Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The I-J subregion codes for determinants on suppressor factor(s) which limit the contact sensitivity response to picryl chloride

The cell-mediated immune reactivity (CMI) of mice to contact chemicals such as picryl chloride (PCI) is influenced by thymus-derived suppressor T lymphocytes (1,2). The development of these suppressor T lymphocytes is stimulated by the intravenous administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Zembala and Asherson have further demonstrated that a specific suppressor factor(s) can be detected in the supernates of cultured suppressor T cells. This factor suppresses the transfer of contact sensitivity (CS) to PCl (1,2). In experiments reported elsewhere (3), we have shown that the PCl suppressor supernates of Zembala and Asherson can also suppress the development of contact sensitivity to PCl. The immunochemical analysis of suppressor factor (SF) operative in the CS response to PCl has revealed many similar properties (3) to other suppressive moieties functioning to limit the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to dinitrophenylated-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (DNP-KLH) as well as the strict antigen specificity of each respective suppressive factor, suggested that there might be a common origin of these substances. Indeed, in each case these respective factors were found to bear determinants controlled by the H-2 gene complex (4,5). Recently, in selected systems, the I-J subregion has been found to code for the Ia determinants present on suppressor cells (6) and suppressor factors (4,5). In accord with these findings, we report that antigen-specific SF which limit the CS response to PCl bear I-J determinants, implying that analogous suppressive regulatory mechanisms in CMI as well as antibody responses may be determined by genes of one subregion of the H-2 complex.
Maximum Likelihood and Firth Logistic Regression of the Pedestrian Route Choice

To investigate how a pedestrian chooses a particular route in an urban center, this study analyzes the effects of individual and built environment characteristics on the route choice using binary logistic regression of 524 survey responses. Conducted in a strategic area, the survey, as often is the case, collects data that are skewed and face the separation issue—the same outcome always occurs for a particular value of a predictor—according to which estimates by the conventional maximum likelihood (ML) method are inflated. Thus, one mechanical and one statistical alternative are employed: (1) exclusion of a variable that causes separation and (2) estimation by Firth’s penalized method. The two alternatives produce comparable results of the significance testing, that is, p values, but their coefficient estimates considerably differ inasmuch as the mechanical approach used for the ML logistic regression forcefully omits the important variable and subsequently biases the estimates of other predictors. Compared to these ML estimates, empirical findings from the Firth logistic regression are presented in a way that corrects for the ML bias.
An Exploration of the Experiences of Women Who FIFO

The Australian Community Psychologist Volume 21 No 2 December 2009 © The Australian Psychological Society Ltd Background In Western Australia, 17.1% of the mining workforce is female and Australia wide this figure is 13.6% (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2001). In 2007, the ABS Western Australian Labour Force Statistics of the Mining Industry indicated that females comprised 19% of the industry (Sibbel, 2008). These figures refer to the mining industry as a whole. The number of women working on actual mine sites is smaller. This is despite Equal Opportunity legislation and Affirmative Action policies, as well as other government and company interventions that have supported the introduction of women to mine sites (Eveline, 1994; Eveline & Booth, 1988). Smith, Crowley and Hutchinson (1993) researched younger female mining professionals to better understand why so many were considering leaving a profession that they had strived so hard to enter. Three key problems were identified for these women: Feeling the need to blend into the dominant male culture by being less visible; experiencing ongoing pressure by being a member of a minority group; and a lack of role models to demonstrate whether, or how, it was possible to combine work and family responsibilities successfully. Other researchers such as Pattenden (1998), Eveline (2002-2003), and Yrke (2004) also reported the numerous difficulties and pressures that these women encounter. Gender conflict and discrimination appear to be central themes, particularly for those women who choose to work offshore, or on remote mine sites. Gender Issues faced by Women in Mining Many women in Australian mining report facing pressure in their workplaces by virtue of being in the minority and feeling that they must ‘blend in’ (Smith et al., 1993). Hence, despite some very public support of women in mining, there are some visible and not-so-visible barriers, some of which are structural and others, interpersonal or sociological (ABCTV, 17 October 2005; Anger, Cake & Fuchs, 1988; Eveline & Booth, 1988, 2002-2003; Gibson & Scoble, 2004; Heen, 1988; Steed & Sinclair, 2000; Yrke, 2004). Gibson and Scoble (2004) asked 50 professional women what hurdles to equality they had encountered while working in mining. A range of issues emerged: Balancing An Exploration of the Experiences of Women Who FIFO
Oral festination in Parkinson's disease: Biomechanical analysis and correlation with festination and freezing of gait

