Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whole-saliva Proteolysis and Its Impact on Salivary Diagnostics

There is growing interest in the use of human whole saliva for diagnostics and disease monitoring as an alternative to blood samples. In contrast to blood, whole saliva is a non-sterile body fluid. Proper hand-ling and storage are required to preserve the integrity of potential biomarkers. We investigated salivary autoproteolytic degradation using a variety of approaches. We determined inhibition of protease activities by monitoring the endogenous proteome. In addition, the stability of highly protease-susceptible proteins—histatin 5, statherin, and PRP1—was assessed. Experimental variables included (a) protease inhibitors, (b) salivary pH, (c) incubation temperatures, and (d) sample heating. A cocktail containing AEBSF, aprotinin, pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, leupeptin, antipain, and EDTA could not prevent histatin 5, statherin, or PRP1 degradation in whole saliva. Among the other treatments evaluated, short-term storage of freshly collected samples on ice was effective without interfering with the chemistry of the proteome. In conclusion, whole saliva contains a unique mixture of enzymes as evidenced from their resilience to protease inhibition. Analytical evidence on protein stability is needed to ensure the validity of salivary biomarker study outcomes. Analysis of the data presented will provide help and guidance for the use of saliva samples for diagnostic purposes.
Erythrocyte Na+ ‐Li+ countertransport in essential hypertension: correlation with membrane lipids levels

Objective To examine whether Na+-Li+ countertransport (SLC) activity is linked to erythrocyte membrane lipid content. Design An observational case-control study. The maximal efflux rate of SLC, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the erythrocyte membrane cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids contents were determined both in fasting normolipaemic normotensive subjects and in hypertensive patients. Methods The Li+-stimulated Na+ efflux was measured in Li+-preloaded erythrocytes. Membrane cholesterol and phospholipids levels were determined by the latroscan technique. Membrane fatty acids were identificated by gas chromatography. Several derived indices were also obtained. Results Erythrocyte membranes of hypertensive patients showed an increase in cholesterol:phospholipid ratio and a decrease in the total amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly at the expense of arachidonic acid and docosatetraenoic acid. SLC activity was higher in hypertensive patients and correlated positively with the plasma triglycerides level and negatively with the ratio of C20:4 to C20:3. Conclusion Our data from untreated normolipaemic hypertensive patients show that a higher SLC activity was accompained by parameters that indicate a lower membrane fluidity.
The use of alternative medicine by children.

OBJECTIVE Alternative medicine (AM) is of growing interest to the general public. Although several studies have been published concerning its use in adults, the use by children is less well known. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency with which alternative medicine is employed in a pediatric population that also uses conventional medicine. A second goal is to investigate the sociodemographic factors that influence the choice of these forms of therapy. METHODS Parents of children consulting the general outpatient clinic of a university hospital completed a self-administered questionnaire asking about previous use of AM for themselves or their children. RESULTS Based on 1911 completed questionnaires, 208 children (11%) previously consulted one or more AM practitioners. Chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, and acupuncture together accounted for 84% of use. Children who used AM differed significantly from those who only used conventional medicine in that they were older than the nonusers, their mothers were better educated, and their parents also tended to use AM. CONCLUSION The findings indicate that AM is an aspect of child health care that no longer can be ignored. Being aware of these practices will enable physicians to discuss alternative therapies with parents in order to ensure the continuity of essential conventional treatments.
Armenia and the Customs Union: Impact of Economic Integration

Russian Abstract: Данный краткий доклад подготовлен на основе детальной аналитической разработки, реализованной по поручению Министерства экономического развития Российской Федерации при поддержке Министерства финансов Республики Армения. Целью настоящего исследования является анализ и общая оценка макроэкономического эффекта в различных сценариях взаимодействия Республики Армения с Таможенным союзом. Численный анализ эффектов последствий присоединения Армении к ТС показал, что в процессе интеграции с ТС дополнительный рост ВВП Армении составит около 4%. Примечательно, что торговый эффект только от снижения цен на российский газ за один год в объеме 140 млн. долларов сопоставим с приростом ВВП на 146 млн. , который обеспечивало бы стране в долгосрочном периоде ассоциативное соглашение с ЕС. English Abstract: This report has been prepared on the basis of a detailed analytical study made on the instructions of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia.This report provides the assessment of the macroeconomic impact of Armenia joining the Customs Union. Quantitative analysis has demonstrated that, as a result of integration with the CU, the additional growth in Armenian GDP will approximate 4%.
Evidence of Increased Endothelial Cell Turnover in Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

