Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the Israeli population

SUMMARY Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence varies considerably between countries. We studied the seoprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in a national sample of the Israeli population; 2794 sera were tested. The highest age-adjusted seroprevalence rate was in Arabs (non-Bedouins) (60·4%), significantly higher compared to the rate in Jews (19·9%) and Bedouins (27·5%) (P < 0·01). There were no significant gender differences. Seropositivity increased with age in all population groups. For Jews, seropositivity was associated with place of birth and socioeconomic status. A finding of low seroprevalence rate in Bedouins despite their poor living conditions and close contact with livestock is surprising, and might be attributed to the dry and hot climate conditions in their area of residence. In women of reproductive age the seroprevalence was 15·1% in Jews, 25·4% in Bedouins and 72·3% in Arabs (non-Bedouins). Thus, the majority of pregnant women are susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii, and the risk for congenital toxoplasmosis remains high.
Alpha 1-adrenoceptor augmentation of beta-stimulated cAMP formation is enhanced by estrogen and reduced by progesterone in rat hypothalamic slices

These experiments examined the influence of estradiol and progesterone given in vivo on norepinephrine (NE) regulation of cAMP synthesis in hypothalamic and preoptic area slices in vitro. Administration of progesterone to estrogen-primed female rats attenuated NE-induced slice cAMP accumulation. This hormone-dependent reduction in NE-stimulated cAMP synthesis was observed in slices incubated with TTX and in slices prepared from hypophysectomized rats, suggesting that progesterone effects on NE receptor activation of cAMP-generating systems are not secondary to the release of neurotransmitters that inhibit adenylyl cyclase or to changes in pituitary hormone secretion. Progesterone suppression of NE-induced cAMP formation could be prevented by incubating slices in the presence of a phorbol ester. In additional studies, the activity of beta-NE receptors was assessed by measuring isoproterenol (ISO)-stimulated cAMP accumulation in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor RO-20–1724, and the activity of alpha 1 receptors was evaluated by measuring phenylephrine (PHE) augmentation of the ISO response. Estradiol reduced the cAMP response to ISO in both hypothalamic and preoptic area slices, and this effect was not reversed by subsequent progesterone treatment. Estradiol also enhanced PHE augmentation of ISO-stimulated cAMP synthesis. Moreover, administration of progesterone subsequent to estradiol eliminated alpha 1-receptor augmentation of the ISO response. An alpha 1 enhancement of the ISO response is observed if the progestin receptor antagonist RU 38486 is administered before progesterone. Progesterone also abolished PHE potentiation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-stimulated cAMP accumulation. In contrast, neither phorbol ester nor muscarinic (carbachol) potentiation of the cAMP response to ISO was affected by progesterone. The data suggest that ovarian steroids regulate the coupling of both alpha 1 and beta receptors to the membrane effector systems that generate intracellular cAMP.
Envelope Determinants of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Vaccine Protection and the Effects of Sequence Variation on Immune Recognition

ABSTRACT A highly effective attenuated equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) vaccine (EIAVD9) capable of protecting 100% of horses from disease induced by a homologous Env challenge strain (EIAVPV) was recently tested in ponies to determine the level of protection against divergent Env challenge strains (J. K. Craigo, B. S. Zhang, S. Barnes, T. L. Tagmyer, S. J. Cook, C. J. Issel, and R. C. Montelaro, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104:15105-15110, 2007). An inverse correlation between challenge strain Env variation and vaccine protection from disease was observed. Given the striking differences in protective immunity, we hypothesized that analysis of the humoral and cellular immune responses to the Env protein could reveal potential determinants of vaccine protection. Neutralization activity against the homologous Env or challenge strain-specific Env in immune sera from the vaccinated ponies did not correlate with protection from disease. Cellular analysis with Env peptide pools did not reveal an association with vaccine protection from disease. However, when individual vaccine-specific Env peptides were utilized, eight cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) peptides were found to associate closely with vaccine protection. One of these peptides also yielded the only lymphoproliferative response associated with protective immunity. The identified peptides spanned both variable and conserved regions of gp90. Amino acid divergence within the principal neutralization domain and the identified peptides profoundly affected immune recognition, as illustrated by the inability to detect cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies and the observation that certain peptide-specific CTL responses were altered. In addition to identifying potential Env determinants of EIAV vaccine efficacy and demonstrating the profound effects of defined Env variation on immune recognition, these data also illustrate the sensitivity offered by individual peptides compared to peptide pools in measuring cellular immune responses in lentiviral vaccine trials.
The Structure of Adsorbed CO(2) in Slitlike Micropores at Low and High Temperature and the Resulting Micropore Size Distribution Based on GCMC Simulations.

