Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Peritoneal Equilibration Test in Children on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is routinely performed in adults treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis to assess the peritoneal transport rate and to optimize treatment prescription. Only a few and not well-standardized studies on the PET have been reported in children. Twenty-six PETs were performed In 16 children, mean age 10.9±4.9 years, mean body weight (BW) 26.8±11.9 kg, treated with nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD). The PET was performed according to Twardowski. Forty mL/kg BW of 2.27% glucose solution were Infused at a rate of 10 mL/kg BW every 2 minutes. In the simplified test, dialysate samples were taken at dwell times 0, 2 and 4 hours for glucose and creatinine. A blood sample was taken after a 2-hour dwell time for the same parameters. The standard PET (8 patients) consisted of dialysate samples at 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes and blood samples at 0 and 240 minutes. Mean DIP ratio for corrected creatinine and DIDo ratio for glucose at 2 hours were 51.6±11.6 and 50.4±9, respectively; at 4 hours 69.6± 12 and 34.4±9.8, respectively. There was good correlation between DIP creatinine and DIDo glucose at 4 hours (p<0.0001). Patients were classified as high (3 cases), high-average (5), low-average (6), and low (2) transporters. A statistically significant difference was found between the curves obtained by the simplified PET and those of the standard PET In the first hour (r=0.66; p<0.05). In conclusion, the PET, modified for use in children, gave reliable and reproducible results. Mean values of DIP creatinine for children were higher and DIDo glucose lower than those of adults as reported by Twardowskl. A consistent percentage of children had, nevertheless, a low-average or low transport rate. Standard PET is required in case of automated peritoneal dialysis prescription.
Politics does not stop at the ‘nuclear edge’: neoclassical realism and the making of China’s military doctrine

The article tries to explain why China, after having launched a crash programme in the mid-1950s to develop a nuclear deterrent, did not formulate a clear operational doctrine with respect to the targeting and employment of atomic weapons until the mid-1980s. Propositions derived from neoclassical realism are used to shed some light on this puzzling aspect of China’s nuclear doctrine. The general hypothesis of the study is that, international predicaments notwithstanding, China’s domestic politics prevented the possibility of articulating a clear and detailed nuclear doctrine during the period following the first nuclear test, when such a doctrine was more necessary.
Cell surface antigens of human bladder cancer defined by mouse monoclonal antibodies.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies were obtained by immunization with cultured human bladder cancer or lysates of bladder papilloma. They identify 11 distinct antigenic systems as defined by serological analysis of cultured cells and studies of antigen distribution in normal and neoplastic tissues. The most restricted of these antigens, Om5, defines a subset of bladder tumors. Om5 is not detected in normal bladder urothelium or in any other normal or malignant tissue. T101 and JP165 are also subset markers for bladder cancer that are not detected in normal tissues. T16, T43, T87, and J143 (antigens represented on many cultured cells) are found in specific areas of the normal urinary tract and in a distinctive range of other normal and malignant cell types--e.g., T16 expression in pluristratified epithelium of skin, exocervix, and esophagus. T138 antigen is also a common feature of cultured cell lines, but its expression in sections of normal tissues is restricted to endothelial cells. In contrast, T110 is poorly represented on cultured cells but can be detected in culture supernatants. Localization of T110 in normal tissues showed that it is a component of the extracellular matrix. All determinants detected by this series of antibodies are heat labile and not related to A, B, H, I, Lewis blood group antigens. Six of the antibodies immunoprecipitated glycoproteins from radiolabeled cell lysates: AbT16 (Mrs 48,000 and 42,000), AbT87 (Mr 60,000), AbT43 (Mr 85,000), AbJ143 (Mr 140,000, 120,000, 60,000), AbT43 (Mr 85,000), AbJ143 (Mr 140,000, 120,000, and 30,000), and AbT110 (Mr 240,000).
Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus in Langerhans Cells in Sylvilagus spp.

