Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Montreal Definition and Classification of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Global Evidence-Based Consensus

OBJECTIVES:A globally acceptable definition and classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is desirable for research and clinical practice. The aim of this initiative was to develop a consensus definition and classification that would be useful for patients, physicians, and regulatory agencies.METHODS:A modified Delphi process was employed to reach consensus using repeated iterative voting. A series of statements was developed by a working group of five experts after a systematic review of the literature in three databases (Embase, Cochrane trials register, Medline). Over a period of 2 yr, the statements were developed, modified, and approved through four rounds of voting. The voting group consisted of 44 experts from 18 countries. The final vote was conducted on a 6-point scale and consensus was defined a priori as agreement by two-thirds of the participants.RESULTS:The level of agreement strengthened throughout the process with two-thirds of the participants agreeing with 86%, 88%, 94%, and 100% of statements at each vote, respectively. At the final vote, 94% of the final 51 statements were approved by 90% of the Consensus Group, and 90% of statements were accepted with strong agreement or minor reservation. GERD was defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. The disease was subclassified into esophageal and extraesophageal syndromes. Novel aspects of the new definition include a patient-centered approach that is independent of endoscopic findings, subclassification of the disease into discrete syndromes, and the recognition of laryngitis, cough, asthma, and dental erosions as possible GERD syndromes. It also proposes a new definition for suspected and proven Barrett's esophagus.CONCLUSIONS:Evidence-based global consensus definitions are possible despite differences in terminology and language, prevalence, and manifestations of the disease in different countries. A global consensus definition for GERD may simplify disease management, allow collaborative research, and make studies more generalizable, assisting patients, physicians, and regulatory agencies.
Anthelmintic resistance in New Zealand: A perspective on recent findings and options for the future

Abstract A recent national survey on anthelmintic resistance in cattle and sheep in New Zealand indicated that the magnitude of the problem has increased from very low levels only a few years ago to disturbingly high levels now. There is a particular problem with multiple resistance to all three action families of anthelmintic currently available in Ostertagia (= Teladorsagia) spp in sheep, and to both macrocyclic lactones (ML) and benzimidazoles in Cooperia spp in cattle. The prevalence and extent of resistance indicate that all cattle farmers and most sheep farmers should now be using a combination anthelmintic on most occasions just to achieve effective control of all parasites. Despite this, the presence of resistant parasites has generally not been appreciated by the majority of affected farmers, possibly because most have not formally tested to determine the resistance status of nematodes on their farms. Anthelmintics will remain the cornerstone of gastrointestinal nematode control in sheep and cattle for the foreseeable future but to ensure their continued effectiveness farmers need to be constantly aware of the need to maintain adequate reservoirs of unselected nematodes, i.e. worms in refugia, to minimise the expansion of the resistant population. High-risk practices in relation to selection of resistance need to be identified and avoided or at least their use limited. These include: treating adult animals where there is no identified need, moving newly- treated animals onto ‘clean’ pasture, and failing to effectively quarantine-drench bought-in animals. None of these are new concepts but many have not been adopted or practised. In particular, sheep farmers should endeavour to avoid treating ewes pre-lambing with long-acting anthelmintics. Farmers needs to negotiate a balance between achieving good parasite control and the sustainability of their control options.
Cbfa1 Isoforms Exert Functional Differences in Osteoblast Differentiation*

Cbfa1 is an essential transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. We investigated functional differences among three isoforms of Cbfa1: Type I (originally reported as Pebp2αA by Ogawa et al. (Ogawa, E., Maruyama, M., Kagoshima, H., Inuzuka, M., Lu, J., Satake, M., Shigesada, K., and Ito, Y. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 90, 6859–6863), Type II (originally reported astil-1 by Stewart et al. (Stewart, M., Terry, A., Hu, M., O’Hara, M., Blyth, K., Baxter, E., Cameron, E., Onions, D. E., and Neil, J. C. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 94, 8646–8651), and Type III (originally reported asOsf2/Cbfa1 by Ducy et al. (Ducy, P., Zhang, R., Geoffroy, V., Ridall, A. L., and Karsenty, G. (1997)Cell 89, 747–754). A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that these isoforms were expressed in adult mouse bones. The transient transfection of Type I or Type IICbfa1 in a mouse fibroblastic cell line, C3H10T1/2, induced the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. This induction was synergistically enhanced by the co-introduction ofXenopus BMP-4 cDNA. In contrast, the transient transfection of Type III cDNA induced no ALP activity. In C3H10T1/2 cells stably transfected with each isoform ofCbfa1, the gene expression of ALP was also strongly induced in cells transfected with Type I and Type IICbfa1 but not in cells with Type III Cbfa1. Osteocalcin, osteopontin,and type I collagen gene expressions were induced or up-regulated in all of the cells stably transfected with each isoform of Cbfa1, and Type II transfected cells exhibited the highest expression level ofosteocalcin gene. A luciferase reporter gene assay using a 6XOSE2-SV40 promoter (6 tandem binding elements for Cbfa1 ligated in front of the SV40 promoter sequence), a mouse osteocalcinpromoter, and a mouse osteopontin promoter revealed the differences in the transcriptional induction of target genes by eachCbfa1 isoform with or without its β-subunit. These results suggest that all three of the Cbfa1 isoforms used in the present study are involved in the stimulatory action of osteoblast differentiation, but they exert different functions in the process of osteoblast differentiation.
Effect of Plasmid DNA Vaccine Design and In Vivo Electroporation on the Resulting Vaccine-Specific Immune Responses in Rhesus Macaques