In Parkinson's disease (PD), festination corresponds to a tendency to speed up when performing repetitive movements. First described in gait (and then in handwriting and speech), festination is one of the most disabling axial symptoms. To establish the phenomenology of oral festination (OF) and the condition's potential links with other axial disorders, we submitted a simple, rhythmic, repetitive, vocal motor task to 40 PD patients and 20 controls. Forty‐five percent of the 40 patients presented OF, which was strongly associated with gait festination but not with the severity of freezing of gait (FOG) or dysarthria. With respect to the two pathophysiological hypotheses that have been put forward, a possible link with tremor (as previously suggested in tapping) was not confirmed in this study and so, in view of the significant increase in variability observed, we conclude that OF shares the same pathophysiology as gait disorders. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Developmental effects of two different copper oxide nanomaterials in sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) embryos

Abstract Copper oxide nanomaterials (nano-CuOs) are widely used and can be inadvertently introduced into estuarine and marine environments. We analyzed the effects of different nano-CuOs (a synthesized and a less-pure commercial form), as well as ionic copper (CuSO4) on embryo development in the white sea urchin, a well-known marine model. After 96 h of development with both nano-CuO exposures, we did not detect significant oxidative damage to proteins but did detect decreases in total antioxidant capacity. We show that the physicochemical characteristics of the two nano-CuOs play an essential role in their toxicities. Both nano-CuOs were internalized by embryos and their differential dissolution was the most important toxicological parameter. The synthesized nano-CuO showed greater toxicity (EC50 = 450 ppb of copper) and had increased dissolution (2.5% by weight over 96 h) as compared with the less-pure commercial nano-CuO (EC50 = 5395 ppb of copper, 0.73% dissolution by weight over 96 h). Copper caused specific developmental abnormalities in sea urchin embryos including disruption of the aboral-oral axis as a result in changes to the redox environment caused by dissolution of internalized nano-CuO. Abnormal skeleton formation also occurred.
Association between body mass index and presence of carotid plaque among low-income adults aged 45 years and older: a population-based cross-sectional study in rural China

Carotid plaque is a good surrogate endpoint for assessing arterial atherosclerosis, and atherosclerosis is a reliable predictor of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of body mass index on carotid plaque is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between body mass index and carotid plaque in a low-income Chinese population. Residents aged ≥45 years and free of stroke and cardiovascular diseases were enrolled and divided into four groups based on body mass index. B-mode ultrasonography was performed to measure carotid plaque. The mean age of participants was 59.92 years overall. Significant correlations were observed between the presence of carotid plaque and male sex, older age, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among the different BMI subgroups. Male sex increased the risk of carotid plaque in the overweight and obese groups. Older age and high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were the independent risk factor for carotid plaque in four groups. Increased systolic blood pressure was an independent risk factor in the normal-weight, overweight, and obese groups; however, fasting plasma glucose was only significant in the normal-weight group. Thus, controlling the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose is required to reduce carotid plaque risk.
Limbokeratoplastik bei gelatinöser Hornhautdystrophie

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die gelatinöse Hornhautdystrophie ist in Europa und Nordamerika eine sehr seltene Erkrankung. Meist kommt es vor dem 20. Lebensjahr zu Augenschmerzen, Fotophobie und Visusverlust. Aufgrund häufiger Rezidive nach konventioneller Keratoplastik wurde die Transplantation von Limbusstammzellen vorgeschlagen. Wir zeigen unsere Ergebnisse der Limbokeratoplastik, einer kombinierten Hornhaut- und Limbusstammzelltransplantation, bei dieser Indikation. Methoden Wir präsentieren eine konsekutive Serie von 7 Augen mit gelatinöser Hornhautdystrophie, die wir mit einer Limbokeratoplastik versorgt haben. Vier Augen von 3 Patienten waren im Vorfeld teils mehrfach mit einer konventionellen Hornhauttransplantation versorgt worden. Wir beurteilten den Verlauf im Hinblick auf Rezidive der Hornhautdystrophie, Abstoßungsreaktionen, Transplantatüberleben und das Auftreten eines Sekundärglaukoms mit der Kaplan-Meier-Methode. Ergebnisse Das mediane Alter bei Operation lag bei 35 Jahren. Postoperativ erfolgte bei allen Patienten eine Behandlung mit topischen Steroiden sowie systemisch mit Mycophenolat-Mofetil. Das mediane Transplantatüberleben nach Limbokeratoplastik lag bei 6 Jahren. Die mediane Zeit bis zum Auftreten eines Rezidivs lag bei 3 Jahren. Die erste endotheliale Abstoßungsreaktion trat im Median nach 2,5 Jahren auf. Diskussion Die Limbokeratoplastik bietet die Möglichkeit, den Visus der Patienten über eine lange Zeitspanne wiederherzustellen. Die gelatinöse tropfenförmige Hornhautdystrophie bleibt aber dennoch eine therapeutische Herausforderung. Durch simultane Transplantation von Limbusstammzellen und einer klaren Hornhaut mittels Limbokeratoplastik sind Rezidive nicht dauerhaft zu verhindern. Dies hängt auch mit dem Absetzen einer ausreichenden lokalen und systemischen Immunmodulation zusammen.
Influence of surfactants, polymer and doxorubicin loading on the anti-tumour effect of poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles in a rat glioma model

Poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with polysorbate-80 can enable the transport of bound drugs across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) after i.v. injection. In the present study the influence of different formulation parameters on the anti-tumoural effects of doxorubicin nanoparticles against glioblastoma 101/8 was investigated. The manufacturing parameters of poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles were optimized concerning drug loading. The nanoparticles were coated with different surfactants and injected intravenously on days 2, 5 and 8 after intra-cranial implantation of glioblastoma 101/8 to rats. The survival times of all doxorubicin containing preparations, including a doxorubicin solution, increased the survival times significantly compared to untreated tumour-bearing rats. The most pronounced increase in survival was obtained with the poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles coated with polysorbate 80 and 35% of these animals survived for over 180 days (termination of the experiments). The other nanoparticle preparations yielded lower survival times. Poly(n-butyl cyanoacrylate) doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles coated with polysorbate 80-coated proved to be very efficient against glioblastoma 101/8. The data suggest that the interaction of nanoparticles with the blood after injection as well as the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR effect) contributed differently to the anti-tumoural efficacy depending on nanoparticle formulation and surface properties.
Economic evaluation of prostate cancer screening test as a national cancer screening program in South Korea.

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is rapidly increasing in Korea and professional societies have requested adding prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing to the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP), but this started a controversy in Korea and neutral evidence on this issue is required more than ever. The purpose of this study was to provide economic evidence to the decision makers of the NCSP. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cost-utility analysis was performed on the adoption of PSA screening program among men aged 50-74-years in Korea from the healthcare system perspective. Several data sources were used for the cost-utility analysis, including general health screening data, the Korea Central Cancer Registry, national insurance claims data, and cause of mortality from the National Statistical Office. To solicit the utility index of prostate cancer, a face-to-face interview for typical men aged 40 to 69 was conducted using a Time-Trade Off method. RESULTS As a result, the increase of effectiveness was estimated to be very low, when adopting PSA screening, and the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was analyzed as about 94 million KRW. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the incidence rate, screening rate, cancer stage distribution, utility index, and treatment costs but the results were consistent with the base analysis. CONCLUSIONS Under Korean circumstances with a relatively low incidence rate of prostate cancer, PSA screening is not cost-effective. Therefore, we conclude that adopting national prostate cancer screening would not be beneficial until further evidence is provided in the future.
2010 ISCB Overton Prize Awarded to Steven E. Brenner

Each year the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB; http://www.iscb.org) honors a young scientist who has already achieved a significant and lasting impact on our field. The ISCB Awards Committee, comprised of current and former directors of the society and chaired by Soren Brunak, director of the Center for Biological Sequence Analysis at the Technical University of Denmark, has announced that the recipient of the 2010 ISCB Overton Prize is Steven E. Brenner of the University of California, Berkeley, California, United States (Image 1). Image 1. Steven E. Brenner. Additionally, the 2010 ISCB Accomplishment by a Senior Scientist Award goes to Chris Sander of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, US. Each of these awards are recognized well beyond the borders of the discipline of bioinformatics or computational biology as honoring excellence in science. Brunak points out some interesting connections between this year's award winners: “Both Sander and Brenner started out in structural bioinformatics and made distinguished contributions to the analysis of protein structure before moving into genomics-based research and a more translational approach to bioinformatics. ” Both honorees will be presented with their awards at the ISCB's 18th annual international conference, Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB; http://www.iscb.org/ismb2010), where Brenner will give the opening keynote lecture and Sander will speak on the second day. ISMB 2010 will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, US, July 11–13, 2010. This article features Steven E. Brenner as recipient of the Overton Prize; a future article will highlight Chris Sander's accomplishments that have earned him ISCB's Senior Scientist Award.
Horizontal ridge augmentation with a resorbable membrane and particulated autogenous bone with or without anorganic bovine bone-derived mineral: a prospective case series in 22 patients.