A wildlife sanctuary presented an adult female cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.), age unknown, to the Colorado State University Pathology service for postmortem examination. Gross examination revealed numerous pigmented wartlike lesions arising from the skin of the head surrounding the ears, eyes, nares, mouth, and dorsum. Masses were firm, friable, and easily detached from the underlying skin. Differential diagnoses included Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, Rabbit fibroma virus, and Myxoma virus. Histological examination revealed multiple papillary masses lined by stratified squamous epithelial cells with central cores of fibrovascular connective tissue and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis. Cells of the Stratum spinosum were frequently swollen with abundant perinuclear, cytoplasmic, clearing, and occasional intranuclear basophilic, glassy, spherical inclusions up to 3 μm in diameter. The lesions were consistent with Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus infection. Papilloma virus antigens were identified by immunohistochemistry. In addition, papillomavirus particles were identified by transmission electron microscopy within Langerhans cells of the epidermis, suggesting a unique mechanism for systemic dissemination of the virus. The present case report highlights the finding of viral particles within the Langerhans cells and suggests a novel mechanism of pathogenesis.
Inclusive HRM and Employment Security for Disabled People: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Many countries struggle with non-participation of vulnerable groups. Countries give priority to Active Labour Market Policies (ALMP) to help unemployed and disabled people get back to work, preferably in regular employment. In recent years, some innovative policies have tried to involve employers. There seems to be a paradox between desired social policy outcomes, such as getting people out of social security into regular jobs, and preferred Strategic HRM outcomes, such as being a highly productive, cost-efficient and flexible organisation. The explanation and solution for this social issue- integration of disabled people – can thus not solely be found in the Social Policy literature, as strategic employer behaviour ultimately decides whether ALMP succeed. In this paper, we combine insights from Social Policy and HRM literature and discuss several factors that play a role in the process of (not) offering jobs to disabled people. We present a conceptual strategic inclusive HR model and conclude that different HR perspectives, focusing on economic rationality, wellbeing, social legitimacy, may lead to different hiring strategies. With this study the authors enrich the existing literature on hiring disabled by taking a multidisciplinary perspective and gathering qualitative data on this issue. These insights from HRM research have clear implications for policy interventions, which will be discussed.
Metformin inhibits StAR expression in human endometriotic stromal cells via AMPK-mediated disruption of CREB-CRTC2 complex formation.

CONTEXT Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease affecting reproductive women. Metformin could have a therapeutic effect on endometriosis through regulation of local estrogen production. OBJECTS The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanism by which metformin regulates StAR expression in human endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs). METHODS ESCs derived from ovarian endometriomas were cultured with metformin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). StAR mRNA was measured by quantitative PCR; pregnenolone, progesterone, and estrogen production were measured by ELISA kits; steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), AMP-activated protein kinase, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) protein expression were measured by Western blot assay; and CRTC2 translocation and its association with CREB were assessed by coimmunoprecipitation assay and CRTC2-CREB complex binding by a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS 1) StAR mRNA levels in ESCs are 264 times higher than those in endometrial cells. 2) Metformin downregulates the StAR mRNA expression (maximum 31.7%) stimulated by PGE2 (2.4-fold) in ESCs. 3) PGE2 induces CRTC2 translocation and enhances its association with CREB to form a transcription complex that binds to the StAR promoter region. 4) Metformin prevents the nuclear translocation of CRTC2 by increasing AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. This inhibits transcription of StAR by disrupting formation of the CREB-CRTC2 complex, involved in activation of the StAR promoter cAMP response element. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated a detailed mechanistic analysis of StAR expression regulated by metformin in ESCs. Our data highlight a role for CRTC2 in the mechanism by which metformin inhibits StAR expression.
Coronary flow reserve in dipper and non‐dipper hypertensive patients

