity falls during development of both types of root nodules.These results support the contention that it is the bacteroid ALAS and ALAD activities, not those of the plant, that are directly involved in formation of leghemoglobin heme, suggesting that the bacteroid may be solely responsible for formation of leghemoglobin heme in the nodule symbiosis.
Double minute chromosomes can be produced from precursors derived from a chromosomal deletion

Recent experiments have shown that gene amplification can be mediated by submicroscopic, autonomously replicating, circular extrachromosomal molecules. We refer to those molecules as episomes (S. Carroll, P. Gaudray, M. L. DeRose, J. F. Emery, J. L. Meinkoth, E. Nakkim, M. Subler, D. D. Von Hoff, and G. M. Wahl, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:1740-1750, 1987). The experiments reported in this paper explore the way episomes are formed and their fate in the cell over time. The data reveal that in our system the episomes are initially 250 kilobases, but gradually enlarge until they become double minute chromosomes. In addition, we show that episomes or double minute chromosomes can integrate into chromosomes. Our results also suggest that episomes can be produced by deletion of the corresponding sequences from the chromosome.
Mite choice generates sex- and size-biased infection in Drosophila hydei

SUMMARY Heterogeneities in parasite infection among conspecific hosts often manifest as sex- or size-biased infections, which are typically attributed to differential host susceptibility and exposure. Since parasite fitness is often tied to host quality, host preference by parasites is likely to be under strong selection. We test the hypothesis that host preference is sufficient to generate variability in infection rate among conspecifics. Specifically, we ask whether the mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae is able to discriminate between Drosophila hydei hosts of different sex and size, while explicitly accounting for the potential confounding effects of these two factors. Our results indicate a preference for female hosts, but this preference appears to be driven by size and not sex per se. When differences in body size were controlled for, the sex-biased infection disappeared, while mites presented with the choice of two female flies of disparate sizes were more likely to select the larger host. Across the distribution of fly body weight in this study, mites preferentially attached to flies of intermediate size. This study provides evidence that mite choice for certain host types can play an important role in parasite transmission, even in the absence of differential susceptibility or exposure among hosts.
Ecosocial Innovations and Their Capacity to Integrate Ecological, Economic and Social Sustainability Transition

The article contributes to sustainability transition research by indicating the significance of transformative grassroots innovations in the context of social work research. We introduce the integrative concept of ecosocial innovation in order to demonstrate how grassroots innovations can successfully combine social, ecological and economic aspects of a sustainability transition. By ecosocial innovations, we refer to social innovations with a strong ecological orientation (e.g., recycling workshops, urban gardening, participatory unemployment projects and new local economies). The data consists of 50 examples of ecosocial innovations in Finland, Italy, Germany, Belgium and the UK. We investigate how ecosocial innovations interconnect ecological, economic and social goals and study the factors of their integrative crucial capacity. On the basis of qualitative data analysis and thematic categorisation of ecosocial innovations, we identify five integrative practices: diversity of activities, successful networking, addressing new livelihood, focus on food and explicit conceptual work on sustainability. Very often these integrative practices emerge as pragmatic solutions to local needs. For the participants, the ecosocial innovations can be relevant sources for new livelihood and wellbeing beyond the conventional labour market. Foremost, ecosocial innovations are valuable as forerunners for sustainability transition in practice.
Psychological Stress as a Determinant of Protein Levels and Salivary-Induced Aggregation of Streptococcus gordonii in Human Whole Saliva