PURPOSE This prospective case series evaluated the use of a new synthetic resorbable membrane with autogenous bone, either alone or in combination with anorganic bovine bone-derived mineral, for horizontal ridge augmentation and subsequent implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Particulated autogenous bone, either alone or in combination with anorganic bovine bone-derived mineral, was used for lateral ridge augmentation and covered with a new synthetic resorbable membrane (glycolide and trimethylene carbonate) to treat knife-edged ridges and prepare them for implant placement. Ridge measurements were obtained before and after augmentation, complications were recorded, and biopsy specimens were examined histologically. RESULTS Fifty-eight implants were placed in 22 patients with 25 surgical sites in knife-edged ridges. No complications were associated with this treatment. Clinical measurements revealed an average of 5.56 mm (± 1.45 mm) of lateral ridge augmentation after an average of 8.12 months (± 2.32 months) of graft healing. Clinically, all treated ridges were sufficient in width for subsequent implant placement. All implants have survived, with an average follow-up period of 45.88 months (± 12.43 months). Histologic analysis of the selected augmentation sites showed new bone formation and good incorporation of the bovine bone mineral particles. CONCLUSION The high implant survival rate and the low complication rate show the potential of this technique for the treatment of horizontal augmentation of lateral ridges and the efficacy of the new resorbable synthetic membrane.
Quantitative Sensory Testing in Measurement of Neuropathic Pain Phenomena and Other Sensory Abnormalities

Neuropathic pain disorders are usually characterized by spontaneous ongoing or intermittent symptoms, stimulus-evoked positive sensory phenomena, and negative sensory phenomena. Spontaneous individual subject specific phenomena are identified in the neurologic history and are quantifiable by means of self-reported neuropathic pain symptoms tools such as scales, inventories, and questionnaires. Negative and positive sensory phenomena are assessed by the neurologic bedside examination and quantitative sensory testing (QST), which refers to psychophysical tests of sensory perception during the administration of stimuli with predetermined physical properties and following specific protocols. QST is able to capture and quantify stimulus-evoked negative and positive sensory phenomena, and as such should become standard if not a critical tool in neuropathic pain research and practice. Although the advent of anatomic and functional imaging modalities is revolutionizing our understanding of the mechanisms of neuropathic pain, only by anchoring such test results to individual subjects' own perceptions via QST can they provide meaningful information about neuropathic pain, which is based on perceptual experience. To yield useful results, QST requires a cooperative subject and carefully standardized methods, including standardization of the stimulus parameters as well as the testing environment, instructions, and evaluation methods. This manuscript provides a concise review of fundamental concepts necessary for understanding the role of QST in the process of eliciting information about sensory abnormalities associated with neuropathic pain and the place of that information in analysis of pain mechanisms. Together with the companion manuscript, this review provides definitions that should help further the use of QST as a diagnostic tool as well.
Sensory phenomena associated with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome.

BACKGROUND Our study was conducted to characterize sensory phenomena experienced by Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS) sufferers. Specific foci of the study were premonitory urges associated with motor and phonic tics, site sensitization, and disinhibition behaviors. METHOD Twenty-eight subjects were recruited for participation in the study from the Tourette's Syndrome Association and from neurologists' patient lists. All had been diagnosed as having TS at least 2 years prior to the study. Patients were contacted by telephone and questioned in an attempt to screen for participants who experienced some sensory phenomena preceding or accompanying their tics. Interviews were conducted in person with 27 of the participants and by telephone with 1 participant. RESULTS Twenty-two (82%) of the 28 subjects experienced premonitory urges prior to motor and vocal tics. Of these 22, 13 (57%) found the premonitory urges more bothersome than the tics themselves, and 12 (55%) thought the premonitory urges enhanced their ability to suppress tics. Of 20 subjects questioned about site sensitization, 14 (70%) had heightened sensitivity to tactile, auditory, and/or visual stimuli. Disinhibition-complex behaviors the subject knows are dangerous or inappropriate but feels incapable of refraining from--was found in 10 (36%) of the 28 subjects and occurred only in subjects experiencing premonitory urges. Premonitory urges and site sensitivity can occur alone or together. Several excellent narrative descriptions of sensory phenomena associated with TS were also obtained. CONCLUSION Much information was gained that adds to the ongoing attempt to characterize sensory phenomena associated with TS. The sensory phenomena must be understood by clinicians who treat TS sufferers, as this study shows that they add significantly to the impairment caused by TS.