Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
cagA-seropositive strains of Helicobacter pylori increase the risk for gastric cancer more than the presence of H pylori alone.

Huang et al have performed a meta-analysis to determine the relationship between cagA seropositivity (by serology and polymerase chain reaction) and the risk of gastric cancer. An extensive review of the literature identified no previous systematic overviews. The authors identified 16 studies involving 2284 cases and 2770 controls. The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 77.7% in cases and 63.1% in controls. Tests for cagA were positive in 62.8% of cases and 37.5% of controls. Thus, H pylori and cagA seropositivity significantly increased the risk for gastric cancer, by 2.28 (95% CI 1.71 to 3.05) and 2.87 (95% CI 1.95 to 4.22), respectively. In patients with H pylori, those who were infected by a cagA-positive strain had a slightly higher risk of gastric cancer, with an odds ratio of 1.64 (95% CI 1.21 to 2.24). The authors also found that patients infected with H pylori with or without cagA seropositivity had an increased risk of noncardia gastric cancer, but not of cancer of the gastric cardia. They concluded that cagA-positive strains confer a greater risk of gastric cancer than does H pylori infection alone.
Comparison of the Biochemistry and Rates of Synthesis of Mesosomal and Peripheral Membranes in Bacillus subtilis

The membrane vesicle (beaded chain) portion of the mesosomes and peripheral (ghost) membrane of Bacillus subtilis were obtained by protoplast lysis and separated by differential and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Electron microscopy revealed that both fractions were satisfactorily homogeneous. Comparison of the two membrane preparations showed that they were similar with respect to total protein, total phosphorus, and lipid-soluble phosphorus content. Their protein patterns on acrylamide gel electrophreograms did not differ significantly. A possible point of distinction was revealed by a difference spectrum analysis of their cytochromes. The two preparations showed clear quantitative differences in all five of the enzyme activities assayed. Acrylamide gel electrophreograms of peripheral membrane stained for malate dehydrogenase showed four weak isozyme bands, whereas electrophreograms of mesosome membranes exhibited a single strong peak. (A survey of published data on enzymes in mesosome fractions shows a marked lack of correspondence between different species of bacteria.) Comparison of 3H-acetate incorporation into the two membrane fractions showed that both were labeled at the same rate. Similarly, 35SO4 was taken up by both fractions at a comparable rate and was chased from both comparably. Lipid and protein labeling thus indicates that mesosome vesicle membrane is not a precursor or special growing point of peripheral membrane.
Draft Genome Sequences of Actinomyces timonensis Strain 7400942T and Its Prophage

ABSTRACT A draft genome sequence of Actinomyces timonensis, an anaerobic bacterium isolated from a human clinical osteoarticular sample, is described here. CRISPR-associated proteins, insertion sequence, and toxin-antitoxin loci were found on the genome. A new virus or provirus, AT-1, was characterized.
Piezoelectric PZT / PVDF-copolymer 0-3 composites: aspects on film preparation and electrical poling

Composite films of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and different (non-polar and polar) polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) copolymers are prepared as 30 to 150 μm thick freestanding, relatively flexible films. For low ceramic-volume fractions the ceramic fillers are homogeneous distributed within the polymer matrix as indicated by scanning electron microscopy studies. Ceramic-volume fractions higher than approximately 0.5 lead to porous composite films which became brittle. The brittle films are difficult to polarize and not suitable as piezoelectric transducers. The permittivities of non-porous composite films follow the Bruggeman model for dielectric mixtures. Different procedures are presented and verified in order to polarize the ferroelectric PZT particles and the ferroelectric polymer matrix. In detail, the overall polarization is discussed by taking into account the polarities of the applied poling voltage and of the measured piezoelectric signals. In summary, for composites with high ceramic-volume fractions piezoelectric coefficients of up to 8.6 pC/N and 22.1 pC/N (for PZT / P(VDFTrFE) composites) and up to 11.3 pC/N and 24.8 pC/N (for PZT / P(VDF-HFP) composites) are reached after short-term, room-temperature and long-term, high-temperature poling, respectively.
Ordering protoalgebraic logics