The Monte Carlo method is used in its grand ensemble variant in combination with CO(2) experimental isotherm data at low (195.5 K) and high temperatures (at 298 and 308 K, i.e., slightly below and above the CO(2) critical temperature, respectively) to characterize microporous carbons and obtain the corresponding pore size distribution (PSD). Specifically, the CO(2) density inside a single, slit-shaped, graphitic pore of given width is found on the basis of grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations for a predefined temperature and different relative pressures. The simulation results provide useful insights concerning the densification process in the micropores and the structure of the CO(2) molecules packing in the individual pores as the temperature or pressure changes from 195.5 K to ambient or from very low to 70 bar, respectively. Effects of temperature, pore size, quadrupole interactions, and molecule elongation on the local density profile within the pore are examined and discussed. In an additional step, we determine the optimal PSD for which the best match is obtained between computed and measured CO(2) isotherms. Comparisons are made between the PSDs found for the same carbon sample at low and high temperatures and conclusions are drawn concerning the applicability of the method and the reliability of the resulting micropore size distributions. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
INCOME DISTRIBUTION BY AGE GROUP AND PRODUCTIVE BUBBLES

The aim of this paper is to study the role of the distribution of income by age group on the existence of speculative bubbles. A crucial question is whether this distribution may promote a bubble associated to a larger level of capital, that is a productive bubble. We address these issues in an overlapping generations model where agents live three periods and productive investment done in the first period of life is an illiquid investment whose return occurs in the following two periods. A bubble is a liquid speculative investment that facilitates intertemporal consumption smoothing. We show that the distribution of income by age group determines both the existence and the effect of bubbles on aggregate production. We also show that fiscal policy, by changing the distribution of income, may facilitate or prevent the existence of bubbles and may also modify the effect that bubbles have on aggregate production.
Treatment adherence in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: patient characteristics and long-term impact of adherence on inpatient care utilization

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of antidiabetic medication adherence on hospital utilization in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). This study specifically analyzed patients with newly diagnosed T2D with the intent of lessening intragroup disease severity differences, and adjusting for a range of other clinical and demographic characteristics. Methods: This retrospective US claims database study evaluated adults with newly diagnosed T2D who started antidiabetic medications in 2005–2009, had ≥ 2 antidiabetic medication claims after their first (baseline). Medication adherence was evaluated using the medication possession ratio (MPR) of any or all antidiabetic medication(s) during the 3-year post-baseline period. Repeated-measures analyses examined changes in inpatient utilization from the pre- to post-baseline period. The impact of adherence on hospital utilization during the post-baseline period was evaluated with a logistic regression model to adjust for confounding factors. Results: The study included 192,717 patients (mean age, 55.0 years). Mean MPR for antidiabetic therapy was 0.74. MPR was highest in elderly patients and Medicare beneficiaries. Mean annualized inpatient admissions during the 3-year post-baseline period were significantly lower in patients with MPR ≥ 0.80 (1.4) than in those with MPR < 0.80 (2.2; P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for patient characteristics and prior inpatient utilization, showed 39% lower odds of hospitalization (OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.534–0.693) for patients with MPR ≥ 0.80. People with T2D-related complications or hospitalization had approximately 2- to 3-fold higher risk of subsequent hospitalization. Conclusions: In newly diagnosed T2D patients with antidiabetic therapy in the first three ensuing years, higher antidiabetic medication adherence was significantly associated with lower hospital inpatient utilization before and after adjusting for patient characteristics.
The Effects of Tillage and Straw Incorporation on Soil Organic Carbon Status, Rice Crop Productivity, and Sustainability in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System of Eastern China