Background. Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) normally during night‐time, which is called non‐dipping, in hypertensive individuals is associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, non‐dipping BP leads to structural changes in the left ventricle; however, the effect of non‐dipping BP on coronary flow reserve (CFR) has not been studied yet. Methods. In this study, we measured CFR of 22 subjects with non‐dipper hypertension, and 15 subjects with dipper hypertension using transthoracic second‐harmonic Doppler echocardiography (Acuson Sequoia C256®). None of the subjects had any systemic disease or coronary risk factor except hypertension. Results. Age, gender, body mass index, lipids and echocardiographic findings including left ventricular mass index were similar between the groups. Office BP recordings were similar between non‐dipper and dipper groups (147.9±6.1/93.9±4.3 vs 144.0±8.0/93.0±3.7). Daytime and 24‐h ambulatory BP measurements were similar within the groups, but night‐time BPs were significantly greater in non‐dipper group than those were in dipper group. Left ventricular diastolic and systolic functions, and both baseline and hyperemic peak diastolic coronary velocity as well as CFR, were similar between the non‐dipper and dipper groups (CFR: 2.47±0.59 vs 2.39±0.47). Conclusion. CFR were similar in patients with non‐dipper and dipper hypertension in the absence of excessive left ventricular hypertrophy and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Development of daytime somnolence over time in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract—The authors examined the development over time of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients with PD by evaluating EDS among 142 patients in 1993 and 4 years later. Eleven patients were diagnosed with EDS in 1993. In all of these patients, EDS persisted 4 years later. During follow-up, 30 new patients had EDS (6% new patients per year). In 1997, 29% of the patients with PD had EDS. The development of EDS correlated with more advanced disease and dementia.
Association study of personality factors and the Asn40Asp polymorphism at the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1)

Introduction This study examined whether a functional polymorphism (A118G) in the gene encoding the μ-opioid receptor protein, which causes an Asn40Asp substitution in the receptor's extracellular domain, is associated with personality factors, as defined by the Five-Factor Model of Personality. Methods Healthy subjects (n=446) and substance-dependent subjects (n=335) underwent a diagnostic interview, completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and provided a blood sample for genotyping. Controlling for demographic features and substance dependence diagnosis, analyses examined the allelic association of Asn40Asp with the five personality dimensions. Results There was no evidence for allelic association with any of the five personality dimensions. Conclusion These findings fail to support the hypothesis that Asn40Asp alleles moderate the development of personality dimensions, as measured by the Five-Factor Model.
Basal insulin peglispro: Overview of a novel long‐acting insulin with reduced peripheral effect resulting in a hepato‐preferential action

Basal insulin peglispro (BIL) is a novel basal insulin with a flat, prolonged activity profile. BIL has been demonstrated in a dog model, in healthy men and in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to have significant hepato‐preferential action resulting from reduced peripheral activity. In the IMAGINE‐Phase 3 clinical trial program, more than 6000 patients were included, of whom ~3900 received BIL. Of the 7 pivotal IMAGINE trials, 3 studies were double‐blinded and 3 were in T1D patients. BIL consistently demonstrated a greater HbA1c reduction, less glycaemic variability and a clinically relevant reduction in the rates of nocturnal hypoglycaemia across comparator [glargine and isophane insulin (NPH)] studies. Trials using basal/bolus regimens had higher rates of total hypoglycaemia with BIL due to higher rates of daytime hypoglycaemia. Severe hypoglycaemia rates were similar to comparator among both patients with T1D or type 2 diabetes (T2D). T1D patients lost weight compared with glargine (GL). Patients with T2D tended to gain less weight with BIL than with glargine. Compared to glargine, BIL was associated with higher liver fat, triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, including a higher frequency of elevation of ALT ≥3 times the upper limit of normal, but without severe, acute drug‐induced liver injury. Injection site reactions, primarily lipohypertrophy, were more frequent with BIL. In conclusion, BIL demonstrated better glycaemic control with reduced glucose variability and nocturnal hypoglycaemia but higher triglycerides, ALT and liver fat relative to conventional comparator insulin. The hepato‐preferential action of BIL with reduced peripheral activity may account for these findings.
Detection of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis and its toxin in stool samples from adults and children in Italy.