This article is a first step in the study of the order structure of the set of all protoalgebraic logics over a fixed (but arbitrary) language. In particular, it is shown herein that the set is a join-complete semilattice, that it has no minimum, and that is not a meet-semilattice. One of the key points in this study is the discovery of a large family of rather weak protoalgebraic logics, from which an infinity of denumerable sequences of protoalgebraic logics of strictly decreasing strength and with no lower protoalgebraic bound is constructed. Other properties of these logics are also studied, such as their classification in the Frege hierarchy and in the Leibniz hierarchy, and several common metalogical properties (conjunction, disjunction, deduction theorems, etc.; in fact, it turns out that they do not possess any of these properties). These logics provide examples of a kind of protoalgebraic logics, few of which have been provided in the literature to date. This article ends by discussing the issue of how to extend the results to the class of all protoalgebraic logics over different languages, ordered under the expansion relation. This article is an example of the use of combinatorial techniques within the field of abstract algebraic logic.
Comparison of study designs used to detect and characterize pharmacogenomic interactions in nonexperimental studies: a simulation study

Objectives Adverse drug reactions are common, serious, difficult to predict, and may be influenced by genetics, prompting the increasing popularity of pharmacogenomic studies. Many pharmacogenomic studies are conducted in nonexperimental settings, yet little is known about the influence of confounding by contraindication. We, therefore, compared the two designs [the overall population (OPD) and the treated-only (TOD) design] by simulating a pharmacogenomic study of the ECG QT interval (QT). Methods Simulations were informed by data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and a literature review examining QT, QT-prolonging drug use, and modification by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Drug treatment was assigned on the basis of age, sex, and QTlong, representing confounding by contraindication. QT was simulated as a function of drug treatment, one SNP, the drug–SNP interaction, and clinical covariates. Results Failure to adjust for confounding by contraindication produced a varying degree of bias in the OPD, whereas the TOD was biased by the SNP main effect. For example, in the OPD, the false-positive proportion for the drug–SNP interaction was 5% across the range of SNP main effects (0–10 ms), but increased to 19% without adjusting for confounding by contraindication. In the TOD, the false-positive proportion increased to 89% with SNP main effects greater than 4 ms, although bias was reduced by 39% with adjustment for covariates affected by the SNP. Conclusion The potential for bias from confounding by contraindication (OPD) should be weighed against bias from SNP main effects (TOD) when selecting the study design that best suits the given context.
Novel approaches in the treatment of lupus nephritis

In systemic lupus erythematosus hyperactive helper T-cells drive polyclonal B-cell activation and secretion of pathogenic auto-antibodies. The auto-antibodies form immune complexes with their respective auto-antigens, which in turn deposit in sites such as the kidney and initiate a destructive inflammatory reaction. Lupus nephritis can be managed successfully in the majority of cases; however, the most widely used immunosuppressive therapies, notably corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide are non-specific and are associated with substantial toxicities. Novel treatments for lupus nephritis have to be at least as effective and less toxic than existing therapies. The ultimate aim is to develop treatments that target specific steps in the disease process. Novel therapeutic strategies in the short-term more likely will focus on refining regimens of drugs that are already in use (mycophenolate mofetil, adenosine analogues) and combinations of existing chemotherapeutic agents, as well as attempts to achieve immunological reconstitution using immunoablative chemotherapy with or without haematopoietic stem cell rescue. Several new agents targeting specific steps in the pathogenesis of lupus are in various phases of clinical development. Interrupting the interactions between T-lymphocytes and other cells by blocking co-stimulatory molecules, such as CD40 ligand or CTLA4-Ig, may interfere with the early steps of pathogenesis. Blocking IL-10 may decrease auto-antibody production and help normalise T-cell function. Treating patients with DNase or interfering with the complement cascade by blocking C5, or neutralising pathogenic antibodies by administering specific binding peptides or inducing specific anti-idiotype antibodies may prevent immune complex formation and/or deposition.
Influence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and timing of insemination relative to estrus on pregnancy rates of dairy cattle at first service.