Soil management practices are used to enhance soil organic carbon, fertility, and crop productivity around the world. However, accurate information about the appropriate amount of straw incorporation is not available, because it is generally believed that at least 30% of the soil surface should be covered by straw, which is not implemented in all field environments. Therefore, a two-year (2016–2017) field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different percentages of straw incorporation and tillage methods, i.e., reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT), on crop yield, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and soil carbon storage (SCS) in rice–wheat cropping systems, under eight treatments. The experimental results showed that the greatest reduction in soil dry bulk density ( ρ b ) was found under CT with 100% straw coverage (9.79%), whereas the least reduction occurred under CT with no straw (1.31%). The mean TN concentration, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil carbon storage (SCS) were significantly higher by 0.98 g/kg, 17.07%, and 14.20%, respectively, under reduced tillage with 60% straw incorporation (RTsi60) compared with all other treatments. Our findings demonstrate that the incorporated wheat residues resulted in the highest rice production (7.95–8.63 t/ha) under RTsi60. We recommend the adoption of reduced tillage with 60% straw incorporation to increase rice yield, improve soil structure, and enhance TN, SOM, and SCS in paddy soil under rice-wheat rotation fields for agricultural sustainability.
Impact of Corporate Cultural Diversity on International Strategy

This paper addresses the issue of how three cultural factors i.e. cultural distance between countries, focal firm's prior experience in host country culture, and firm-level cultural diversity affect firm's choice of international strategic combination mode between M&A and joint ventures. Rooted in organizational learning approach to internationalization, our model specifies fimrlevel cultural diversity as a key determinant of mode choice. Empirical support was found in a sample of U.S. firms.
Childhood Malnutrition: Toward an Understanding of Infections, Inflammation, and Antimicrobials

Background Undernutrition in childhood is estimated to cause 3.1 million child deaths annually through a potentiating effect on common infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and diarrhea. In turn, overt and subclinical infections, and inflammation, especially in the gut, alter nutrient intake, absorption, secretion, diversion, catabolism, and expenditure. Objective A narrative overview of the current understanding of infections, inflammation, and antimicrobials in relation to childhood malnutrition. Methods Searches for pivotal papers were conducted using PUBMED 1966–January 2013; hand searches of the references of retrieved literature; discussions with experts; and personal experience from the field. Results Although the epidemiological evidence for increased susceptibility to life-threatening infections associated with malnutrition is strong, we are only just beginning to understand some of the mechanisms involved. Nutritional status and growth are strongly influenced by environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), which is common among children in developing countries, and by alterations in the gut microbiome. As yet, there are no proven interventions against EED. Antibiotics have long been used as growth promoters in animals. Trials of antibiotics have shown striking efficacy on mortality and on growth in children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) or HIV infection. Antibiotics act directly by preventing infections and may act indirectly by reducing subclinical infections and inflammation. We describe an ongoing multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of daily cotrimoxazole prophylaxis to prevent death in children recovering from complicated SAM. Secondary outcomes include growth, frequency and etiology of infections, immune activation and function, the gut microbiome, and antimicrobial resistance. The trial is expected to be reported in mid-2014. Conclusions As well as improving nutritional intake, new case management strategies need to address infection, inflammation, and microbiota and assess health outcomes rather than only anthropometry.
Expression of transfected vimentin genes in differentiating murine erythroleukemia cells reveals divergent cis-acting regulation of avian and mammalian vimentin sequences

