Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A review*

Objectives: The aims of this review are to summarize the definitions, causes, and clinical course as well as the current understanding of the genetic background, mechanism of disease, and therapy of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Data Sources: PubMed was searched using the terms toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug toxicity, drug interaction, and skin diseases. Data Synthesis: Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are acute inflammatory skin reactions. The onset is usually triggered by infections of the upper respiratory tract or by preceding medication, among which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants are the most common triggers. Initially the diseases present with unspecific symptoms, followed by more or less extensive blistering and shedding of the skin. Complete death of the epidermis leads to sloughing similar to that seen in large burns. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is the most severe form of drug-induced skin reaction and includes denudation of >30% of total body surface area. Stevens-Johnson syndrome affects <10%, whereas involvement of 10%–30% of body surface area is called Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap. Besides the skin, mucous membranes such as oral, genital, anal, nasal, and conjunctival mucosa are frequently involved in toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is associated with a significant mortality of 30%–50% and long-term sequelae. Treatment includes early admission to a burn unit, where treatment with precise fluid, electrolyte, protein, and energy supplementation, moderate mechanical ventilation, and expert wound care can be provided. Specific treatment with immunosuppressive drugs or immunoglobulins did not show an improved outcome in most studies and remains controversial. The mechanism of disease is not completely understood, but immunologic mechanisms, cytotoxic reactions, and delayed hypersensitivity seem to be involved. Conclusion: Profound knowledge of exfoliative skin diseases is needed to improve therapy and outcome of these life-threatening illnesses.
Islam in Azerbaijan: revival and political involvement

This article has three objectives: Firstly, to examine the process of Islamization in Azerbaijani society since the 1990s, and secondly, to analyze the phenomenon of politicization of Islam. By using the phrase politicization of religion in this context, I mean the abuse and exploitation of Islam for political and social purposes. It is also interesting to notice that the politicization of religion in Azerbaijan can take place both from above and from below. With regard politicization from above, I examine the policies and actions of the current governing party, and also try to answer the question to which extent the ruling party politicizes religion; politicization from below means examining the interests of political parties and religious social groups. These two levels have partially contrary goals. Finally, this paper examines the development of radical religious trends in Azerbaijan.
Whiplash following rear end collisions: a prospective cohort study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors which predict neck pain initially and at 1 year following a rear end collision. Methods: All people who reported a rear end collision to the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary were identified and formed the basis of the cohort. People were excluded if they were under 18 years of age or had suffered a head injury. The main outcome measures were neck pain lasting for more than a week after the accident and neck pain at least 1 day a week at 1 year. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between demographic and accident related variables and outcomes. Results: A total of 1147 people reported rear end collisions to the police during the study period and 503 (44%) agreed to take part in the study. Of the respondents, 78% had neck pain lasting for more than a week and 52% still had pain at 1 year. Age (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.957, 0.942–0.972) and prior history of neck pain (8.32, 2.89–23.89) were the most important predictors of early neck pain. The most important predictors of pain at 1 year were the initial neck visual analogue scale (VAS) score (1.03, 1.01–1.05) and the presence of a compensation claim (4.09, 1.62–10.32). There was only weak evidence that measures of the severity of the impact were associated with outcomes. Conclusion: Demographic variables and the presence of a compensation suit show the strongest correlation with acute and chronic neck pain following rear end collisions.
A novel renal epithelial cell in vitro assay to assess Candida albicans virulence

Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, can cause severe systemic infections in susceptible patient groups. Systemic candidiasis is mainly studied in the mouse intravenous challenge model, where progressive infection correlates with increased early renal chemokine levels. To develop a new in vitro assay to assess C. albicans virulence, which reflects the events occurring in the murine infection model, renal M-1 cortical collecting duct epithelial cells were evaluated as the early producers of cytokines in response to C. albicans. We show that renal epithelial cells respond only to live C. albicans cells capable of forming hyphae, producing chemokines KC and MIP-2, with levels correlating with epithelial cell damage. By assaying epithelial cell responses to strains of known virulence in the murine intravenous challenge model we demonstrate that renal epithelial cells can discriminate between virulent and attenuated strains. This simple, novel assay is a useful initial screen for altered virulence of C. albicans mutants or clinical isolates in vitro and provides an alternative to the mouse systemic infection model.
Say what?