Several pathologies of the oral cavity have been associated with stress, so we investigated salivary-induced aggregation during psychological stress. In addition, salivary total protein, alpha-amylase, and secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) were assessed. In this longitudinal study, 28 dental students provided unstimulated whole saliva during 10 minutes before an academic examination and subsequently 2 weeks and 6 weeks later in a nonstress situation. The effect of whole saliva on the aggregation of Streptococcus gordonii (HG 222) was determined spectrophotometrically. The results show a significant stress-mediated increase of salivary total protein concentration, alpha-amylase activity, amylase/protein ratio, alpha-amylase output, s-IgA concentration, and s-IgA output. There was also a trend for increased total protein output, whereas salivary flow rate was unchanged. The aggregation of S. gordonii in whole saliva collected before examination was 13.1%, whereas the aggregation in whole saliva collected during nonstress was 23.3%. This reduction was statistically significant (p <.01). Furthermore, the decrease in bacterial aggregation was related to the increase in state-anxiety (p <.05). The reduction in aggregation of S. gordonii under stress was not correlated with changes in salivary flow rate, s-IgA concentration, total protein concentration, or alpha-amylase activity. These results suggest that acute psychological stress exerts its influence on both salivary composition and salivary function. Reduced bacterial aggregation may be a contributing factor in the often reported relationship between stress and impaired oral health.
Structure of DSM-III-R criteria for disruptive childhood behaviors: confirmatory factor models.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this analysis were to examine the extent to which DSM-III-R criteria for disruptive behavior patterns were consistent with the system of diagnoses proposed. Particular attention was paid to (1) whether oppositional defiant disorder is factorially distinct from conduct disorder (CD) and (2) the extent to which CD can be further classified into overt and covert CD behaviors. METHOD Data were gathered on DSM-III-R criteria for disruptive behavior patterns for a sample of 739 New Zealand 15-year-olds using data provided by parental and self-report. These data were supplemented by officially recorded police contact data. RESULTS Application of methods of confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the diagnostic criteria in DSM-III-R reflected a constellation of distinct but highly correlated behavioral domains, with these domains corresponding to oppositional defiant disorder, overt CD (aggression, violence), covert CD (theft, dishonesty), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder behavior. Results of second-order factor analysis methods suggested that these dimensions reflected two general higher-order factors, with the first factor reflecting the extent to which the individual displayed behavioral symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and the second reflecting the extent to which the individual expressed antisocial, conduct-disordered behaviors. CONCLUSIONS The results of confirmatory factor analysis generally support and validate the diagnostic classifications proposed in DSM-III-R but suggest possible refinements that draw distinctions between overt and covert expressions of CD.
The importance of neuritic plaques and tangles to the development and evolution of AD

Objective: To determine the relation of neuritic plaques (NPs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) to the development and evolution of Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: An autopsy series of 102 patients with dementia and pathologically confirmed AD and 29 normal control subjects (NCs) was studied. AD cases were stratified according to their last Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before death as mild, moderate, severe, or very severe. NPs and NFTs were enumerated in the midfrontal (MF), inferior parietal (IP), superior temporal (ST), hippocampal (Hip), or entorhinal cortices using thioflavin-S preparations. Results: Most (87%) of the NCs had allocortical NFTs, whereas only a minority (37%) displayed neocortical NPs, and even fewer (19%) showed Hip NPs. In contrast, none of the NCs exhibited neocortical NFTs, except one case with a single ST tangle. However, neocortical NFTs were not detected in even 10% of the patients with AD and, in particular, were absent in nearly 50% of those with mild disease at death. Thus, their sensitivity as a marker of AD was lower than that of NPs, which, conversely, were found in all patients with AD. Comparing NCs and patients with mild AD, significant differences were found for numbers of NPs only. Across the AD groups, in contrast, although NP and NFT density increased with dementia severity, significant differences consistently emerged for NFTs alone. Conclusions: Deterioration in Alzheimer disease appears to be driven by neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles at different stages of the disease. The significant increase in neuritic plaques, but not neurofibrillary tangles, in patients with even mild Alzheimer disease at death compared with normal control subjects suggests that only neuritic plaques are associated with the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer disease.
Drought forecasting: A review of modelling approaches 2007–2017

Droughts are prolonged precipitation-deficient periods, resulting in inadequate water availability and adverse repercussions to crops, animals and humans. Drought forecasting is vital to water resources planning and management in minimizing the negative consequences. Many models have been developed for this purpose and, indeed, it would be a long process for researchers to select the best suited model for their research. A timely, thorough and informative overview of the models' concepts and historical applications would be helpful in preventing researchers from overlooking the potential selection of models and saving them considerable amounts of time on the problem. Thus, this paper aims to review drought forecasting approaches including their input requirements and performance measures, for 2007–2017. The models are categorized according to their respective mechanism: regression analysis, stochastic, probabilistic, artificial intelligence based, hybrids and dynamic modelling. Details of the selected papers, including modelling approaches, authors, year of publication, methods, input variables, evaluation criteria, time scale and type of drought are tabulated for ease of reference. The basic concepts of each approach with key parameters are explained, along with the historical applications, benefits and limitations of the models. Finally, future outlooks and potential modelling techniques are furnished for continuing drought research.
Duration of Action and Tissue Distribution of Zinc Protoporphyrin in Neonatal Rats

Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) has been shown to inhibit heme oxygenase (HO) activity effectively in vivo and has potential in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Because this is a transitional or temporary condition lasting only several days, an effective chemopreventive agent with a relatively short duration of action would be desirable for the treatment of severe neonatal jaundice. To determine the effective duration of action of ZnPP, we administered either 40 nmol/g of body weight ZnPP or 5 μL/g body weight diluent intraperitoneally to neonatal rats 24-36 h after birth. Between 0 and 21 d after ZnPP dosing, the duration of action was investigated through measurements of serum bilirubin and hepatic and splenic HO inhibition, which were correlated to measurements of ZnPP distribution. Significant (p< 0.05) hepatic HO inhibition, ranging from 27 to 51%, was observed in the liver between 1 and 4 d after dosing, concurrent with a 23-28% reduction in serum bilirubin levels, and was associated with ZnPP tissue concentrations of 27-38 nmol/g. Splenic HO was not inhibited measurably by the much lower concentrations of ZnPP found in the spleen (2.8-20.1 nmol/g) between 0 and 21 d after dosing. Furthermore, HO isoform 1 (HO-1) induction was apparently not a confounding factor in the duration of action of ZnPP, because the modest increases in HO-1 protein levels were not sustained longer than 24 h after ZnPP administration. Our findings demonstrated that the duration of action of ZnPP in neonatal rats is less than 1 wk. The reduction in serum bilirubin levels, the short duration of action and minimal confounding effects suggest that ZnPP may be an effective chemopreventive agent for the treatment of severe neonatal jaundice.
Sodium channel dysfunction in intractable childhood epilepsy with generalized tonic–clonic seizures

Mutations in SCN1A, the gene encoding the brain voltage‐gated sodium channel α1 subunit (NaV1.1), are associated with genetic forms of epilepsy, including generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+ type 2), severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) and related conditions. Several missense SCN1A mutations have been identified in probands affected by the syndrome of intractable childhood epilepsy with generalized tonic–clonic seizures (ICEGTC), which bears similarity to SMEI. To test whether ICEGTC arises from molecular mechanisms similar to those involved in SMEI, we characterized eight ICEGTC missense mutations by whole‐cell patch clamp recording of recombinant human SCN1A heterologously expressed in cultured mammalian cells. Two mutations (G979R and T1709I) were non‐functional. The remaining alleles (T808S, V983A, N1011I, V1611F, P1632S and F1808L) exhibited measurable sodium current, but had heterogeneous biophysical phenotypes. Mutant channels exhibited lower (V983A, N1011I and F1808L), greater (T808S) or similar (V1611F and P1632S) peak sodium current densities compared with wild‐type (WT) SCN1A. Three mutations (V1611F, P1632S and F1808L) displayed hyperpolarized conductance–voltage relationships, while V983A exhibited a strong depolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation. All mutants except T808S had hyperpolarized shifts in the voltage dependence of steady‐state channel availability. Three mutants (V1611F, P1632S and F1808L) exhibited persistent sodium current ranging from ∼1–3% of peak current amplitude that was significantly greater than WT‐SCN1A. Several mutants had impaired slow inactivation, with V983A showing the most prominent effect. Finally, all of the functional alleles exhibited reduced use‐dependent channel inhibition. In summary, SCN1A mutations associated with ICEGTC result in a wide spectrum of biophysical defects, including mild‐to‐moderate gating impairments, shifted voltage dependence and reduced use dependence. The constellation of biophysical abnormalities for some mutants is distinct from those previously observed for GEFS+ and SMEI, suggesting possible, but complex, genotype–phenotype correlations.
The Impact of Exogenous Liquidity Shocks on Banks Funding Costs: Microevidence from the Unsecured Interbank Market

This paper examines the impact of exogenous liquidity shocks in the unsecured interbank market. We evaluate the effects of idiosyncratic liquidity shocks—arising from deposits outflow at the bank level—and of the aggregate liquidity shock related to the U.S. tapering observed between May and September of 2013. We find that both liquidity shocks are associated with higher interbank loan prices, albeit the magnitude of the overprice and the impact on the access to interbank liquidity differ depending on the borrower-specific characteristics. More capitalized and liquid banks tend to pay less for liquidity—concurrent with evidence on market discipline—but also can absorb better the impact of exogenous liquidity shocks, suggesting benefits from capital and liquidity ratios. Our results suggest that lending relationships can alleviate funding costs during idiosyncratic liquidity shocks, while central bank liquidity contributes to smooth the impact of aggregate liquidity shocks. Results have implications for both financial stability and monetary policy transmission.
Dynamic supply chain capabilities