OBJECTIVEWe hypothesized that human brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are nonstatic vascular lesions with active angiogenesis or vascular remodeling. To test this hypothesis, we assessed endothelial cell turnover in BAVMs. METHODSWe identified nonresting endothelial cells by use of immunohistochemistry for the Ki-67 antigen. From archived paraffin blocks, we selected BAVM vessels without intravascular thrombosis or embolic material in areas nonadjacent to the nidus edge. For controls, we used 50- to 100-&mgr;m diameter cortical vessels from temporal lobe cortex removed for epilepsy treatment. The Ki-67 index was calculated as a percentage of Ki-67-positive endothelial cells. The data were analyzed by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test and reported as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTSThirty-seven specimens that met the above criteria were selected. There were 26 ± 15 vessels counted in each BAVM specimen versus 18 ± 5 in each control cortex (n = 5). The mean Ki-67 index was higher for BAVM vessels than control cortical vessels (0.7 ± 0.6 versus 0.1 ± 0.2%;P = 0.005), which represented an approximately seven-fold increase in the number of nonresting endothelial cells. In the BAVM group, there was a trend for younger patients to have a wider variation and higher Ki-67 index than older patients; no trend was evident in the control group. CONCLUSIONCompared with control vessels, BAVM vessels have higher endothelial cell turnover, which suggests the presence of active angiogenesis or vascular remodeling in BAVMs.
The effect of electronic health record software design on resident documentation and compliance with evidence-based medicine

This study aimed to determine the role of electronic health record software in resident education by evaluating documentation of 30 elements extracted from the American Academy of Ophthalmology Dry Eye Syndrome Preferred Practice Pattern. The Kresge Eye Institute transitioned to using electronic health record software in June 2013. We evaluated the charts of 331 patients examined in the resident ophthalmology clinic between September 1, 2011, and March 31, 2014, for an initial evaluation for dry eye syndrome. We compared documentation rates for the 30 evidence-based elements between electronic health record chart note templates among the ophthalmology residents. Overall, significant changes in documentation occurred when transitioning to a new version of the electronic health record software with average compliance ranging from 67.4% to 73.6% (p < 0.0005). Electronic Health Record A had high compliance (>90%) in 13 elements while Electronic Health Record B had high compliance (>90%) in 11 elements. The presence of dialog boxes was responsible for significant changes in documentation of adnexa, puncta, proptosis, skin examination, contact lens wear, and smoking exposure. Significant differences in documentation were correlated with electronic health record template design rather than individual resident or residents’ year in training. Our results show that electronic health record template design influences documentation across all resident years. Decreased documentation likely results from “mouse click fatigue” as residents had to access multiple dialog boxes to complete documentation. These findings highlight the importance of EHR template design to improve resident documentation and integration of evidence-based medicine into their clinical notes.
The epidemiology of melioidosis in Ubon Ratchatani, northeast Thailand.

