Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rescuing the Golden Age of Antibiotics: Can Economics Help Avert the Looming Crisis?

Countries world wide face an imminent global health crisis. As resistant bacteria render the current stock of antibiotics ineffective and the pipeline of back-up drugs runs dry, pharmaceutical companies are abandoning their research in antibiotics. In this paper we ask: Why are pharmaceutical companies closing antibiotic research labs when the stakes are so high? Implementing a simple dynamic framework, we show that the environment for new antibiotics is relatively hostile, compared to other medicines, due to market failures that result in excessive use and acceleration of natural selection. The analysis reveals, however, that increased competition between drugs can actually slow down the rate of resistance without, in some cases, diluting research incentives. Bolstered by scientific evidence, this result arises from a fundamental interplay between economic and biological externalities. We propose a patent-antitrust regime for achieving efficient drugrnresearch and usage that calls for a revised justification of the patent system.rn
Bi-frequency-based microwave liquid sensor for multiple solutes quantification in aqueous solution

This paper presents a technique able to detect and quantify two different solutes in aqueous solution thanks to a single shot microwave measurements of a resonant liquid sensor at two different frequencies. The principle of operation is based on isosbestic characteristics of the sensor relatively to the two considered solutes. The solutes quantification requires a calibration phase. Extracted concentration from measurements leads to root mean square error (RMSE) of only few g/L of solute (3.2 g/L for glucose and 1.7 g/L for sodium chloride). The technique then reveals the potential richness of the spectral signatures from microwave sensor for indentifying and quantifying complex liquids.
Association of genetic variants in alcohol dehydrogenase 4 with alcohol dependence in Brazilian patients.

OBJECTIVE The authors evaluated the association of three functional promoter polymorphisms of the ADH4 gene with alcohol dependence. METHOD DNA from 92 alcohol-dependent patients and 92 healthy comparison subjects was genotyped for all three polymorphisms. RESULTS Variants at the -75 base-pair (bp) (C allele) and -159 bp (A allele) positions were associated with alcohol dependence. Individuals with haplotypes carrying both risk alleles showed an odds ratio of 2.9. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that ADH4 may play a role in the etiology of alcohol dependence. The association requires further study and replication but is functionally plausible and has a large effect size.
Study on the effect of urinary kallidinogenase after thrombolytic treatment for acute cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of urinary kallidinogenase for recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) intravenous thrombolytic treatment in patients with acute cerebral infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS All 200 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomized 1:1 into an experimental group (100 cases) and a control group (100 cases). Patients in the control group were administrated rt-PA (0/9 mg/kg) while patients in the experimental group were given urinary kallidinogenase by intravenous drip (0.15 PNAU/d, for 7 days) after rt-PA intravenous thrombolytic treatment (0.9 mg/kg). The main evaluation index was NIHSS and BI. RESULTS Compared to the control group, the NIHSS scores were significantly lower 7 and 90 days after thrombolytic therapy (t = 2.391, 2.714; p < 0.05). BI scores were obviously higher at 90 days after thrombolytic therapy in the experimental group (t = 2.675, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Urinary kallidinogenase may improve the treatment effect for rt-PA intravenous thrombolytic treatment in patients with acute cerebral infraction.
Does Race Still Matter?: A Post Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Era Examination of Student Athletes' Experiences at a Division I Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and Predominantly White Institution (PWI)

Downloaded from http://csri-jiia.org ©2015 College Sport Research Institute. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use or unauthorized distribution. Does Race Still Matter? : A Post Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Era Examination of Student Athletes’ Experiences at a Division I Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and Predominantly White Institution (PWI) __________________________________________________________
Markers of preclinical vascular disease and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with HIV infection.

BACKGROUND HIV infected patients have an increased cardiovascular risk that may be linked not only to the infection itself but also to the metabolic side effects of the antiretroviral therapy. AIM The aim of our study was to determine markers of aortic arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and parameters of left ventricular diastolic function and to establish the relationship between these vascular and cardiac parameters in HIV infected patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD In this cross sectional case control study 43 patients with HIV infection and 25 healthy controls, matched for age and sex were enrolled. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) using an oscillometric method were measured. Carotid IMT and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function were determined by ultrasonography. Clinical status, laboratory parameters (glucose and lipid metabolism), and markers of disease activity were also recorded. RESULTS In patients with HIV infection PWV was increased when compared to controls (p=0.02), but there were not significant differences in carotid IMT (p= 0.17). There were no differences for classical risk factors between HIV infected patients and controls with the exception of triglycerides level (p<0.001). HIV infected patients had a significant reduction in E/A ratio when compared to controls (p= 0.03). Significant differences were found for age (p=0.001), PWV (0.002) and carotid IMT (p=0.02) between patients with and without left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). In multiple regression analyze only PWV remained correlated with LVDD (OR = 2.90, 95%CI: 1.41-5.97, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS In patients with HIV infection, without overt cardiovascular disease, arterial stiffness was increased. This finding is correlated with markers of LVDD. Increased arterial stiffness may be one of the mechanisms implicated in the alteration of left ventricular diastolic function in HIV infected patients.
Association between Folate Levels and CpG Island Hypermethylation in Normal Colorectal Mucosa

