Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
German infant mortality 1960-1980.

Reduction of infant mortality has been an important public policy goal in East and West Germany since 1950 yet overall rates remain above those in other highly developed European countries. Berentsen studies infant mortality rates from 1960-1980 an era of rapid growth and development in both countries when health care improved considerably. He concludes that East Germany had an infant mortality rate of 18.5 in 1970 lower than West Germanys rate of 23.4; East Germanys infant mortality rate dropped to 12.1 in 1980 comparable to West Germanys rate of 12.7. This is an unexpected finding as East Germany has the lower standard of living; it may reflect East Germanys achievement of considerable social equity a goal of relatively higher priority in East Germany than in West Germany. Both Germanies still have infant mortality rates higher than those for other highly developed European countries such as Sweden with an infant mortality rate of 6.8 in 1980 and Denmark with an infant mortality rate of 8.4 in 1980. The causes of infant deaths in both Germanies are probably associated with a complexly interrelated set of social characteristics as well as availability and use of quality health care. The regional analysis here provides evidence that air pollution could also contribute to increased levels of infant deaths in industrialized polluted regions especially among poorly educated low-income groups.
TGF-beta increases retinal endothelial cell permeability by increasing MMP-9: possible role of glial cells in endothelial barrier function.

PURPOSE To determine transforming growth factor (TGF) beta effects on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as a potential cause of the blood-retinal barrier breakdown at the onset of angiogenesis. Previously, glial cells were shown to play a role in the angiogenesis process and to express the angiogenic regulating factor TGF-beta, which becomes active under hypoxia conditions. Here, the authors demonstrate that retinal endothelial cells express MMP-9 when treated with TGF-beta or cocultured with glial cells and that both TGF-beta and MMP-9 increase endothelial cell permeability. METHODS Primary cultures of bovine retinal endothelial (BRE) cells grown on porous membranes were treated with TGF-beta or purified MMP-9, and permeability changes were assayed. The amount and distribution of the tight junction protein occludin also was analyzed by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Cell extracts or conditioned media from TGF-beta-treated BRE cells and from glial cell-BRE cocultures were analyzed for MMP-9 content by substrate gel electrophoresis (zymography) or Western blotting. RESULTS Both TGF-beta and MMP-9 increased the permeability of BRE monolayers and reduced the levels of the junction protein occludin. The effect of MMP-9 on permeability was rapid, but the TGF-beta-induced permeability required longer incubation and was blocked by anti-TGF-beta and anti-MMP-9 antibodies as well as by TGF-beta latency-associated peptide. Zymography showed that MMP-9 activity, which was very low or absent in untreated BRE cultures, was dramatically increased by TGF-beta as well as by coculturing with either astrocytes or Müller glial cells. Anti-TGF-beta antibody blocked the TGF-beta effect, but not the coculture effect on MMP-9 production. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate a direct correlation between TGF-beta-induced MMP-9 activity and increased endothelial cell permeability. Moreover, endothelial cell production of MMP-9 is regulated by glial cells through expression of TGF-beta or by direct cell-to-cell contact. During retinal disease, glial cell production of active TGF-beta may contribute to breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier by stimulating endothelial cell MMP-9 production.
Role of spinal kappa opioid receptors in the blockade of the development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine.

The site of action of the kappa opioid receptor agonist, U-50,488H in suppressing the development of tolerance to morphine antinociception was examined by local application, either intrathecal (i.t., spinal) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v., supraspinal) in mice. Mice given morphine s.c. , i.c. v. or i.t. daily developed tolerance regardless of the route. Co-administration of U-50,488H i.p. at a subanalgesic dose suppressed the development of tolerance to s.c. and i.t. administered morphine without affecting the antinociceptive effect of morphine. U-50,488H did not influence the development of tolerance to i.c. v. administered morphine. The antinociceptive effect of s.c. administered morphine was not affected by co-administration of U-50,488H given i.t. or i.c. v. ; however, the development of tolerance to morphine was suppressed by i.t. but not i.c. v. administered U-50,488H. The suppressive effect of U-50,488H on the development of tolerance to morphine was abolished by pretreatment with nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) given i.p. or i.t. Intracerebroventricularly administered nor-BNI failed to abolish the effect of U-50,488H. We suggest that U-50,488H suppresses the development of tolerance to morphine at the spinal level by interacting with kappa opioid receptors in this area.
Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety Among Junior High School Students in Worst-Hit Areas 3 Years After the Wenchuan Earthquake in China