ABSTRACT Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses are critical in the early control and resolution of HIV infection and correlate with postchallenge outcomes in rhesus macaque challenge experiments, we sought to identify a plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine design capable of eliciting robust and balanced CMI responses to multiple HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-derived antigens for further development. Previously, a number of two-, three-, and four-vector pDNA vaccine designs were identified as capable of eliciting HIV-1 antigen-specific CMI responses in mice (M. A. Egan et al., Vaccine 24:4510-4523, 2006). We then sought to further characterize the relative immunogenicities of these two-, three-, and four-vector pDNA vaccine designs in nonhuman primates and to determine the extent to which in vivo electroporation (EP) could improve the resulting immune responses. The results indicated that a two-vector pDNA vaccine design elicited the most robust and balanced CMI response. In addition, vaccination in combination with in vivo EP led to a more rapid onset and enhanced vaccine-specific immune responses. In macaques immunized in combination with in vivo EP, we observed a 10- to 40-fold increase in HIV-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assay responses compared to those for macaques receiving a 5-fold higher dose of vaccine without in vivo EP. This increase in CMI responses translates to an apparent 50- to 200-fold increase in pDNA vaccine potency. Importantly, in vivo EP enhanced the immune response against the less immunogenic antigens, resulting in a more balanced immune response. In addition, in vivo EP resulted in an approximate 2.5-log10 increase in antibody responses. The results further indicated that in vivo EP was associated with a significant reduction in pDNA persistence and did not result in an increase in pDNA associated with high-molecular-weight DNA relative to macaques receiving the pDNA without EP. Collectively, these results have important implications for the design and development of an efficacious vaccine for the prevention of HIV-1 infection.
Elevated Chitin Content Reduces the Susceptibility of Candida Species to Caspofungin

ABSTRACT The echinocandin antifungal drugs inhibit synthesis of the major fungal cell wall polysaccharide β(1,3)-glucan. Echinocandins have good efficacy against Candida albicans but reduced activity against other Candida species, in particular Candida parapsilosis and Candida guilliermondii. Treatment of Candida albicans with a sub-MIC level of caspofungin has been reported to cause a compensatory increase in chitin content and to select for sporadic echinocandin-resistant FKS1 point mutants that also have elevated cell wall chitin. Here we show that elevated chitin in response to caspofungin is a common response in various Candida species. Activation of chitin synthesis was observed in isolates of C. albicans, Candida tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. guilliermondii and in some isolates of Candida krusei in response to caspofungin treatment. However, Candida glabrata isolates demonstrated no exposure-induced change in chitin content. Furthermore, isolates of C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. guilliermondii which were stimulated to have higher chitin levels via activation of the calcineurin and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways had reduced susceptibility to caspofungin. Isolates containing point mutations in the FKS1 gene generally had higher chitin levels and did not demonstrate a further compensatory increase in chitin content in response to caspofungin treatment. These results highlight the potential of increased chitin synthesis as a potential mechanism of tolerance to caspofungin for the major pathogenic Candida species.
An externally powered, multichannel, implantable stimulator-telemeter for control of paralyzed muscle

An implantable integrated stimulator and telemetry system has been developed. The system is capable of fulfilling the stimulus and telemetry needs of advanced functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) applications requiring multiple channels of stimulation and multiple channels of sensor or biopotential sensing. This system provides a command control structure, an inductive radio frequency link providing power to the implant device as well as two-way transcutaneous communication, an ASIC for decoding the command and for providing functional control within the implant, and modular circuitry providing the application specific implant functions. Biocompatible hermetic packaging, lead systems, and in-line connectors suitable for long-term implantation, provide encapsulation for the circuitry and access to the electrodes and sensors used in the application. The first implant configuration realized from this modular system is targeted for clinical implementation in persons with tetraplegia at the C6 level for restoration of hand function, using wrist position as the command control source. The implant device realized has ten channels of stimulation and telemetry used to control and sense a joint angle transducer implanted in the radio-carpal joint of the wrist. A prototype device has been fabricated and is undergoing testing in an animal.
Charter Competition and District Finances: Evidence from California