Gene-specific promoter methylation of several genes occurs in aging normal tissues and may predispose to tumorigenesis. In the present study, we investigate the association of blood folate levels and dietary and lifestyle factors with CpG island (CGI) methylation in normal colorectal mucosa. Subjects were enrolled in a multicenter chemoprevention trial of aspirin or folic acid for the prevention of large bowel adenomas. We collected 1,000 biopsy specimens from 389 patients, 501 samples from the right colon and 499 from the rectum at the follow-up colonoscopy. We measured DNA methylation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and secreted frizzled related protein-1 (SFRP1), using bisulfite pyrosequencing. We used generalized estimating equations regression analysis to examine the association between methylation and selected variables. For both ERα and SFRP1, percentage methylation was significantly higher in the rectum than in the right colon (P = 0.001). For each 10 years of age, we observed a 1.7% increase in methylation level for ERα and a 2.9% increase for SFRP1 (P < 0.0001). African Americans had a significantly lower level of ERα and SFRP1 methylation than Caucasians and Hispanics. Higher RBC folate levels were associated with higher levels of both ERα (P = 0.03) and SFRP1 methylation (P = 0.01). Our results suggest that CGI methylation in normal colorectal mucosa is related to advancing age, race, rectal location, and RBC folate levels. These data have important implications regarding the safety of supplementary folate administration in healthy adults, given the hypothesis that methylation in normal mucosa may predispose to colorectal neoplasia. Cancer Prev Res; 3(12); 1552–64. ©2010 AACR.
Contemporaneous ADR pricing: intraday dynamics during overlapping trading hours

ABSTRACT We contribute to the literature by identifying and accurately measuring the drivers of American depositary receipt (ADR) returns contemporaneously across various global time zones. We consider ADRs as two inherently distinct asset classes – stocks and currencies – bundled into one. Throughout, we use a relatively refined, focused, and synchronized minute-by-minute data set on ADRs and all other variables. ADRs from all countries with regular trading hours that overlap with those of the US are considered individually and in clusters. We analyze the interplay of several factors that influence ADRs pricing patterns. Further, we investigate whether such patterns vary by currency, ADR, industry, and emerging/developed market classifications. Our findings indicate that synchronized returns on underlying shares comprise 68.5–74% of the explained returns in ADRs. The remaining 31.5–26% of returns are generated by movements in currency rates. These results are robust across the several models and estimation methods employed. Our findings also show persistent small price discrepancies between ADRs and dollar-adjusted underlying shares on a minute-by-minute basis, implying possible arbitrage opportunities. However, we conclude that trading and ADR conversion costs render such opportunities unattractive.
Assessing Fiscal Sustainability in Algeria: a Nonlinear Approach

The main objective of this study is to examine the sustainability of fiscal policy using a nonlinear model approach and a smooth transition autoregressive model (STAR), based on quarterly data ranging from 1964 Q4 to 2012 Q4 on the Algerian budget balance as a percentage of GDP. The results clearly show the existence of threshold effects in the Algerian budget deficit (nonlinear behavior and shift in fiscal policy regime) in the form of a Logistic model (LSTR) containing 2 regimes with one threshold, and depending on the third lag in oil price. Thus, the results support the active deficit and debt management hypothesis, when there is a deviation of the deficit ratio from its equilibrium. Moreover, government authorities intervene by cutting deficits and worsening debt only when they have reached a certain threshold (US $ 83.53 per barrel). On the other hand, nonlinear unit root tests accept the null hypothesis of the unit roots and reject the alternative hypothesis for the stationarity of the STAR nonlinear model. This means that the time series of budget balance is not stationary (not mean reverting characteristic), and therefore cannot sustain the budget deficit in Algeria over the long term. However, the effect of a shock with the same magnitude, but with different sign, will have the same effect on the speed of adjustment towards equilibrium. Moreover, the break dates coincides with the beginning of the sharp rise or a drop in oil prices, which confirms the results of the selection of transition variables in the nonlinear model.
The characterization of the Phlebotomus papatasi transcriptome