BACKGROUND Melioidosis, or infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in South East Asia and Northern Australia. The epidemiology of melioidosis in Ubon Ratchatani, Northeast Thailand was studied over a 5-year period from 1987 to 1991. METHODS Rates and, when possible, the risks of developing melioidosis were calculated. The numerator was the number of culture-proven cases of melioidosis seen in the 1000-bed referral hospital of the province. The denominators were obtained from the population census, a survey of Health, Welfare and Use of Traditional Medicine, and the North Eastern Meterological Centre, Thailand. RESULTS The average incidence of human melioidosis was 4.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8-5.0) per 100,000. The disease affected all ages with the highest incidence in 40-60 years olds. Melioidosis was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.4-5.3) times more common in males than females. The disease showed a significant seasonal variation in incidence, and a strong linear correlation with rainfall (r = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9) Adults exposed to soil and water in their work (most were rice farmers) had an increased risk of melioidosis (in the 40-59 year age group, relative risk = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.4-6.9). Most adult patients had an underlying disease (mainly diabetes mellitus) predisposing them to this infection. CONCLUSION Melioidosis may result from either acute exposure to the organism in the soil and water, or 're-activation' of an asymptomatic childhood infection (by an unidentified possibly infective seasonal cofactor). The results from this analysis are consistent with both hypotheses. Further epidemiological studies are needed to identify risk factors so that optimal strategies for control of melioidosis may be developed.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 and gastric carcinogenesis

Epidemiological studies have shown that the use of nonsteroid anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer. The best‐known target of NSAIDs is the cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzyme. Two Cox genes have been cloned, of which Cox‐2 has been connected with gastric carcinogenesis. Expression of Cox‐2 is elevated in gastric adenocarcinomas, which correlates with several clinicopathological parameters, including depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis. This suggests that Cox‐2–derived prostanoids promote aggressive behavior of adenocarcinomas of the stomach. Cox‐2 expression is especially prominent in intestinal‐type gastric carcinoma and it is already present in dysplastic precursor lesions of this disease, which suggests that Cox‐2 contributes to gastric carcinogenesis already at the preinvasive stage. Our most recent data show that Cox‐2 is expressed in gastric adenomas of trefoil factor 1 deficient mice. Treatment of these mice with a Cox‐2 selective inhibitor, celecoxib, reduced the size of the adenomas. Taken together these data support efforts to initiate clinical studies to investigate the effect of Cox‐2 inhibitors as chemotherapeutic agents and as adjuvant treatment modalities against gastric neoplasias.
[Expression of P53, P63, and C-erbB-2 in endometrioid adenocarcinoma and their clinicopathological significance].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Tumor suppressor gene p53 and oncogene C-erbB-2 are confirmed to have close relation with endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EC), few documents have been reported about their correlation. Its structural homology to p53, p63 has been considered as a tumor suppressor gene acompany with p53 mutation, but its suppressive nature has not been confirmed yet; reports about p63 expression in EC are rare. This study was designed to investigate the roles of p53, p63, and C-erbB2 in tumorigenesis and development of EC, and their correlation with clinicopathological features of EC. METHODS Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect P53, P63, and C-erbB2 protein expression in 38 cases of EC, 23 cases of endometrial hyperplasia (EH), and 10 cases of benign proliferative endometrium (BPE). RESULTS (1) The positive rate of P53 in EC was 31.6%,significantly higher than those in EH and BPE (P < 0.05). P53 expression was associated with surgical pathologic stage, and depth of myometrial invasion in EC (P< 0.005), but was not associated with histological grade (P >0.05). (2) The positive rate of P63 in EC was 81.6%, significantly higher than those in EH and BPE (P < 0.005). P63 expression was not associated with histological grade, surgical pathologic stage, and depth of myometrial invasion in EC (P >0.05). (3) The positive rate of C-erbB-2 in EC was 23.2%, there was no significant difference compared with those in EH or BPE (P >0.05). C-erbB-2 expression was associated with surgical pathologic stage, and depth of myometrial invasion in EC (P< 0.001,P< 0.005),but was not associated with histological grade (P >0.05). (4) There was significantly positive correlation between P53 and P63 (r =0.443,P < 0.01)or C-erbB-2 (r =0.490,P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Both p53 and p63 are involved in carcinogenesis of EC; p63 may act as an oncogene in tumorigenesis of EC. The expression of P53 and C-erbB2 are related to the progression of malignant EC; P53 and C-erbB-2 co-expression may predict poor prognosis.
The relationship of hypertension in the elderly to AD, vascular dementia, and cognitive function