abstract:Charter schools enroll a growing share of public school students, leading to concerns about the financial implications of charter schools for traditional public schools (TPSs). Using detailed expenditure data for school districts in California, I exploit variation in charter school enrollment across time and between districts to evaluate how district spending and overall financial health change as nearby charter sectors expand. I find that larger charter enrollment shares are associated with lower levels of per-pupil spending and reduced fiscal health in TPSs. However, these relationships in some cases exhibit significant nonlinearities and are much smaller in magnitude than what has been observed in other states. Consequently, larger charter enrollment shares are not associated with major differences in the proportion of expenditures allocated to various activities, goods, or services. Differences between these results and those from similar analyses in other states may be explicable in terms of California’s economic and policy context, providing lessons for policymakers.
Lidocaine sprayed down the endotracheal tube attenuates the airway-circulatory reflexes by local anesthesia during emergence and extubation.

UNLABELLED To determine whether lidocaine sprayed down the endotracheal tube (ETT) would attenuate airway-circulatory reflexes during emergence, we compared the reflex responses after endotracheal or IV lidocaine (IVL) in 75 patients receiving a standardized anesthetic protocol. At the end of surgery, the patients were divided into 3 groups (n = 25 for each group) and given no drug (Group 1), given 1 mg/kg of 2% lidocaine sprayed down the ETT 5 min before (Group 2), or given the same dose of IVL 3 min before extubation (Group 3). Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at predetermined time points from 5 min (baseline) before until 5 min after extubation. The number of coughs per patient was continuously monitored during this period. The number (mean +/- SD) of coughs was decreased in Group 2 (4.5 +/- 3.7) compared with the control (10.2 +/- 6.0) (P < 0.01) with no difference for the control versus Group 3 (7.8 +/- 4.6). The increase in blood pressure was only attenuated immediately before extubation (P < 0.05), whereas the increase in heart rate was attenuated (P < 0.05) at all (except baseline) time points (P < 0.05) in Group 2 compared with the control with no difference for the control versus Group 3. The results indicate that lidocaine sprayed down the ETT suppresses the reflexes whereas using the same dose IVL does not, which is probably attributable to the mucosa-anesthetizing effect of lidocaine. IMPLICATIONS Lidocaine sprayed down the endotracheal tube suppresses the airway-circulatory reflex responses whereas using the same dose IV lidocaine does not. This effect seems to be from the direct local anesthesia rather than from systemic absorption from the airway.
A community-based approach to translating and testing cancer literacy assessment tools

Background. To address the issue of cancer disparities among women whose first language is not English, researchers and public health educators are challenged to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate material and instruments. Methods. This study documents the process used to linguistically and culturally translate breast and cervical cancer literacy assessment tools from English to Spanish and from English to Arabic by using a community-based method. Results. Results from field testing the assessments demonstrated good reliability for overall cancer literacy in English (Cronbach's alpha .99), Spanish (Cronbach's alpha .99), and Arabic (Cronbach's alpha .81). Conclusion. Using a community-based approach to translate the cancer assessments helped to insure they were culturally appropriate.
Constrained sex allocation in a parasitoid due to variation in male quality

The theory of constrained sex allocation posits that when a fraction of females in a haplodiploid population go unmated and thus produce only male offspring, mated females will evolve to lay a female‐biased sex ratio. I examined evidence for constrained sex ratio evolution in the parasitic hymenopteran Uscana semifumipennis. Mated females in the laboratory produced more female‐biased sex ratios than the sex ratio of adults hatching from field‐collected eggs, consistent with constrained sex allocation theory. However, the male with whom a female mated affected her offspring sex ratio, even when sperm was successfully transferred, suggesting that constrained sex ratios can occur even in populations where all females succeed in mating. A positive relationship between sex ratio and fecundity indicates that females may become sperm‐limited. Variation among males occurred even at low fecundity, however, suggesting that other factors may also be involved. Further, a quantitative genetic experiment found significant additive genetic variance in the population for the sex ratio of offspring produced by females. This has only rarely been demonstrated in a natural population of parasitoids, but is a necessary condition for sex ratio evolution. Finally, matings with larger males produced more female‐biased offspring sex‐ratios, suggesting positive selection on male size. Because the great majority of parasitic hymenoptera are monandrous, the finding of natural variation among males in their capacity to fertilize offspring, even after mating successfully, suggests that females may often be constrained in the sex allocation by inadequate number or quality of sperm transferred.
Cytogenetics of childhood acute myeloid leukemia: United Kingdom Medical Research Council Treatment trials AML 10 and 12.

