Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term projections for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease onsets

Projections of both the short- and long-term course of the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) epidemic in Great Britain have demonstrated great uncertainty due to the lack of knowledge of key aspects of the biology and epidemiology of this new disease. Such projections are sensitive to assumptions made regarding the pattern of exposure to BSE-infected animals, the effectiveness of control measures introduced in 1989 and 1996 in reducing this exposure, the functional form of the incubation period distribution and patterns of age-dependent susceptibility/exposure. This paper provides short-term projections for vCJD onsets using the time- and age-distributed onset data to the end of 2000, with results that are directly comparable to the other papers in this issue. These results demonstrate the continued uncertainty in the future scale of this disease.
Blocking swelling‐activated chloride current inhibits mouse liver cell proliferation

1 A non‐transformed mouse liver cell line (AML12) was used to show that blocking swelling‐activated membrane Cl− current inhibits hepatocyte proliferation. 2 Two morphologically distinguishable cell populations exhibited distinctly different responses to hypotonic stress. Hypotonic stress (from 280 to 221 mosmol kg−1) to rounded, dividing cells activated an ATP‐dependent, outwardly rectifying, whole‐cell Cl− current, which took 10 min to reach maximum conductance. A similar anionic current was present spontaneously in 20 % of the dividing cells. Hypotonic stress to flattened, non‐dividing cells activated no additional current. 3 The Eisenman halide permeability sequence of swelling‐activated anionic current in the dividing cells was SCN− > I− > Br− > Cl− > gluconate. 4 Addition of either 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonate (DIDS), 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB), tamoxifen or mibefradil inhibited swelling‐activated anionic current. Hyperosmolarity by added sucrose inhibited the spontaneous anionic current in dividing cells. 5 Added Cl− channel blockers NPPB (IC50= 40 μm), DIDS (IC50= 31 μm), tamoxifen (IC50= 1.3 μm) and mibefradil (IC50= 7 μm) inhibited proliferative growth of AML12 as determined by cell counts over 4 days or by protein accumulation over 2 days. Only the inhibitory effects of NPPB and mibefradil reversed with the drug washout. Hyperosmolarity by added sucrose (50 and 100 mm) also inhibited cell proliferation. 6 Of the hydrophobic inhibitors neither NPPB at 40 μm nor tamoxifen at 1.3 μm, added for 48 h, reduced cellular ATP; however, DIDS at 31 μm significantly reduced cellular ATP with an equivalent increase in cellular ADP. 7 We conclude that those membrane Cl− currents that can be activated by hypotonic stress are involved in mechanisms controlling liver cell growth, and that NPPB, tamoxifen and mibefradil at their IC50 for growth do not suppress the metabolism of mouse hepatocytes.
Allosteric modulation of an expressed homo‐oligomeric GABA‐gated chloride channel of Drosophila melanogaster