Stool samples from children and adults with and without diarrhea were examined for the presence of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) and its enterotoxin. A cytotoxic assay with HT-29 cells followed by neutralization with a hyperimmune antiserum were used to detect B. fragilis enterotoxin. ETBF isolates were recovered from 12% of healthy children and 17% of children with diarrhea (P = .42) and from 15% of healthy adults and 9.4% of adults with diarrhea (P = .31). Fecal B. fragilis enterotoxin was detected in four children (two with diarrhea and two without diarrhea) and in four adults with diarrhea. This study shows that in Italy, the rate of ETBF carriage is high, regardless if diarrhea is present. In some instances, the presence of ETBF is associated with detectable levels of fecal enterotoxin, but the significance of this finding deserves further evaluation.
Evaluation of the anaesthetic effects of medetomidine and ketamine in rats and their reversal with atipamezole.

OBJECTIVES To compare the anaesthetic effects of varying doses of medetomidine (MED) combined with ketamine (KET) in rats, and to determine the efficacy of atipamezole (ATI) in the reversal of these effects using electroencephalogram (EEG) and assessment of clinical parameters. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized experimental trial. ANIMALS Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-398 g and aged 8-11 weeks old. METHODS Three groups received intraperitoneal injections of MED (0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mg kg(-1)) with KET (60 mg kg(-1)) (MED-200, MED-400 and MED-800). Atipamezole, at doses five times higher than the previous dose of MED, was then administered intraperitoneally 70 minutes after MED-KET injection. The EEG band powers and spectral edge frequencies (SEFs), respiratory rates, reflex scores to toe-web clamping and behavioural changes were measured. Correlations between EEG parameters and reflex scores were also evaluated. RESULTS The duration of surgical anaesthesia was directly proportional to the dose of MED. Lower frequency bands (delta 1 to alpha2) increased in all groups, and these changes were reversed by ATI. Minimal changes were observed in the higher frequency bands (beta1 to gamma), but their powers were increased by ATI. The SEFs were decreased in all groups, and they were reversed by ATI. While alpha1 band power and SEF95 showed strong correlations with the depth of anaesthesia, their changes appeared before the measured decreases in reflex score. Recovery from anaesthesia was extended by increasing the dose of MED. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Spectral EEG parameters may not accurately predict the depth of surgical anaesthesia because they had already changed during the induction of surgical anaesthesia. The ATI dose used in the present study may not be enough for complete reversal of anaesthesia induced by MED-KET.
Value-at-Risk for e-business Project and Portfolio Appraisal and Risk Management

This paper makes the case for adopting a risk measure from the finance sector for the evaluation of e- Business projects and portfolios. The proposed value-at-risk method constitutes a well-tested approach in high-risk environments, especially banking, and reports the expected maximum loss (or worst loss) over a target horizon within a given confidence interval. Value-at-risk is computed using either an analytical, parametric approach, or resorting to simulation, either based on historical samples or Monte Carlo methods. In this paper, both the use for evaluating single e-Business projects and also associated portfolios is discussed. Small examples are given and assessed to illustrate both applications. The main advantages of using value-at-risk measures are that they are methodologically consistent with modern IS evaluation approaches like real options, that they offer possibilities for management and assessment of project portfolios, and that the results are easy to interpret.
Analysis of Two Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthases in Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110

ABSTRACT Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 has five polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases (PhaC) annotated in its genome: bll4360 (phaC1), bll6073 (phaC2), blr3732 (phaC3), blr2885 (phaC4), and bll4548 (phaC5). All these proteins possess the catalytic triad and conserved amino acid residues of polyester synthases and are distributed into four different PhaC classes. We obtained mutants in each of these paralogs and analyzed phaC gene expression and PHA production in liquid cultures. Despite the genetic redundancy, only phaC1 and phaC2 were expressed at significant rates, while PHA accumulation in stationary-phase cultures was impaired only in the ΔphaC1 mutant. Meanwhile, the ΔphaC2 mutant produced more PHA than the wild type under this condition, and surprisingly, the phaC3 transcript increased in the ΔphaC2 background. A double mutant, the ΔphaC2 ΔphaC3 mutant, consistently accumulated less PHA than the ΔphaC2 mutant. PHA accumulation in nodule bacteroids followed a pattern similar to that seen in liquid cultures, being prevented in the ΔphaC1 mutant and increased in the ΔphaC2 mutant in relation to the level in the wild type. Therefore, we used these mutants, together with a ΔphaC1 ΔphaC2 double mutant, to study the B. japonicum PHA requirements for survival, competition for nodulation, and plant growth promotion. All mutants, as well as the wild type, survived for 60 days in a carbon-free medium, regardless of their initial PHA contents. When competing for nodulation against the wild type in a 1:1 proportion, the ΔphaC1 and ΔphaC1 ΔphaC2 mutants occupied only 13 to 15% of the nodules, while the ΔphaC2 mutant occupied 81%, suggesting that the PHA polymer is required for successful competitiveness. However, the bacteroid content of PHA did not affect the shoot dry weight accumulation.
Safety of Multi-Line Transmit beam forming for fast cardiac imaging - a simulation study