The objective was to determine the influence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on pregnancy rates of dairy cattle at first services, when both the timing of hormone injection and insemination were altered relative to the onset of estrus. Cows (n = 325) were assigned randomly to six groups making up a 2 X 2 X 2 incomplete factorial experiment; dose of GnRH (100 micrograms versus saline), timing [1 h (early) or 12 to 16 h (late) after first detected estrus] of AI, and timing of hormone injection (early versus late) were the three main effects. Cows were observed for estrus 4 times daily. Treatments and resulting pregnancy rates were: 1) hormone injection early plus AI early (35%), 2) hormone injection late plus AI early (34%), 3) saline injection early plus AI early (30%), 4) hormone injection late plus AI late (30%), 5) hormone injection early plus AI late (46%), and 6) saline injection late plus AI late (43%). Pregnancy rate in the first four groups (32%) was less than that in the latter two groups (44%). Concentrations of LH in serum were greater for cows given hormone or saline injections in early estrus than for cows injected with either hormone of saline during late estrus. Concentrations of LH in serum 2 h after GnRH were elevated above those of controls, whether GnRH was injected during early or late estrus. Neither concentrations of LH during estrus nor concentrations of progesterone 8 to 14 d after estrus explained the possible antifertility effect of GnRH given during late estrus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparing Efficacy of Lamivudine, Adefovir Dipivoxil, Telbivudine, and Entecavir in Treating Nucleoside Analogues Naïve for HBeAg-Negative Hepatitis B with Medium Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA Levels

Background The antiviral effect of HBV in different nucleos (t) ide analogues is still not well known. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of lamivudine (LMV), adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), telbivudine (LdT), and entecavir (ETV) monotherapy in chronic HBeAg-negative hepatitis B patients with medium load of HBV DNA. Material/Methods The effective data of 207 patients treated by LMV (n=43), ADV (n=57), LdT (n=54) or ETV (n=53) were collected and analyzed during 144-week follow-up by retrospective analysis. Results Serum HBV DNA levels were significantly lower in the ETV group 1.91±0.45 log10 IU/ml) than in the LdT group (2.09±0.62 log10 IU/ml), ADV group (2.26±0.73 log10 IU/ml), and LMV group (2.08±0.75 log10 IU/ml) at 12 weeks (P=0.0464). HBV DNA levels were maintained at lower levels in the ETV group compared to other 3 groups during follow-up (48 weeks, P<0.001; 96 weeks, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that LMV (P=0.001), ADV, (P<0.001), and LdT (P<0.001) were all negative predictors of HBV DNA-negative time, but ETV was not. Viral breakthrough occurred in 34.8% (15/43) of patients in the LMV group; 5.26% (3/57) in the ADV group, 7.4. 0% (4/54) in the LdT group, and 0% (0/53) in the ETV group at the end of follow-up. No significant differences were found in mean ALT levels (all P>0.05) or in cumulative normalization rates (P=0.473). Conclusions ETV was more potent and faster for viral response and lower viral breakthrough in medium load of HBV DNA when compared to LMV, ADV, or LdT monotherapy in HBeAg-negative CHB.
Cellular delivery of TGFβ1 promotes osteoinductive signalling for bone regeneration

Administration of osteoinductive growth factors to wound sites, alone or in conjunction with a delivery vehicle, is an appealing treatment option for critical bone defects. The delivery of cells transfected with genes encoding for osteoinductive growth factors, such as TGFβ1, represents an attractive option to locally deliver constant levels of these growth factors to stimulate new bone formation at the defect site. Using non‐viral transfection methods, we showed that osteoblasts can be genetically modified in vitro to secrete sustained therapeutic levels of TGFβ1 in its active form through control of the transfected cell environment. In addition, delivery of TGFβ1 produced by genetically modified cells that contained the proper post‐translational modifications provided a more robust cellular response compared to administration of bacterially‐derived recombinant TGFβ1. Migration and subsequent proliferation of osteoblasts are critical aspects of the initial steps in the cascade of new bone tissue formation. Exposure to mammalian‐derived TGFβ1 induced a more pronounced chemotactic response upon administration of 10 pg/ml TGFβ1, whereas osteoblasts showed enhanced levels of metabolic activity at 100 pg/ml, which is indicative of greater levels of cellular proliferation when compared to addition of the same levels of recombinant TGFβ1. This increased efficacy of cell‐derived TGFβ1 over recombinant forms of TGFβ1, combined with provision of a continual source of TGFβ1, highlights the advantages of delivering genetically modified cells over exogenous protein delivery for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studying third-parties and environments: New Zealand sun-safety research.