Abstract: Since first having an online presence, American newspapers have tried their best to make readers more involved with their stories. Since the first newspapers started appearing on the world wide web circa 1995, these publications have been working on integrating a range of tools to both enhance the reader's experience and to encourage reader participation and involvement – emails to contact staff, for example, or online polls where the public can easily express their opinion. Among the many tools used, newspapers have started allowing readers to post comments on stories online, not only to be more inclusive but to revitalise the concept of ‘citizen journalism’, where readers can actively contribute and help the news coverage. While the concept of interactivity between readers and publications has been extensively analysed in several studies in past decades, this new venue remains virtually untouched, despite its clear importance. To achieve this goal, this study – the first of its kind – conducted a content analysis of a random sample of reader comments posted on the websites of 10 major US newspapers. Results showed that readers have misused these comment boards, turning them into forums for opinions and personal attacks. Yet, while most comments did not contribute to the news coverage, they were still important tools for promoting the newspaper, for encouraging interaction between publication and reader, and for promoting democracy and freedom of speech. The study concludes with suggestions on how to improve comment boards and suggestions for follow-up studies with other publications with an online presence.
Targeting Aberrant PI3K/Akt Activation by PI103 Restores Sensitivity to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma

Purpose: Because we recently identified Akt activation as a novel poor prognostic indicator in neuroblastoma, we investigated whether phosphoinositide 3′-kinase (PI3K) inhibition sensitizes neuroblastoma cells for TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Experimental Design: The effect of pharmacological or genetic inhibition of PI3K or mTOR was analyzed on apoptosis induction, clonogenic survival, and activation of apoptosis signaling pathways in vitro and in a neuroblastoma in vivo model. The functional relevance of individual Bcl-2 family proteins was examined by knockdown or overexpression experiments. Results: The PI3K inhibitor PI103 cooperates with TRAIL to synergistically induce apoptosis (combination index < 0.1), to suppress clonogenic survival, and to reduce tumor growth in a neuroblastoma in vivo model. Similarly, genetic silencing of PI3K significantly increases TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, whereas genetic or pharmacological blockage of mTOR fails to potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Combined treatment with PI103 and TRAIL enhances cleavage of Bid and the insertion of tBid into mitochondrial membranes, and reduces phosphorylation of BimEL. Additionally, PI103 decreases expression of Mcl-1, XIAP, and cFLIP, thereby promoting Bax/Bak activation, mitochondrial perturbations, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Knockdown of Bid or Noxa or overexpression of Bcl-2 rescues cells from PI103- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis, whereas Mcl-1 silencing potentiates apoptosis. Bcl-2 overexpression also inhibits cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, and Bid pointing to a mitochondria-driven feedback amplification loop. Conclusions: PI103 primes neuroblastoma cells for TRAIL-induced apoptosis by shifting the balance toward proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members and increased mitochondrial apoptosis. Thus, PI3K inhibitors represent a novel promising approach to enhance the efficacy of TRAIL-based treatment protocols in neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 17(10); 3233–47. ©2011 AACR.
Effects, Dynamics and Routes Out of Overqualification in Europe: A Comprehensive Analysis Distinguishing by Employment Status

This study aims to improve our understanding of overqualification by incorporating distinctions in employment status (i.e. self-employed workers, private employees and public employees) in the analysis of the incidence, effects, dynamics and routes out of overqualification. To this end, we apply discrete choice - ordered and nonordered - and count models to the data obtained from the European Community Household Panel for the EU-15. Our results indicate that the incidence of overqualification varies by employment status, where self-employed workers report the lowest occurrence. Furthermore, this analysis suggests that overqualification is a permanent phenomenon and demonstrates that successful pathways out of overqualification differ by employment status. The implications of these results for education and labour market policies are also discussed.
Assessing biophysical variable parameters of bean crop with hyperspectral measurements

Recently high spectral resolution sensors have been developed, which allow new and more advanced applications in agriculture. Motivated by the increasing importance of hyperspectral remote sensing data, the need for research is important to define optimal wavebands to estimate biophysical parameters of crop. The use of narrow band vegetation indices (VI) derived from hyperspectral measurements acquired by a field spectrometer was evaluated to estimate bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grain yield, plant height and leaf area index (LAI). Field canopy reflectance measurements were acquired at six bean growth stages over 48 plots with four water levels (179.5; 256.5; 357.5 and 406.2 mm) and tree nitrogen rates (0; 80 and 160 kg ha-1) and four replicates. The following VI was analyzed: OSNBR (optimum simple narrow-band reflectivity); NB_NDVI (narrow-band normalized difference vegetation index) and NDVI (normalized difference index). The vegetation indices investigated (OSNBR, NB_NDVI and NDVI) were efficient to estimate LAI, plant height and grain yield. During all crop development, the best correlations between biophysical variables and spectral variables were observed on V4 (the third trifoliolate leaves were unfolded in 50 % of plants) and R6 (plants developed first flowers in 50 % of plants) stages, according to the variable analyzed.
Mapping the Scope of Dispute Settlement in Regional Trade Agreements: Implications for the Multilateral Governance of Trade