We studied the expression of transfected chicken and hamster vimentin genes in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. MEL cells normally repress the levels of endogenous mouse vimentin mRNA during inducermediated differentiation, resulting in a subsequent loss of vimentin filaments. Expression of vimentin in differentiating MEL cells reflects the disappearance of vimentin filaments during mammalian erythropoiesis in vivo. In contrast, chicken erythroid cells express high levels of vimentin mRNA and vimentin filaments during terminal differentiation. We demonstrate here that chicken vimentin mRNA levels increase significantly in differentiating transfected MEL cells, whereas similarly transfected hamster vimentin genes are negatively regulated. In conjunction with in vitro nuclear run-on transcription experiments, these results suggest that the difference in vimentin expression in avian and mammalian erythropoiesis is due to a divergence of cis-linked vimentin sequences that are responsible for transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of vimentin gene expression. Transfected chicken vimentin genes produce functional vimentin protein and stable vimentin filaments during MEL cell differentiation, further demonstrating that the accumulation of vimentin filaments is determined by the abundance of newly synthesized vimentin.
Acoustic analysis of tracheo-oesophageal versus oesophageal speech

Abstract In order to evaluate the vocal quality of tracheo-oesophageal and oesophageal speech, several objective acoustic parameters were measured in the acoustic waveform (fundamental frequency, waveform perturbation) and in the frequency spectrum (harmonic prominence, spectral slope). Twelve patients using tracheo-oesophageal speech (with the Provox® valve) and 12 patients using oesophageal speech for at least two months, participated. The main results were that tracheo-oesophageal voices more often showed a detectable fundamental frequency, and that this fundamental frequency was fairly stable; there was also a tendency to more clearly defined harmonics in tracheo-oesophageal speech. This suggests a more regular vibratory pattern in the pharyngo-oesophageal segment, due to the more efficient respiratory drive in tracheo-oesophageal speech. So, a better quality of the voice can be expected, in addition to the longer phonation time and higher maximal intensity.
Abacavir versus zidovudine combined with lamivudine and efavirenz, for the treatment of antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected adults.

BACKGROUND Zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz comprise a highly effective and well-tolerated triple regimen for antiretroviral-naive patients. Evaluating other unique nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) combinations for long-term viral suppression is desirable. METHODS This multicenter, randomized, double-blind noninferiority clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of abacavir with that of zidovudine plus lamivudine and efavirenz in 649 antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients. The primary objective was a comparison of proportions of patients achieving plasma HIV-1 RNA levels <or=50 copies/mL through week 48 of the study. RESULTS At study week 48, 70% of patients in the abacavir group, compared with 69% in the zidovudine group, maintained confirmed plasma HIV-1 RNA levels of <or=50 copies/mL (in the intent-to-treat exposed population). Virologic failure was infrequent (6% in the abacavir group and 4% in the zidovudine group). There was a significant CD4(+) cell response (209 cells/mm(3) in the abacavir group and 155 cells/mm(3) in the zidovudine group). Safety profiles were as expected. CONCLUSION Abacavir provided an effective and durable antiretroviral response that was noninferior to zidovudine, when combined with lamivudine and efavirenz.
Guard Cell Starch Biosynthesis Regulated by Effectors of ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase.