Wearable cameras have been used to study health behaviours, but their utility in assessing third-party behaviours and the built environment is uncertain. This paper reports on the feasibility of using wearable cameras for this purpose in a study of sun-protective behaviours and shade availability during school lunch-breaks. The Kids'Cam study provided 168 children (aged 11-13 years), recruited from 16 randomly selected schools in the Wellington region of New Zealand, with wearable cameras. The devices automatically captured images every 7 s from the child's perspective. Images captured during school lunch-breaks by a random sample of 15 children who took part during terms 4 and 1 (October 2014-April 2015) were selected and assessed for usability. The feasibility of studying third-party sun-protective behaviours and school shade availability was assessed for a subset of 320 images. Of the 3492 eligible lunch-break images, 96.4% were useable; the remainders were excluded due to obstruction, blurriness or unsuitable camera position. Overall, 1278 children and 108 shade structures were observed in the sample images. The use of shade, hats, sleeves, collars and sunglasses could be determined for 97.0%, 77.2%, 74.4%, 47.6% and 54.9% of children, respectively. All shade structures could be classified according to type, and canopy composition could be assessed for 95.4% of structures. Wearable cameras are a feasible tool for assessing sun-safety, particularly shade availability, hat wearing and shade use. This methodology could be used to objectively study other third-party health-related behaviours, and other features of the built environment.
Basic fibroblast growth factor: Production, mitogenic response, and post‐receptor signal transduction in cultured normal and transformed fetal bovine aortic endothelial cells

Normal FBAE AG 7680 cells and chemically transformed FBAE GM 7373 cells were compared for their capacity to produce and to respond to bFGF. Normal FBAE cells showed higher levels of bFGF protein and of poly(A)+ bFGF mRNA than transformed GM 7373 cells, indicating that chemical transformation in FBAE cells is paralleled by a decrease of bFGF gene expression. Basic FGF induced cell proliferation in both normal and transformed FBAE cells. However, bFGF appeared to be much more potent in transformed than in normal cells. No differences in bFGF membrane receptors were observed between normal and transformed FBAE cells in terms of apparent molecular weight, number per cell, dissociation constant, and kinetic of downregulation. In respect to normal cells, however, transformed GM 7373 cells showed higher basal levels of PKC activity. This kinase is activated by bFGF and is involved in mediating the mitogenic activity of bFGF, as shown by the capacity of the PKC inhibitor H‐7 to abolish the mitogenic activity of bFGF both in normal and transformed FBAE cells. Like bFGF, the PKC activators DAG and TPA exerted a stronger mitogenic activity in transformed than in normal FBAE cells. Thus, the different susceptibility of normal and transformed FBAE cells to bFGF appears to depend on differences in the post‐receptor signal transduction mediated by PKC rather than on differences in bFGF receptors.
Prospective study of early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis

We prospectively monitored 140 cirrhotic patients for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma for 6 yr, using periodical screening by high‐resolution convex‐array ultrasonography and α‐fetoprotein. Twenty‐eight patients were positive for HBs antigen, 26 patients had received blood transfusions and were negative for HBs antigen and 26 patients had a history of heavy drinking. We detected hepatocellular carcinoma in 40 patients during this period. The overall cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in the 6 yr was 39%; the cumulative incidence was 59% in patients with HBsAg, 53% in patients who had had blood transfusions and were negative for HBsAg and 22% in patients who had a history of heavy drinking and who were without HBsAg. Detection of the carcinoma in 85% of these 40 patients was based on results of ultrasonography. Twenty‐six of the patients (65%) had a small hepatocellular carcinoma of 2 cm or less. α‐Fetoprotein levels were lower than 100 ng/ml in 56% of these 40 patients. Patients with cirrhosis are at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, especially patients with HBsAg or with a history of blood transfusion who are negative for HBsAg. Periodic monitoring by use of ultrasonography in particular is recommended for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. (HEPATOLOGY 1990;12:680–687).
IL-2 Gene and Antisense TGF-β1 Strategies Counteract HSV-2 Transformed Tumor Progression