Abstract This article argues that the inclusion of provisions for the settlement of disputes in regional trade agreements enhances, rather than disrupts, the centrality of the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement system. Using a dataset that organizes exclusion clauses and special provisions for dispute settlement in regional trade agreements, the study develops a thematic typology that is used to examine the ways that disputes may be channelled between regional and multilateral dispute settlement institutions. This comparative empirical dimension offers a more accurate picture of the global contours of regionalization as they relate to the juridical aspects of trade governance, suggesting that the decentralization of dispute settlement inferred by the rapid development of regional bodies has been overstated.
Universal health coverage and user charges

Abstract There has been an explosion of interest in the concept of ‘universal health coverage’, fuelled by publication of the World Health Report 2010. This paper argues that the system of user charges for health services is a fundamental determinant of levels of coverage. A charge can lead to a loss of utility in two ways. Citizens who are deterred from using services by the charge will suffer an adverse health impact. And citizens who use the service will suffer a loss of wealth. The role of social health insurance is threefold: to reduce households’ financial risk associated with sickness; to promote enhanced access to needed health services; and to contribute to societal equity objectives, through an implicit financial transfer from rich to poor and healthy to sick. In principle, an optimal user charge policy can ensure that the social health insurance funds are used to best effect in pursuit of these objectives. This paper calls for a fundamental rethink of attitudes and policy towards user charges.
Calpain Is Required for the Rapid, Calcium-dependent Repair of Wounded Plasma Membrane*

Mammalian cells require extracellular calcium ion to undergo rapid plasma membrane repair seconds after mechanical damage. Utilizing transformed fibroblasts from calpain small subunit knock-out (Capns1-/-) mouse embryos, we now show that the heterodimeric, typical subclass of calpains is required for calcium-mediated survival after plasma membrane damage caused by scraping a cell monolayer. Survival of scrape-damaged Capns1-/- cells was unaffected by calcium in the scraping medium, whereas more Capns1+/+ cells survived when calcium was present. Calcium-mediated survival was increased when Capns1-/- cells were scraped in the presence of purified m- or μ-calpain. Survival rates of scraped Capns1+/+, HFL-1, or Chinese hamster ovary cells were decreased by the calpain inhibitor, calpeptin, or the highly specific calpain inhibitor protein, calpastatin. Capns1-/- cells failed to reseal following laser-induced membrane disruption, demonstrating that their decreased survival after scraping resulted, at least in part, from failed membrane repair. Proteomic and immunologic analyses demonstrated that the known calpain substrates talin and vimentin were exposed at the cell surface and processed by calpain following cell scraping. Autoproteolytic activation of calpain at the scrape site was evident at the earliest time point analyzed and appeared to precede proteolysis of talin and vimentin. The results indicate that conventional calpains are required for calcium-facilitated survival after plasma membrane damage and may act by localized remodeling of the cortical cytoskeleton at the injury site.
Heat Stress and Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation of Chicken Macrophage-Like Cell Line Activates Expression of Distinct Sets of Genes

Acute heat stress requires immediate adjustment of the stressed individual to sudden changes of ambient temperatures. Chickens are particularly sensitive to heat stress due to development of insufficient physiological mechanisms to mitigate its effects. One of the symptoms of heat stress is endotoxemia that results from release of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the guts. Heat-related cytotoxicity is mitigated by the innate immune system, which is comprised mostly of phagocytic cells such as monocytes and macrophages. The objective of this study was to analyze the molecular responses of the chicken macrophage-like HD11 cell line to combined heat stress and lipopolysaccharide treatment in vitro. The cells were heat-stressed and then allowed a temperature-recovery period, during which the gene expression was investigated. LPS was added to the cells to mimic the heat-stress-related endotoxemia. Semi high-throughput gene expression analysis was used to study a gene panel comprised of heat shock proteins, stress-related genes, signaling molecules and immune response genes. HD11 cell line responded to heat stress with increased mRNA abundance of the HSP25, HSPA2 and HSPH1 chaperones as well as DNAJA4 and DNAJB6 co-chaperones. The anti-apoptotic gene BAG3 was also highly up-regulated, providing evidence that the cells expressed pro-survival processes. The immune response of the HD11 cell line to LPS in the heat stress environment (up-regulation of CCL4, CCL5, IL1B, IL8 and iNOS) was higher than in thermoneutral conditions. However, the peak in the transcriptional regulation of the immune genes was after two hours of temperature-recovery. Therefore, we propose the potential influence of the extracellular heat shock proteins not only in mitigating effects of abiotic stress but also in triggering the higher level of the immune responses. Finally, use of correlation networks for the data analysis aided in discovering subtle differences in the gene expression (i.e. the role of the CASP3 and CASP9 genes).
Outage Probability of Power-based Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) on the Uplink of a 5G Cell