Background Hypertension at the age of 45 to 50 years may predispose to AD later in life. It is not known whether hypertension after age 65 years also contributes to AD risk, and its effect on cognitive function is also not fully understood. MethodsData were analyzed from 1,259 Medicare recipients free of dementia in a longitudinal study covering a 7-year period (1991 to 1998). The effect of hypertension was first examined in relationship to the risk for incident AD and then to incident vascular dementia (VaD) using Cox proportional hazards models. Changes in performance over time on tasks of memory, language, and visuospatial/cognitive function were compared in those with and without hypertension using generalized estimating equations. ResultsOf the 1,259 subjects, 731 (58.1%) had a history of hypertension associated with diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. A history of hypertension was not associated with an increased risk for AD (rate ratio [RR] 0.9, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.3) but was associated with an increased risk for VaD (1.8 [1.0 to 3.2]). Hypertension was not associated with changes in memory, language, and general cognitive function in normal individuals over time. Compared with individuals with neither hypertension nor heart disease, those with hypertension or heart disease alone had no increase in risk for VaD. However, when both were present, there was a threefold increase in risk for VaD. A sixfold increase in risk was observed when both hypertension and diabetes were present. Conclusions Hypertension after age 65 years is not associated with AD and does not adversely affect memory, language, or general cognitive function. A history of hypertension may be an antecedent to VaD, particularly in the presence of heart disease or diabetes.
Paxillin is essential for PTP-PEST-dependent regulation of cell spreading and motility: a role for paxillin kinase linker

The tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST has been implicated in the regulation of cell spreading and migration through dephosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins and inhibition of Rac GTPase activity. The focal adhesion adaptor protein paxillin is also necessary for normal cell migration and binds directly to PTP-PEST. In this study, we have utilized PTP-PEST–/– and paxillin–/– fibroblasts to demonstrate that paxillin is essential for PTP-PEST inhibition of cell spreading and membrane protrusion as well as inhibition of adhesion-induced Rac activation. Furthermore, we show that paxillin-binding is necessary for PTP-PEST stimulation of cell migration. Mutation analysis indicates that PTP-PEST function involves binding to the paxillin C-terminal LIM domains, and signaling through the tyrosine 31 and 118 phosphorylation sites, as well as the LD4 motif of the paxillin N-terminus. Using `substrate trapping' approaches and immunoprecipitation, we show that the ARF GAP paxillin kinase linker PKL/GIT2, a paxillin LD4 binding partner, is a substrate for PTP-PEST. Additionally, the PKL-paxillin interaction was necessary for PTP-PEST inhibition of cell spreading. These data provide mechanistic insight into how the paxillin-PTP-PEST interaction contributes to integrin signaling events associated with the spatiotemporal regulation of key modulators of the cytoskeleton and cell motility machinery.
Social cognition and Theory of Mind in patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis

Background: Theory of Mind (ToM) is an ability to understand and interpret another person’s beliefs, emotions, and intentions. ToM requires both cognitive and emotional perspective taking and is deficient in several neuropsychiatric disorders all connected with impaired social functioning. Cognitive and mood dysfunctions have been recognized as common symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS).
What do voters do when they like a local candidate from another party?

Abstract We address two questions: How many voters particularly like a candidate from another party? And do these voters vote for their preferred party or their preferred candidate? We use the Making Electoral Democracy Work data for the 2015 Canadian federal election in three provinces (British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec). We find that one voter out of ten particularly liked a candidate from a party other than the one he or she preferred. For two out of five of such voters, the preference for the local candidate trumped the party preference. Résumé Nous répondons à deux questions: quelle proportion d’électeurs préfère un candidat local qui n'est pas de leur parti préféré? Et est-ce que ces électeurs votent pour le parti préféré ou le candidat? Nous utilisons les données du projet Making Electoral Democracy Work de l’élection fédérale canadienne de 2015 dans trois provinces (Colombie Britannique, Ontario et Québec). Les résultats démontrent qu'un électeur sur dix préfère un candidat local différent de son parti préféré. Par ce sous-groupe, deux électeurs sur cinq vont voter pour le candidat préféré au détriment du parti dans ce sous-groupe.
Understanding the transfer of policy failure: Bricolage, experimentalism and translation