The H238 tumor cells are Herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed BALB/c mouse fibroblasts that constitutively express transforming growth factor (TGF-β1). TGF-β can diminish immune capacity, whereas interleukin 2 (IL-2) is stimulatory to the immune system and can counteract the negative effects of TGF-β1. The H238-BALB/c system provides a syngeneic model to evaluate new strategies with the potential to ameliorate tumor-induced immune depression. Plasmids expressing either antisense TGF-β1 or murine Il-2 were constructed and stably transformed cells generated (masH238 and H238-IL2, respectively). In vitro measurements (ELISA and RT-PCR) demonstrated a >70% decrease in TGF-β1 secretion by the masH238 tumor cells, and significant levels of IL-2 production by the H238-IL2 transfected cells when compared to wild type and control plasmid-transfected H238 cells. BALB/c mice injected subcutaneously with the masH238 cells developed significantly smaller tumors than the controls. Mice injected with H238-IL-2 cells developed tumors that failed to progress relative to control tumor growth. The differences in tumor growth in the mice were associated with enhanced immune reactivity and an increased response to T lymphocyte mitogens. Significant differences were also noted in lymphocyte populations and expression of CD25 and CD71 activation markers in the blood and spleens of mice receiving transfected tumor cells. Collectively, the data demonstrate that strategies employing antisense TGF-β1 and IL-2 expression by transfected tumor cells can counteract the progression of a TGF-β1-secreting tumor and enhance immune function involving modulation of T lymphocyte populations.
Medicare reimbursement accuracy under the prospective payment system, 1985 to 1988.

BACKGROUND Hospital reimbursement by Medicare's prospective payment system depends on accurate identification and coding of inpatients' diagnoses and procedures using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). A previous study showed that 20.8% +/- 0.5% (mean +/- SE) of hospital bills for 1985 contained errors that changed their diagnosis related group (DRG) and that a significant 61.6% +/- 1.3% of errors overreimbursed the hospitals. This DRG "creep" improperly increased net reimbursement by 1.9%, +308 million when projected nationally. The present study updated our previous study with 1988 data. METHODS The Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services, obtained a simple random sample of 2451 hospital charts for Medicare discharges from 1988. The American Medical Record Association reabstracted the ICD-9-CM codes on a blinded basis, grouped them to DRGs, and determined the reasons for discrepancies. RESULTS Coding errors declined to 14.7% +/- 0.7% in 1988, and a nonsignificant 50.7% +/- 2.6% of DRG errors overreimbursed the hospitals. Projected nationally, hospitals did not receive a significant overreimbursement. Physician misspecification of the narrative diagnoses underreimbursed the hospitals, while billing department resequencing overreimbursed them. CONCLUSIONS The attestation requirement may have deterred DRG creep due to attending physician upcoding, but the peer review organizations' sentinel effect and educational activities have not eliminated hospital resequencing.
Knowing Your Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Improves Adherence to Advice on Lifestyle Changes and Medication

Implementation of guidelines for coronary heart disease prevention is less optimal in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate if specific knowledge (patients' knowledge about their own coronary heart disease risk factors) would correlate to their adherence as measured by self-reported lifestyle changes, reaching defined treatment goals and adhering to treatment with prescribed drugs. The consecutive medical records of 509 men and women younger than 71 years, hospitalized for a cardiac event, were screened. Of these, 392 patients came for an interview and were subjected to a clinical examination. All patients received a questionnaire regarding their specific knowledge of risk factors and their adherence to lifestyle changes, which was completed by 347 patients. In addition, data were collected and analyzed on how their treatment goals were attained in 8 domains and their adherence to drug treatment. There were significant correlations between specific knowledge and self-reported lifestyle changes, the ability to reach treatment goals in all 8 domains, and adherence to prescribed drugs. Patients with coronary heart disease will benefit from increased specific knowledge of risk factors to adhere with lifestyle changes and prescribed medication after a cardiac event.