PURPOSE Karyotype is an independent indicator of prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that is widely applied to risk-adapted therapy. Because AML is rare in children, the true prognostic significance of individual chromosomal abnormalities in this age group remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS This cytogenetic study of 729 childhood patients classified them into 22 subgroups and evaluated their incidence and risk. RESULTS Rearrangements of 11q23 were the most frequent abnormality found in approximately 16% of patients, with 50% of these in infants. The outcome for all patients with 11q23 abnormalities was intermediate; no difference was observed for those with t(9;11)(p21-22;q23). The core binding factor leukemias with the translocations t(8;21)(q22;q22) and inv(16)(p13q22) occurred at incidences of 14% and 7%, respectively, predominantly in older children, and their prognosis was favorable. An adverse outcome was observed in patients with monosomy 7, abnormalities of 5q, and t(6;9)(p23;q34). Abnormalities of 3q and complex karyotypes, in the absence of favorable-risk features, have been associated with an adverse outcome in adults, but the results were not significant in this childhood series. However, the presence of 12p abnormalities predicted a poor outcome. CONCLUSION Because the spectrum of chromosomal changes and their risk association seem to differ between children and adults with AML, biologic differences are emerging, which will contribute to the redefinition of risk stratification for different age groups in the future.
EXPRESSION OF CLASS II MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS BY KERATINOCYTES IN CUTANEOUS T CELL LYMPHOMA

Background. Expression of various class II MHC antigens by lesional keratinocytes may play an important role in the pathophysiology of a wide variety of human dermatoses including cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Nevertheless, there is relatively little information available concerning the concurrent expression of HLA‐DR, ‐DP, and ‐DO class II MHC antigens in CTCL. Therefore, our aim in this study was to determine the prevalence, localization, extent, temporal sequence, and consistency of class II MHC antigen expression by lesional keratinocytes in CTCL.
Quality control of fan beam scanning data processing with in vitro material

In vivo assessment of human body composition quantities from imaging/scanning systems in clinical research and public health has led to proliferation of indirect methods and techniques that deliver approximating values. The systems are based on morphological or biochemical models and assumptions. Since the development of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the bone density, mineral content and the detection of osteoporosis, it assesses lean tissue and fat also. This study conducts a quality control of DXA variables using direct dissection of 14 porcine hind legs as the criterion method. Results show good to excellent correlations between DXA and dissection data (r2 =0.75 to 0.99), but absolute indirect DXA and direct dissection values were significantly different (P<0.05). In addition DXA provides erroneous values for bone density and the data dimensions are morphological, not chemical values as claimed by the manufacturer. Validation and accuracy studies with intact whole bodies are advised.
Alexithymia in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Clinical Correlates and Symptom Dimensions

Previous studies have indicated that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with alexithymic traits. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the difference of alexithymia in OCD patients and healthy controls. This study was also designed to elucidate a specific link between certain OCD symptom dimensions and alexithymia. Forty-five patients with OCD and 45 healthy controls completed measures of the OCD symptom severity, alexithymia, anxiety, and depression. Patients with OCD had significantly higher scores of alexithymia than did the healthy controls. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age at onset and the level of anxiety were significantly associated with alexithymia. "Sexual/religious obsessions" was the only symptom dimension that showed a positive association with alexithymia in OCD patients. These findings suggest that OCD patients with a high level of anxiety and an early age of onset may have greater alexithymic tendency. We also found the first evidence for a specific link between sexual/religious obsessions and alexithymia in patients with OCD.
Different nuclease activities in competent and noncompetent Bacillus subtilis

Competent and noncompetent cells of Bacillus subtilis were separated on the basis of their different buoyant densities. The two types of cells were compared with respect to their interactions with exogenous deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA). After exposure of DNA to the cells, the unadsorbed fraction of DNA molecules was examined. Both types of cells decreased the biological activity of this DNA, the inactiviation exerted by noncompetent cells being more severe than that exerted by competent cells. Sedimentation analysis of the inactivated DNA revealed that fragments of DNA are produced, owing mainly to the introduction of double-strand scissions. In addition to this fragmentation, the competent bacteria extensively digested the DNA exonucleolytically. This type of breakdown was specifically related to the competent state rather than to the state of low density. The exonucleolytic activity is, in all probability, associated with the cell envelope, because most of the activity is released into the medium when the cells are converted to protoplasts. At 37 C the competence-specific exonucleolytic breakdown started 2 to 3 min after the binding of DNA to the cells. In unfractionated cultures, breakdown may proceed until 70% of the total amount of DNA added has been made acid soluble. Nontransforming Escherichia coli DNA was also subject to exonucleolytic degradation; it seems unlikely,therefore, that this type of breakdown occurs as a consequence of recombination. Since ethylenediaminetetraacetate blocked both transformation by native DNA and the exonucleolytic breakdown of bound DNA, we suggest that the breakdown of DNA by competent cells fulfills an essential function in genetic transformation of B. subtilis.