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the regulated step of starch bioynthesis in mesophyll chloroplasts. This enzyme is activated by a high ratio of the concentrations of 3-P-glycerate to inorganic phosphate (Pi) in light. In contrast, starch in guard cell chloroplasts is degraded when stomata open, which usually occurs in light. We have investigated the biochemical causes for this contrasting phenomenon.Vicia faba L. leaflets were sampled in darkness and after various periods of illumination. The samples were quick-frozen and freeze-dried. Guard cells and other cells were dissected out, weighed, and assayed for ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase activity, 3-P-glycerate, and Pi. In the pyrophosphorolytic direction, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase specific activity in guard cells was 2.7 moles per kilogram protein per hour, which was comparable to the values obtained for palisade and spongy cells. The specific activity in epidermal cells was 4-fold lower. Under our assay conditions, the guard cell enzyme activity was 5-fold higher in the presence of 3-P-glycerate and 5-fold lower with Pi (i.e. similar to the results obtained with extracts of fresh leaflet). During three minutes of illumination, 3-P-glycerate concentration in palisade cells increased 2.5-fold to 10 millimoles per kilogram dry mass. The concentration of 3-P-glycerate in guard cells was 20-fold lower and unaffected by illumination. The concentration of Pi was approximately 17 millimoles per kilogram dry mass in palisade cells, but was 10-fold higher in guard cells. These overall cellular Pi concentrations were unaffected by illumination. We conclude that starch biosynthesis in guard cells is not activated by light because of the low and constant 3-P-glycerate concentration there. We interpret this last to be a consequence of the absence of the photosynthetic carbon reduction pathway in chloroplasts of these cells.
Risk stratification and outcomes in hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a prospective, multicentre, cohort study with three months of follow‐up

Summary. Background: The role of risk stratification in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is still unclear. Objectives: We evaluated, in these patients, the usefulness of six prognostic markers for predicting in‐hospital adverse events related to PE and 3‐month mortality. Patients/Methods: Two hundred and one consecutive patients with confirmed acute PE and normal blood pressure, who were administered conventional anticoagulation, were recruited in a multicentre prospective cohort study with 3 months of follow‐up. At baseline, they received a comprehensive risk‐evaluation including echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular dysfunction, determination of troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide and D‐dimer, arterial blood gas analysis and a clinical score. Primary outcome of the study was PE‐related in‐hospital death or clinical deterioration. Secondary outcomes were in‐hospital and 3‐month all‐cause mortality. Results: The primary outcome occurred in one patient (0.5%), who died from PE during hospitalization. The in‐hospital and 3‐month all‐cause mortality were 2% and 9%, respectively. None of the prognostic markers was predictive of the primary outcome. Clinical score, troponin I and hypoxemia predicted in‐hospital all‐cause mortality (P = 0.02, 0.01 and < 0.01, respectively). Clinical score (HR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.9–12.0), D‐dimer (4.8; 1.4–16.3), hypoxemia (5.7; 2.1–15.1) and troponin I (7.5; 2.5–22.7) were predictors of 3‐month all‐cause mortality on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis clinical score and troponin I remained independently predictive. Conclusions: We did not find prognostic markers useful as predictors of in‐hospital PE‐related adverse events. Clinical score, troponin I and hypoxemia predicted in‐hospital all‐cause mortality. Clinical score and troponin I independently predicted 3‐month all‐cause mortality.
Postnatal Administration of Dexamethasone for Weaning off the Ventilator Affects Thyroid Function

Background: Very preterm neonates are at risk of hypothyroxinemia because of prematurity as well as because of neonatal disease. Hypothyroxinemia is associated with impaired developmental outcome. Preterm infants who cannot be weaned from the ventilator can be treated with dexamethasone. Glucocorticoid administration has been found to alter thyroid hormone parameters. Therefore, dexamethasone treatment in these infants might additionally impair their thyroid function, which could have consequences for developmental outcome. Objective: To assess what changes in thyroid function occur in the first hours after initiating dexamethasone treatment in ventilated preterm infants. Methods: Preterm infants, in whom the decision was taken to start dexamethasone treatment, were included. Thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), reverse T3 (rT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and cortisol were determined before and 6–9 h after administration of the first dose of a postnatal dexamethasone course. Details of clinical condition were recorded at both time points. Results: Sixteen very preterm infants were included at a median age of 20 days. While clinical condition was stable between start of dexamethasone and 6–9 h thereafter, TSH and T3 levels decreased significantly. rT3 levels significantly increased, resulting in a decrease in the T3/rT3 ratio. There was no statistically significant effect on the levels of T4. Conclusion: Postnatal dexamethasone administration negatively affects thyroid functionin the preterm infant with severe chronic lung disease.