1 Functional GABA‐gated chloride channels are formed when cRNA encoding the Drosophila melanogaster GABA receptor subunit RDL is injected into the cytoplasm of Xenopus oocytes. Two‐electrode voltage‐clamp was used to investigate allosteric modulation of GABA‐induced currents recorded from the expressed, bicuculline‐insensitive, RDL homo‐oligomers. 2 Flunitrazepam (0.1 μm to 100 μm) had no effect on the amplitude of responses to 10 μm GABA (approximately EC10), whereas 4′chlorodiazepam (100 μm) enhanced the amplitude of submaximal responses to GABA. 3‐Hydroxymethyl‐β‐carboline (1 μm) and ethyl‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylate (both 1 and 100 μm) had no effect on currents induced by 30 μm (approximately EC50) GABA. However 100 μm 3‐hydroxymethyl‐β‐carboline reduced potentiation by 4′chlorodiazepam. 3 The sodium salts of pentobarbitone (10 μm to 1 mM) and phenobarbitone (50 μm to 1 mM) dose‐dependently enhanced submaximal GABA responses. Neither barbiturate activated currents in the absence of GABA. 4 At 10 μm, the steroids 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one and alphaxalone (5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐11,20‐dione), potentiated submaximal GABA responses. The stereoselectivity of steroid action seen on vertebrate GABAA receptors was observed on RDL homo‐oligomers as 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (10 μm) was without effect. None of the three steroids tested activated currents in the absence of GABA. 5 The novel anticonvulsant, loreclezole (100 μm), potentiated the response to 10 μm GABA, but not that of saturating concentrations of GABA. δ‐Hexachlorocyclohexane (0.1 μm to 30 μm) was a potent enhancer of submaximal responses to GABA of RDL. 6 The potencies of barbiturates and steroids on RDL homo‐oligomers resemble those observed for several in situ insect GABA receptors, whereas those of benzodiazepine binding‐site ligands are considerably reduced. The differences in the benzodiazepine pharmacology of RDL homo‐oligomers and native GABA receptors, may reflect roles of other subunits in native insect receptors.
Variable Selection and Functional Form Uncertainty in Cross-Country Growth Regressions

Regression analyses of cross-country economic growth data are complicated by two main forms of model uncertainty: the uncertainty in selecting explanatory variables and the uncertainty in specifying the functional form of the regression function. Most discussions in the literature address these problems independently, yet a joint treatment is essential. We perform this joint treatment by extending the linear model to allow for multiple-regime parameter heterogeneity of the type suggested by new growth theory, while addressing the variable selection problem by means of Bayesian model averaging. Controlling for variable selection uncertainty, we confirm the evidence in favor of new growth theory presented in several earlier studies. However, controlling for functional form uncertainty, we find that the effects of many of the explanatory variables identified in the literature are not robust across countries and variable selections.
Physical and Chemical Characterization of Fuel Ethanol Coproducts Relevant to Value-Added Uses

ABSTRACT One of the fastest growing industries in the United States is the fuel ethanol industry. In terms of ethanol production capability, the industry has grown by more than 600% since the year 2000. The major coproducts from corn-based ethanol include distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and carbon dioxide. DDGS is used as a livestock feed because it contains high quantities of protein, fiber, amino acids, and other nutrients. The goal of this study was to quantify various chemical and physical properties of DDGS, distillers wet grains (DWG), and distillers dried grain (DDG) from several plants in South Dakota. Chemical properties of the DDGS included crude ash (5.0–21.93%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (26.32–43.50%), acid detergent fiber (ADF) (10.82–20.05%), crude fiber (CF) (8.14–12.82%), crude protein (27.4–31.7%), crude fat (7.4–11.6%), and total starch (9.19–14.04%). Physical properties of the DDGS included moisture content (3.54–8.21%), Aw (0.42–0.53), bulk density (467.7–509.38 kg/m3.
Stakeholder perspectives on the organisation of systematic neonatal screening programmes in Europe : decision making and ethical implications ”

4 Objective . 4 Methods . 4 Results . 4 Conclusion . 5 Background . 5 Method . 5 Results . 6 Including ethical implications in decision-making process at policy level . 6 Involvement of patients and families in the decision making process at policy level . 7 Communication and information provision at the level of individual decision making . 7 Availability of treatment . 11 Consequence of Screening and Quality of Life . 13 Conclusion. 16 Literature . 17 “Stakeholder perspectives on the organisation of systematic neonatal screening programmes in Europe: decision making and ethical implications” twitter.com/Epposi www.epposi. org linkedin.com/company/Epposi ©EPPOSI Page 4 of 21 Abstract
Evaluation of the Accusport® Lactate Analyser