Purpose This paper positions market sensing, supply chain agility and supply chain adaptability as a coherent cluster of dynamic supply chain capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to understand how dynamic supply chain capabilities interrelate and their effect on supply chain ambidexterity. Design/methodology/approach Based on a survey of Pakistani manufacturing firms, a theoretically-derived model was tested in a structural equation model. Findings The results of the study show that a market-sensing capability is an antecedent of supply chain agility and supply chain adaptability. Furthermore, supply chain agility, directly, and supply chain adaptability, indirectly, affect supply chain ambidexterity. Supply chain agility, therefore, mediates the relationship between supply chain adaptability and supply chain ambidexterity. Originality/value The contribution of this study lies in: first, identifying dynamic capability clusters relevant for achieving supply chain ambidexterity; second, evaluating performance implications of dynamic capabilities in the supply chain, specifically supply chain agility and adaptability; and third, proposing a unique measurement of supply chain ambidexterity in the light supply chain theory, and empirically evaluating the relationship between dynamic capabilities and supply chain ambidexterity.
Intergenerational Earnings Mobility in Post‐Soviet Russia

We make use of longitudinal data for the Russian economy over 1994&#8211;2016 to obtain earnings information about parents and children. We show that rank correlations give reliable estimates, and find intergenerational correlations for sons and daughters that are comparable to those found in the USA and the UK. Sons earn more than daughters conditional on education and parents&#8217; rank. Observable household characteristics and unobservables contribute about the same to the correlations, both more than education.
Comprehensive Assessment of HIV Target Cells in the Distal Human Gut Suggests Increasing HIV Susceptibility Toward the Anus

Background:Prevention of rectal HIV transmission is a high-priority goal for vaccines and topical microbicides because a large fraction of HIV transmissions occurs rectally. Yet, little is known about the specific target-cell milieu in the human rectum other than inferences made from the colon. Methods:We conducted a comprehensive comparative in situ fluorescence study of HIV target cells (CCR5-expressing T cells, macrophages, and putative dendritic cells) at 4 and 30 cm proximal of the anal canal in 29 healthy individuals, using computerized analysis of digitized combination stains. Results:Most strikingly, we find that more than 3 times as many CD68+ macrophages express the HIV coreceptor CCR5 in the rectum than in the colon (P = 0.0001), and as such rectal macrophages seem biologically closer to the HIV-susceptible CCR5high phenotype in the vagina than the mostly HIV-resistant CCR5low phenotype in the colon. Putative CD209+ dendritic cells are generally enriched in the colon compared with the rectum (P = 0.0004), though their CCR5 expression levels are similar in both compartments. CD3+ T-cell densities and CCR5 expression levels are comparable in the colon and rectum. Conclusions:Our study establishes the target-cell environment for HIV infection in the human distal gut and demonstrates in general terms that the colon and rectum are immunologically distinct anatomical compartments. Greater expression of CCR5 on rectal macrophages suggests that the most distal sections of the gut may be especially vulnerable to HIV infection. Our findings also emphasize that caution should be exercised when extrapolating data obtained from colon tissues to the rectum.
The prevalence of increased central adiposity in Australian school children 1985 to 2007

The epidemic of obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) maybe plateauing. However, studies using skin‐fold and waist circumference measurements suggest that BMI may underestimate changes in fatness in children. In this study we examine changes in waist circumference and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) in Australian children between 1985 and 2007, by undertaking secondary data analysis of three national data sets. The mean waist circumference z‐score for boys increased from −0.02 (95% CI −0.05 to 0.01) in 1985, to 0.33 (0.26 to 0.40) in 1995 and 0.41 (0.35 to 0.47) in 2007 and was greater (P < 0.001) than the increase in BMI z‐score. The increase in mean waist circumference z‐score for girls was greater (P < 0.001) than boys and increased from −0.02 (0.05 to 0.01) in 1985, to 0.33 (0.26 to 0.41) in 1995 and to 0.57 (0.51 to 0.63) in 2007. The number of children with a WHtR ≥0.5 increased from 8.6% in 1985, to 13.6% in 1995 and 18.3% in 2007. Between 1985 and 2007 central adiposity increased at a faster rate than total adiposity, particularly in girls. The secular increase in waist circumference and WHtR is concerning as measures of central adiposity are associated with metabolic and cardiovascular risk.