Achieving higher frame rate is a hot topic in cardiac ultrasound. An attractive way to accomplish this is through Multi-Line Transmit (MLT) beam forming. However, transmitting into multiple directions simultaneously may pose additional safety concerns due to acoustic superposition of the MLT beams. In this study, acoustic MLT fields were compared against conventional Single-Line Transmit fields. MLT beam forming showed more than a two-fold increase in peak-compressional acoustic pressure (from 1.8 MPa to 4.6 MPa) and in the mechanical index (MI) (from 1.0 to 2.2), as well as a six-fold increase in averaged intensity. As this might bring safety issues, two modifications of standard MLT beam forming were proposed: i) transmitting the MLT beams with different pulse phases; and ii) reorganising the delay lines of the MLT transmit event. Results showed a decrease in acoustic parameters in the near field using either modification, with the latter leading to peak pressures of 2.3 MPa and an MI of 1.2. In conclusion, straightforward implementation of MLT does bring additional hazard, but small modifications of the transmit beam forming can make it safe for clinical use.
Robotic vs. laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease: systematic review and meta‐analysis

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to compare clinical outcome following laparoscopic and robotic Nissen fundoplication. A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Primary outcome measures were the requirement for re‐operation, postoperative mortality and postoperative dysphagia. Secondary outcome measures were operative time, length of hospital stay, operative complications and cost. Six randomized trials, of 226 patients, were included in this meta‐analysis. There was no significant difference in requirement for re‐operation or in postoperative dysphagia. There was a significantly reduced total operative time in the laparoscopic group (weighted mean difference = 4.154; 95% CI = 1.932–6.375; p = 0.0002). There was no significant difference between robotic and laparoscopic groups for hospital stay or operative complications. Clinical results from robotic Nissen fundoplication were comparable to the standard laparoscopic approach, but there was associated increased operative time and procedure cost. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and characterization of survivin‐derived H‐2Kb‐restricted CTL epitopes

Survivin is overexpressed in several malignancies and in tumor‐associated endothelium making it an attractive target for therapeutic cytotoxic T‐cell responses. Thus, it would be important to test this notion in preclinical models. Consequently, we screened the murine survivin sequence for potential binding Kb‐restricted octamer peptide epitopes. Two epitopes, which bind strongly to Kb, were selected to test their immunogenicity in vivo. Spleen cells from mice vaccinated by intradermal injection of mature DC pulsed with these peptides displayed reactivity to the respective epitopes. The natural processing and presentation of these epitopes by tumor cells was evident by the killing of murine melanoma cells by vaccination‐induced T cells. Subcutaneous challenge with syngeneic melanoma demonstrated the protective immunity of this vaccination. Notably, analysis of the vessel density in subcutaneous tumors revealed that survivin‐specific vaccination significantly reduced the number of intratumoral vessels. In summary, we demonstrated the immunogenicity of two Kb‐restricted peptide epitopes derived from the murine survivin protein; moreover, survivin‐specific vaccination not only resulted in a reduction of tumor cells but also the tumor supplying blood vessels. The presented preclinical model for survivin‐directed vaccination may serve as a valuable tool to improve already running clinical trials in a syngeneic tumor model.