It has been suggested that lactate concentrations may provide a guide to an optimal training intensity. However, lactate concentrations established during incremental exercise in the laboratory are not always indicative of what is occurring during constant-load exercise at the same intensity. Ideally, lactate concentrations should be measured during a training session and immediately reported to the athlete to ensure that the athlete is working at the desired intensity. The purpose of this investigation was, therefore, to determine the reliability and validity of a compact, portable lactate analyser (ACCUSPORT; Boeringer Mannheim, Castle Hill, Australia). A total of 224 capillary blood samples were taken from athletes who took part in routine laboratory testing. Seventy-three of these capillary blood samples were analysed in duplicate with the Accusport for determination of intraclass, single-trial reliability. Day-to-day intraclass reliability of the Accusport was assessed by analyzing known concentrations of aqueous lactate solutions on seven consecutive days. The validity of the Accusport analyser was assessed by comparing the 224 capillary blood lactate concentrations determined on the Accusport with the lactate concentration obtained using a MICRO STAT LM3 (Analox Instruments Ltd., London, UK). In addition, lactate parameters derived from the lactate concentrations obtained with the two analysers were compared. The Accusport showed high single-trial intraclass reliability (R = 0.992; Standard Error of Measurement [SE(M)] = 0.3 mmol x l(-1); n = 73) and high day-to-day intraclass reliability (R = 0.993; SE(M) = 0.4 mmol x l(-1); n = 42). Despite a strong correlation between blood lactate concentrations obtained on the two analysers (r = 0.96; n = 224) the limits of agreement were + 1.9 to - 2.2 mmol x l(-1). Although the mean values for power output, HR and lactate concentration associated with the lactate parameters were not significantly different when determined on the Accusport or Micro Stat, some individuals did record large differences between analysis methods. In summary, the results of this investigation have shown that lactate concentrations can be reliably determined within a single trial and from day-to-day using the Accusport analyser. However, for some athletes, it is not valid to compare lactate concentrations or lactate parameters determined on the Accusport with those determined using the Micro Stat LM3 lactate analyser.
Potential antitumor applications of a monoclonal antibody specifically targeting human papilloma virus 16 E749–57 peptide

Our study aims to evaluate whether the approach of TCRm mAb has therapeutic potential against HPV‐induced tumors. In the present study, we generated a murine IgG2a mAb 6C10 specifically recognizing HPV‐16‐E749–57 epitope (RAHYNIVTF) in the polypeptides and in complex with a MHC class I molecule. Analysis of the primary structure shows that the 6C10 Ab displays a novel sequence in the CDR of the heavy chain, compared to the sequences in the Kabat database, which suggests the Ab has completed its affinity maturation. The 6C10 Ab can specifically recognize E7 and Trx‐E730–67 protein in ELISA, and can also specifically bind to T2 cell carrying HPV‐16‐E749–57 peptide. In the TC‐1 cell tumor‐bearing mouse model, 6C10 exhibits tumor suppression activity when compared to the isotype control Ab. 6C10 Ab has showed tumor‐inhibition potency in a mouse model and this Ab may have the prospect of cancer therapy.
Gabapentin Is a First Line Drug for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury

Study Design. Prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. Objectives. To determine the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury. Summary of Background Data. Neuropathic pain is initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system. Neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury is quite refractory, and current treatments are not effective. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, has become the first choice in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The place of gabapentin in the treatment of spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain was questioned in only a few recent reports; however, they are retrospectively designed, nonstandardized, and uncontrolled studies, or involve a very small series of patients using less than optimum doses. Methods. A total of 18-week study period included a 4-week medication/placebo titration period. This was followed by a 4-week stable dosing period when the patients continued to receive maximum tolerated doses, a 2-week washout period, then a crossover of 4 weeks of medication/placebo titration, and another 4 weeks of stable dosing period. Twenty paraplegic patients (female/male: 7/13) with complete spinal cord injury at the thoracic and lumbar level, aged between 20 and 65 years, with neuropathic pain for more than 6 months were recruited for the study. Results. All patients completed the study. Gabapentin reduced the intensity as well as the frequency of pain, relieved all neuropathic pain descriptors except the itchy, sensitive, dull, and cold types, and improved the quality of life (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Gabapentin can be added to the list of first-line medications for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients. It is a promising new agent and offers advantages over currently available treatments.
Immunological and morphological effects of vasectomy in the rabbit