As important vectors of human disease, phlebotomine sand flies are of global significance to human health, transmitting several emerging and re‐emerging infectious diseases. The most devastating of the sand fly transmitted infections are the leishmaniases, causing significant mortality and morbidity in both the Old and New World. Here we present the first global transcriptome analysis of the Old World vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) and compare this transcriptome to that of the New World vector of visceral leishmaniasis, Lutzomyia longipalpis. A normalized cDNA library was constructed using pooled mRNA from Phlebotomus papatasi larvae, pupae, adult males and females fed sugar, blood, or blood infected with Leishmania major. A total of 47 615 generated sequences was cleaned and assembled into 17 120 unique transcripts. Of the assembled sequences, 50% (8837 sequences) were classified using Gene Ontology (GO) terms. This collection of transcripts is comprehensive, as demonstrated by the high number of different GO categories. An in‐depth analysis revealed 245 sequences with putative homology to proteins involved in blood and sugar digestion, immune response and peritrophic matrix formation. Twelve of the novel genes, including one trypsin, two peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRP) and nine chymotrypsins, have a higher expression level during larval stages. Two novel chymotrypsins and one novel PGRP are abundantly expressed upon blood feeding. This study will greatly improve the available genomic resources for P. papatasi and will provide essential information for annotation of the full genome.
Molecular evidence revealed Lepus hainanus and L. peguensis have a conspecific relationship

Abstract Accurate species delimitation in Lepus was often hindered by highly conserved morphology and frequent introgression. In this study, we used rigorous molecular species delimitation methods to evaluate the taxonomic status of Hainan hare (Lepus hainanus) which has been traditionally identified as a distinct species, or a subspecies of Burmese hare (L. peguensis). The genetic distance and phylogenetic network support L. hainanus and L. peguensis are conspecific. However, the phylogenetic species concept and Bayesian species delimitation analysis based on combined mtDNA supported they are different species. The discordance between different methods can be explained by different species criterion. By taking into account our conflict results, we hold the opinion that adoption of the phylogenetic species concept and Bayesian species delimitation analysis would increase the risk of taxonomic inflation of island biota or otherwise spatially isolated population. Conservatively, we suggest that L. hainanus and L. peguensis are conspecific based on the results of our genetic divergence and phylogenetic network exclusively.
Factors in childhood as predictors of asthma in adult life

Abstract Objective: To determine which factors measured in childhood predict asthma in adult life. Design: Prospective study over 25 years of a birth cohort initially studied at the age of 7. Setting: Tasmania, Australia. Subjects—1494 men and women surveyed in 1991-3 when aged 29 to 32 (75% of a random stratified sample from the 1968 Tasmanian asthma survey of children born in 1961 and at school in Tasmania). Main outcome measures: Self reported asthma or wheezy breathing in the previous 12 months (current asthma). Results: Of the subjects with asthma or wheezy breathing by the age of 7, as reported by their parents 25.6% (190/741) reported current asthma as an adult compared with 10.8% (81/753) of subjects without parent reported childhood asthma (P<0.001). Factors measured at the age of 7 that independently predicted current asthma as an adult were being female (odds ratio 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 2.08); having a history of eczema (1.45; 1.04 to 2.03); having a low mild forced expiratory flow rate (interquartile odds ratio 1.40; 1.15 to 1.71); having a mother or father with a history of asthma (1.74 (1.23 to 2.47) and 1.68 (1.18 to 2.38) respectively); and having childhood asthma (1.59; 1.10 to 2.29) and, if so, having the first attack after the age of 2 (1.66; 1.17 to 2.36) or having had more than 10 attacks (1.70; 1.17 to 2.48). Conclusion—Children with asthma reported by their parents in 1968 were more likely than not to be free of symptoms as adults. The subjects who had more severe asthma (especially if it developed after the age of 2 and was associated with reduced expiratory flow), were female, or had parents who had asthma were at an increased risk of having asthma as an adult. These findings have implications for the treatment and prognosis of childhood asthma, targeting preventive and educational strategies, and understanding the onset of asthma in adult life.
Achalasia of the Cardia: Reflections upon a Clinical Study of Over 100 Cases