The aim of this study was to examine symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among junior high school students in worst-hit areas 3 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. Analyses were carried out on 373 of the 377 students enrolled. In addition to obtaining demographic characteristics, the Impact of Event Scale–Revised, the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and an Earthquake exposure screening scale were administered. It was found that 29.6%, 44.8%, and 37.6% of participants reported clinical symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, respectively. PTSD, depression, and anxiety were highly comorbid. Having witnessed someone being killed, family members being killed, close friends seriously injured or being killed, and felt scared remained as significant predictors for PTSD. Having witnessed someone seriously injured and felt scared remained as significant predictors for depression. Having witnessed someone seriously injured, witnessed someone being killed, and felt scared remained as significant predictors for anxiety.
Use of domestic detergents in the California mastitis test for high somatic cell counts in milk

The California mastitis test (cmt) is used on farms to identify subclinical mastitis by an indirect estimation of the somatic cell count (scc) in milk. Four commercially available detergents were compared with a bespoke cmt fluid for their ability to detect milk samples with a scc above 200,000 cells/ml; differences between the interpretation of the results of the tests by eight operators were also investigated. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were affected by the type of detergent, and by the operators' interpretations. When used by the most sensitive operator, suitably diluted Fairy Liquid performed almost identically to cmt fluid in identifying milk samples with more than 200,000 cells/ml. The average sensitivities achieved by the eight operators for detecting this threshold were 82 per cent for Fairy Liquid and 84 per cent for cmt fluid, and the specificities were 93 and 91 per cent respectively. The other detergents contained less anionic surfactants and were less sensitive but similarly specific.
Skin reactivity to histamine and to allergens in unselected 9‐year‐old children living in Poland and Italy

Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of positive skin‐prick tests to airborne allergens in Western than in Eastern European countries. We have recently reported that skin histamine reactivity significantly increased in Italy over the past 15 years. Population differences in skin histamine reactivity could, at least in part, explain the reported differences in positive allergen skin tests. To test this hypothesis we compared histamine skin reactivity and the prevalence of allergen positive skin‐prick tests in a sample of Italian and Polish schoolchildren. A total of 336 unselected 9‐year‐old‐schoolchildren (198 in Italy and 138 in Poland) underwent skin‐prick tests with three different histamine concentrations (10, 1 and 0.2 mg/ml) and with a panel of common airborne allergens according to the ISAAC protocol, phase two. Mean wheals elicited by skin‐prick tests with the three serial concentrations of histamine were significantly larger (p < 0.001) and shifted more toward higher values (p < 0.001) in Italian than in Polish children. The differences were greater for the intermediate histamine concentration tested (1 mg/ml) than for the highest concentration (10 mg/ml). Skin‐prick tests for airborne allergens were more frequently positive in Italian children: wheals ≥ 3 mm induced by any allergen [odds ratio (OR) 1.69; confidence interval (CI) 0.98–2.92] by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (OR 1.92; CI 0.97–3.80) and by D. farinae (OR 3.15; CI 1.16–8.63). Labeling as positive allergen wheal reactions half the size of the 10 mg/ml histamine wheal or larger reduced but did not abolish the Italian–Polish differences. The significantly higher skin histamine reactivity observed in Italian children could help to explain why allergen skin‐test reactions differ in the East and West European populations. Moreover, differences in nonallergen‐specific factors among populations should be considered in the interpretation of skin test results (e.g. cut‐off points). To obtain meaningful results, epidemiological studies of allergies should include serial histamine dilutions.
A doxycycline inducible, adenoviral bone morphogenetic protein‐2 gene delivery system to bone

We report the novel use of a tuneable, non‐integrating viral gene delivery system to bone that can be combined with clinically approved biomaterials in an 'off‐the‐shelf' manner. Specifically, a doxycycline inducible Tet‐on adenoviral vector (AdTetBMP‐2) in combination with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), fibrin and a biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic (MBCP®) was used to repair large bone defects in nude rats. Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) transgene expression could be effectively tuned by modification of the doxycycline concentration. The effect of adenoviral BMP‐2 gene delivery upon bone healing was investigated in vivo in 4 mm critically sized, internally fixated, femoral defects. MSCs were transduced either by direct application of AdTetBMP‐2 or by pre‐coating MBCP granules with the virus. Radiological assessment scores post‐mortem were significantly improved upon delivery of AdTetBMP‐2. In AdTetBMP‐2 groups, histological analysis revealed significantly more newly formed bone at the defect site compared with controls. Newly formed bone was vascularized and fully integrated with nascent tissue and implanted biomaterial. Improvement in healing outcome was achieved using both methods of vector delivery (direct application vs. pre‐coating MCBP). Adenoviral delivery of BMP‐2 enhanced bone regeneration achieved by the transplantation of MSCs, fibrin and MBCP in vivo. Importantly, our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that this can be achieved with relatively low (ng/ml) levels of the growth factor. Our model and novel gene delivery system may provide a powerful standardized tool for the optimization of growth factor delivery and release for the healing of large bone defects. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke at one year. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Stroke Study Group.