This article re-assesses some of the literature on policy transfer and policy diffusion in light of ideas as to what constitutes failure, partial failure or limited success. First, the article looks at imperfect, incomplete or uninformed transfer processes as one locus of policy failures. Second, it addresses the concept of ‘negative lesson-drawing’ as well as the role of interlocutors who complicate policy transfer processes between A and B. Third, the idea of ‘transfer’ as a neat linear transmission of an intact policy approach or tool is criticised by drawing attention to the extensiveness of hybridity, synthesis, adaptation and ‘localisation’. Finally, the article concludes that policy ‘translation’ is a better conceptual framework for comprehending and valorising the learning and policy innovations that come with the trial and error inherent in policy-making. This entails an abandonment of perceptions of one-way linear processes of country ‘A’ sending policy to ‘B’ that characterises many policy transfer approaches to a stronger analytical focus on importing countries that translate policies.
Factores explicativos de las redes transnacionales de producción en la Unión Europea: economías centrales vs periferias sur y este

espanolEste trabajo analiza la estrategia de fragmentacion internacional de la produccion y la conformacion de redes transnacionales en la Union Europea. A partir de la estimacion, con diferentes tecnicas, de un modelo de gravedad con datos de comercio de partes y componentes para el sector de la maquinaria y material de transporte, encontramos el papel protagonista que tienen las economias Centrales, y en particular Alemania, en tales redes. Factores como la pertenencia a la UE, la cercania geografica y linguistica y la calidad institucional mas directamente vinculada al funcionamiento de sector empresarial favorecen el establecimiento y la intensidad de estas cadenas transnacionales de produccion. Sin embargo, las diferencias economicas excesivas entre paises suponen un lastre cuando se trata de los paises Centrales de la UE, mientras que para los paises de la Periferia Sur y Este suponen un impulso, apuntando al diferente perfil de integracion en redes de unas y otras economias. EnglishThis paper focuses on analyzing the strategy of international fragmentation of production and the evolution of the cross-border networks in the European Union. Using a gravity model for trade in parts and components in Machinery and Transport Equipment, our results emphasize the important role of the Core EU economies, in particular Germany, in these networks. Factors such as belonging to the EU as well as the geographical and linguistic proximity and the institutional quality closely linked to the business sector favor the establishment and the intensity of the cross-border production chains. However, excessive economic differences between countries suppose, for the Core EU economies, an obstacle for the functioning of these sharing production networks, whereas for the East and South Periphery those differences suppose an impulse, pointing at the dissimilar profile of these areas (Core and Periphery) in the integration in global networks.
The Modified Ghost Fluid Method for Coupling of Fluid and Structure Constituted with Hydro-Elasto-Plastic Equation of State

In this work, the modified ghost fluid method (MGFM) [T. G. Liu, B. C. Khoo, and K. S. Yeo, J. Comput. Phys., 190 (2003), pp. 651-681] is further developed and applied to treat the compressible fluid-compressible structure coupling. To facilitate theoretical analysis, the structure is modeled as elastic-plastic material with perfect plasticity and constituted with the hydro-elasto-plastic equation of state [H. S. Tang and F. Sotiropoulos, J. Comput. Phys., 151 (1999), pp. 790-815] under strong impact. This results in the coupled compressible fluid-compressible structure system which is fully hyperbolic. To understand the effect of structure deformation on the interfacial and flow status, the compressible fluid-compressible structure Riemann problem is analyzed in the consideration of material deformation with an approximate Riemann problem solver proposed to take into account the effect of material elastic-plastic deformation. We clearly show the ghost fluid method can be applied to treat the flow-deformable structure coupling under strong impact provided that a proper Riemann problem solver is used to predict the ghost fluid states. And the resultant MGFM can work effectively and efficiently in such situations. Various examples are presented to validate and support the conclusions reached.