Adams et al. (1961) have stated that the four cardinal changes that typify achalasia are (1) a failure of the cardia to relax, (2) the disappearance of normal oesophageal peristalsis and its replacement by segmental and tertiary contractions, (3) dilatation and hypertrophy of the oesophagus above the cardia, and (4) an increased sensitivity of the oesophagus to cholinergic drugs. They believe that these changes are due to degeneration or absence of the ganglion cells in Meissner's and Auerbach's plexuses. And the cause of these neurological faults is unknown. There are other conditions in which peristalsis disappears from the oesophagus; but these are generally due to changes in the muscle coats-for example, dermatomyositis-and not to nerve palsies. Achalasia of the cardia has also been compared to Hirschsprung's disease in the rectum, and to Chagas's disease (Brazilian trypanosomiasis) in so far as the latter affects the gullet and the large bowel. These comparisons have not advanced knowledge about achalasia. In achalasia peristalsis has disappeared by the time the patient consults a doctor: there is no definite prodromal phase of partial paralysis or hypermotility of the gullet. But after peristalsis has gone, uncoordinated muscle movements persist, and these may become accentuated, especially if the gullet has been efficiently drained by operation. If one is correct in assuming that achalasia of the cardia is due to an absence or a degeneration of the ganglion cells in Meissner's and Auerbach's plexuses it follows that the disease is physiologically incurable. This does not mean that nothing effective can be done to relieve the symptoms. I shall mention a few relevant recent advances in the study of achalasia. The pharmacological studies of Adams et al. (1961) confirmed a number of points that had previously been suspected. They proved that there is a disturbance in the innervation of the whole oesophagus (a point guessed at by Einhorn in 1888) and that ganglion cells are completely absent in the " sac "-that is, the dilated part-and almost completely absent in the " neck "that is, the narrow segment of the gullet. This also confirmed the work of Lendrum (1937); and it is sufficient explanation for the pathological changes, the signs, the symptoms, and the clinical course of the disease. Important facts have come to light as a result of the intraoesophageal pressure recordings and motility studies made by many investigators (notably Code and his associates (Anderson et al., 1958) at the Mayo Clinic). These are that true peristalsis can be differentiated from " uncoordinated " oesophageal movements; that the latter do not pass food onwards through the gullet; that they generally persist after peristalsis has disappeared and may be accentuated because, in the absence of peristalsis, they are more evident radiologically. Uncoordinated
A New Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Approach Demonstrates That the Histone Variant H2AZ Stabilizes the Histone Octamer within the Nucleosome*

Nucleosomes are highly dynamic macromolecular complexes that are assembled and disassembled in a modular fashion. One important way in which this dynamic process can be modulated is by the replacement of major histones with their variants, thereby affecting nucleosome structure and function. Here we use fluorescence resonance energy transfer between fluorophores attached to various defined locations within the nucleosome to dissect and compare the structural transitions of a H2A.Z containing and a canonical nucleosome in response to increasing ionic strength. We show that the peripheral regions of the DNA dissociate from the surface of the histone octamer at relatively low ionic strength, under conditions where the dimer-tetramer interaction remains unaffected. At around 550 mm NaCl, the (H2A-H2B) dimer dissociates from the (H3-H4)2 tetramer-DNA complex. Significantly, this latter transition is stabilized in nucleosomes that have been reconstituted with the essential histone variant H2A.Z. Our studies firmly establish fluorescence resonance energy transfer as a valid method to study nucleosome stability, and shed new light on the biological function of H2A.Z.
The role of the calmodulin‐dependent pathway in static magnetic field‐induced mechanotransduction

While the effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on osteoblastic differentiation are well demonstrated, the mechanotransduction pathways of SMFs are still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of calmodulin in the biophysical effects of SMFs on osteoblastic cells. MG63 cells were exposed to a 0.4 T SMF. The expression of phosphodiesterase RNA in the cytoplasm was tested using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The differentiation of the cells was assessed by detecting changes in alkaline phosphatase activity. The role of calmodulin antagonist W‐7 was used to evaluate alterations in osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation after the SMF simulations. Our results showed that SMF exposure increased alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphodiesterase 1C gene expression in MG63 cells. Addition of W‐7 significantly inhibited the SMF‐induced cellular response. We suggest that one possible mechanism by which SMFs affects osteoblastic maturation is through a calmodulin‐dependent mechanotransduction pathway. Bioelectromagnetics 31:255–261, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insect Infestation of Stored Oats in Florida and Field Evaluation of a Device for Counting Insects Electronically

Abstract Automated methods of monitoring stored grain for insect pests will contribute to early detection and aid in management of pest problems. An insect population infesting stored oats at a seed processing plant in north-central Florida was studied to test a device for counting insects electronically (Electronic Grain Probe Insect Counter, EGPIC), and to characterize the storage environment. The device counts insects as they fall through an infrared beam incorporated into a modified grain probe (pitfall) trap and transmits the counts to a computer for accumulation and storage. Eight traps were inserted into the surface of the grain bulk, and the insects trapped were identified and counted manually at weekly intervals. Grain temperature and moisture content also were recorded for each trap location. Manual and automatic counts were compared to estimate error in the EGPIC system. Both over- and undercounting occurred, and errors ranged from −79.4 to 82.4%. The mean absolute value of error (±SE) was 31.7% (±4.3). At least 31 species, or higher taxa, were detected, but the psocid Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein) and the foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl), accounted for 88% of the captured insects. Species diversity, phenology, and spatial distribution are presented, as well as temporal and spatial distribution of grain temperature and moisture content. The data sets generated will find application in population modeling and development of integrated pest management systems for stored grain.