This letter puts forth an analytical approach to evaluate the outage probability of power-based NOMA on the uplink of a 5G cell, the outage being defined as the event where the receiver fails to successfully decode all the simultaneously received signals. In the examined scenario, Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) is considered and an arbitrary number of superimposed signals is present. For the Rayleigh fading case, the outage probability is provided in closed-form, clearly outlining its dependency on the signal-to-noise ratio of the users that are simultaneously transmitting, as well as on their distance from the receiver.
Caregiver support for women during childbirth.

BACKGROUND Social support may include advice or information, tangible assistance and emotional support. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of continuous support during labour (provided by health care workers or lay people) on mothers and babies. SEARCH STRATEGY I searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Date of last search: April 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials comparing continuous support during labour with usual care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Trial quality was assessed. Study authors were contacted for additional information. MAIN RESULTS Fourteen trials, involving more than 5000 women, are included in the Review. The continuous presence of a support person reduced the likelihood of medication for pain relief, operative vaginal delivery, caesarean delivery, and a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7. Continuous support was also associated with a slight reduction in the length of labour. Six trials evaluated the effects of support on mothers' views of their childbirth experiences; while the trials used different measures (overall satisfaction, failure to cope well during labour, finding labour to be worse than expected, and level of personal control during childbirth), in each trial the results favoured the group who had received continuous support. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Continuous support during labour from caregivers (nurses, midwives or lay people) appears to have a number of benefits for mothers and their babies and there do not appear to be any harmful effects.
The Interleukin-1 Receptor-associated Kinase Is Degraded by Proteasomes following Its Phosphorylation*

Following interleukin (IL)-1 stimulation, the majority of the cellular interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) translocates to a discrete subset of the Type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) in MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts. As the IRAK becomes multiphosphorylated, it is degraded by proteasomes at a rate comparable to that of the degradation of the phosphorylated IκBα protein. Proteasome inhibitors block the degradation of phosphorylated IRAK and correspondingly increase the amount of IL-1R1 that can be coimmunoprecipitated with IRAK. The nonspecific kinase inhibitor K-252b blocks IRAK phosphorylation and degradation, but does not inhibit IRAK association with the IL-1R1 indicating that translocation of IRAK to the IL-1R1 and its phosphorylation are independent events. The IL-1 specificity of these effects is indicated by the lack of IRAK phosphorylation and degradation by IL-1 in the presence of the IL-1 receptor antagonist or by the activation of MRC-5 cells by tumor necrosis factor α. Long term exposure of MRC-5 cells to IL-1 desensitizes the resynthesized IκBα to IL-1, but not to tumor necrosis factor α stimulation, but no additional effects on IRAK are seen.
The dynamic performance of grid-connected fixed-speed Wind Turbine Generator

The penetration of Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) into the power system has been increasing. As a result, the dynamic characteristic of WTG should be carefully studied to see its effect to the power system. This paper presents the dynamic study of fixed-speed WTG connected to the grid. The one-mass and two-mass shaft model are incorporated into the study to see their effect on the system dynamic. The observations are carried out during the dynamic of wind speed and fault condition. Matlab/Simulink is used to simulate the system. The result shows that two-mass shaft model is able to predict the behavior more accurate that that of in one-mass shaft model.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF EUROPEAN FUNDS MANAGEMENT IN TIMIS COUNTY - RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF SME`S

Our presentation is based on sociological research on the management structures of European funds and development prospects of SME`s in Timis County. Methodological, conceptual apparatus operationalize concepts such as institutional and organizational capacity management, bureaucratic organization, building organizational and institutional continuity/discontinuity, profession assumption, assuming institutional identity, institutional bovarysm and model of good practice. The applicative contribution of this diagnosis is reflected in the analysis of employee perceptions of management capacity in organizational and institutional terms on management and implementation authorities in Timis County, in order to absorb European funds. Advanced hypothesis that guides the entire procedure correlate variables: exploring awareness of specific dimensions of European integration on field as dynamic phenomenon, respectively professional and institutional level identification with variable capacity management in terms of organizational and institutional management authorities and implementation. Main results capture the degree of construction vs. institutional and organizational continuity, the degree of manifestation of institutional bovarysm (Buzărnescu 1998), assuming the profession and degree of institutional identity and identify the best practices at the institutional and organizational authorities of the management and implementation of EU funds in the county Timis.