Half of the rabbits developed antisperm antibodies (measured by either indirect immunofluorescence or sperm immobilization tests) after either a unilateral or bilateral vasectomy. The raised antibody levels, particularly six months or longer after vasectomy, often accompanied patchy orchitis. Seminiferous tubules from such animals exhibited sloughed, multinucleated, and immature germinal cells which were engulfed by phagocytic cells. Mononuclear infiltrates were occasionally present. The basal lamina infolded and thickened by means of supernumerary layers and appeared to be endocytosed by cells of the seminiferous tubules. Four months after vasectomy, numerous phagocytic cells were seen to migrate through the intact epithelium of zone 1 in the caput epididymidis, and were particularly prevalent in animals that exhibited testicular damage. These macrophages may serve to present sperm antigens to lymphocytes.
Lung carcinogenesis: Resveratrol modulates the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of PAH in human bronchial epithelial cells

Studies suggest that resveratrol (trans‐3,4′,5‐trihydroxystilbene), which is a diphenolic antioxidant found in plants and foods, has cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential. A lower risk of lung cancer among consumers of wine compared with consumers of other beverages has been observed, which may be partly attributed to the high content of resveratrol particularly in red wine. We have studied the effect of resveratrol on the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEP2D. Expression of the cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and 1B1 (CYP1B1), microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH), and glutathione S‐transferase P1 (GSTP1) genes was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. The cells were treated either with benzo[a]pyrene or 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin in the presence or absence of resveratrol. Resveratrol inhibited both the constitutive and the induced expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in a dose‐dependent manner. In contrast, the expression of the mEH gene was increased in response to resveratrol and no change in the expression of GSTP1 was found. The altered gene expression in response to resveratrol was reflected in a reduced overall level of benzo[a]pyrene metabolism. These data indicate that resveratrol may exert lung cancer chemopreventive activity through altering the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, resulting in altered formation of carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene metabolites in human bronchial epithelial cells. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Broad Host Range Single-Stranded RNA Phage PRR1 Places It in the Levivirus Genus with Characteristics Shared with Alloleviviruses

ABSTRACT Single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) bacteriophages of the family Leviviridae infect gram-negative bacteria. They are restricted to a single host genus. Phage PRR1 is an exception, having a broad host range due to the promiscuity of the receptor encoded by the IncP plasmid. Here we report the complete genome sequence of PRR1. Three proteins homologous with those of other ssRNA phages, i.e., maturation, coat, and replicase proteins, were identified. A fourth protein has a lysis function. Comparison of PRR1 with other members of the Leviviridae family places PRR1 in the genus Levivirus with some characteristics more similar to those of members of the genus Allolevivirus.
An improved area-based guideline for domestic water demand estimation in South Africa

Increased infrastructural development and potable water consumption have highlighted the importance of accurate waterdemand estimates for effective municipal water services infrastructure planning and design. In the light of evolving water consumption trends, the current guideline for municipal water demand estimation, published in 1983, needs to be revised. This study investigated, using regression analyses, the combined effect of various socio-economic and climatic parameters on municipal water consumption with the objective of determining the dominant influencing parameters and suggesting a new guideline for water-demand estimation. To this end, an initial database comprising more than 2.5 x106 metered water consumption records extracted from 48 municipal treasury databases, which are located within 5 out of the 7 South African water regions was analysed. Each of the 48 municipal treasury databases spanned a period of at least 12 months. The final amalgamated database, after rigorous cleaning and filtering, comprised 1 091 685 consumption records. Single variable and stepwise multiple variable regression analyses were utilised. Results show that stand area, stand value and geographical location are the dominant parameters influencing municipal water consumption, with stand area and stand value positively correlated to water consumption. In suggesting a new municipal water-demand estimation guideline, these three parameters were considered. Stand value, however, fell away as a reliable parameter for estimating water consumption because of the inconsistent basis for predicting stand values due to the constant fluctuations in the value of property, and municipal valuations that often become outdated. Inland and coastal geographical locations exhibited different consumption patterns, with coastal stands of the same stand area and stand value consistently consuming less water than inland stands. These should therefore be treated separately in any design guideline. Stand area then became the best parameter on which to base water-demand estimations. A single guideline curve is therefore proposed which gives various confidence limits for estimating water demand in South Africa, based on stand area.Keywords: domestic water demand estimation, area-based guideline
Working Paper : Breaking the Cycle ? Intergenerational Effects of an Anti-Poverty Program in Early Childhood

Acknowledgements: We are grateful for financial support from the University of California, Davis Center for Poverty Research’s Small Grants Competition, made possible in part by grant number AE00102 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Analysis. We thank Maria Rosales-Rueda and Terri Sabol for helpful discussant comments and seminar participants at the University of Chicago Harris School, Stanford University Center for Education Policy Analysis, Institute for Research on Poverty Summer Research Workshop (Wisconsin), UC Davis, and W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research for useful feedback. We also thank Martha Bailey, Marianne Bitler, Jens Ludwig, and Doug Miller for insightful conversations. Sreeraahul Kancherla and David Melnick provided excellent research assistance. Any remaining errors are our own. The views expressed in publications resulting from supported research do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Despite substantial evidence that resources and outcomes are transmitted across generations, there has been limited inquiry into the extent to which anti-poverty programs actually disrupt the cycle of bad outcomes. We explore how the effects of the United States’ largest early childhood program transfer across generations. We leverage the geographic rollout of this federally funded, means-tested preschool program to estimate the effect of early childhood exposure among mothers on their children’s long-term outcomes. We find evidence of intergenerational transmission of effects in the form of increased educational attainment, reduced teen pregnancy, and reduced criminal engagement in the second generation. EdPolicyWorks
Low immediate postoperative platelet count is associated with hepatic insufficiency after hepatectomy.

AIM To investigate the relationship between low immediate postoperative platelet count and perioperative outcome after liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS In a cohort of 565 consecutive hepatitis B-related HCC patients who underwent major liver resection, the characteristics and clinical outcomes after liver resection were compared between patients with immediate postoperative platelet count < 100 × 10(9)/L and patients with platelet count ≥ 100 × 10(9)/L. Risk factors for postoperative hepatic insufficiency were evaluated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS Patients with a low immediate postoperative platelet count (< 100 × 10(9)/L) had more grade III-V complications (20.5% vs 12.4%, P = 0.016), and higher rates of postoperative liver failure (6.8% vs 2.6%, P = 0.02), hepatic insufficiency (31.5% vs 21.2%, P < 0.001) and mortality (6.8% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001), compared to patients with a platelet count ≥ 100 × 10(9)/L. The alanine aminotransferase levels on postoperative days 3 and 5, and bilirubin on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5 were higher in patients with immediate postoperative low platelet count. Multivariate analysis revealed that immediate postoperative low platelet count, rather than preoperative low platelet count, was a significant independent risk factor for hepatic insufficiency. CONCLUSION A low immediate postoperative platelet count is an independent risk factor for hepatic insufficiency. Platelets can mediate liver regeneration in the cirrhotic liver.
Management of hyperlipidemia in pediatrics

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date information on diagnosis and management of hyperlipidemia in children and adolescents. Recent findings Recent research reemphasizes the importance of dyslipidemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and supports a universal approach to screening for genetic dyslipidemias. Summary The approach to management of hyperlipidemia should take two forms. First, a population-based approach to improve lifestyle and lipid levels in all children. Second, a high-risk strategy to identify children with genetic and environmental dyslipidemias through screening and appropriately treat those children and adolescents with dyslipidemia.