BACKGROUND In 1995, the two-part National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Stroke Trial found that patients who were treated with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) within three hours after the onset of symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were at least 30 percent more likely than patients given placebo to have minimal or no disability three months after the stroke. It was unknown, however, whether the benefit would be sustained for longer periods. METHODS In the NINDS Trial, a total of 624 patients with stroke were randomly assigned to receive either t-PA or placebo. We collected outcome data over a period of 12 months after the occurrence of stroke. The primary outcome measure was a "favorable outcome," defined as minimal or no disability as measured by the Barthel index, the modified Rankin Scale, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale. We assessed the treatment effect using a global statistic. RESULTS Using an intention-to-treat analysis for the combined results of the two parts of the trial at 6 months and 12 months, we found that the global statistic favored the t-PA group (odds ratio for a favorable outcome at 6 months, 1.7; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 2.3; odds ratio at 12 months, 95 percent confidence interval, 1.7; 1.2 to 2.3). The patients treated with t-PA were at least 30 percent more likely to have minimal or no disability at 12 months than were the placebo-treated patients (absolute increase in the proportion with a favorable outcome, 11 to 13 percentage points). There was no significant difference in mortality at 12 months between the t-PA group and the placebo group (24 percent vs. 28 percent, P=0.29). There was no interaction between the type of stroke identified at base line and treatment with respect to the long-term response. The rate of recurrent stroke at 12 months was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS During 12 months of follow-up, the patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with t-PA within three hours after the onset of symptoms were more likely to have minimal or no disability, than the patients given placebo. These results indicate a sustained benefit of t-PA for such patients.
HIV sexual transmission and microbicides

Pathogens often rely on the contacts between hosts for transmission. Most viruses have adapted their transmission mechanisms to defined behaviours of their host(s) and have learned to exploit these for their own propagation. Some viruses, such as HIV, the human papillomavirus (HPV), HSV‐2 and HCV, cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the transmission of particular viral variants and comprehending the early adaptation and evolution is fundamental to eventually inhibiting sexual transmission of HIV. Here, we review the current understanding of the mechanisms of sexual transmission and the biology of the transmitted HIV. Next, we present a timely overview of candidate microbicides, including past, ongoing and future clinical trials of HIV topical microbicides. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autodeterminación y calidad de vida en personas discapacitadas

El trabajo trata de dar a conocer como se desarrolla el proceso de autodeterminacion en un grupo de jovenes discapacitados que vive dentro de la comunidad. Desde una experiencia particular como es la de los hogares de grupo se pretende, por un lado, identificar algunos de los elementos fundamentales que condicionan el que las personas puedan asumir y participar en mayor medida de lo que les sucede en sus vidas y, por otro, cuestionar algunas de las decisiones que en los ultimos anos se han ido adoptando con relacion a las personas discapacitadas. En este sentido, se incide en como algunas de las decisiones adoptadas recientemente, lejos de lo que podamos pensar, contribuyen a mantener y perpetuar respuestas tradicionalmente ancladas como la lastima, el miedo o el paternalismo. Asimismo, y desde un planteamiento participativo de la investigacion, el trabajo incorpora al grupo de jovenes al proceso de investigacion e integra sus puntos de vista. El trabajo incorpora ademas un CD-Rom en el que se presentan en formato hipermedia algunos de los resultados de la investigacion. Su realizacion responde, en coherencia con todo el trabajo realizado, a la necesidad de devolver a los jovenes discapacitados que habian participado, algunas de las ideas mas importantes y hacerlo a traves de un medio que de cualquier otra forma resultaria dificil dar a conocer.
Role of Anesthetic Agents on Cardiac and Immune Systems

ABSTRACT A growing body of evidence indicates that anesthetic agents may play some roles in the cardiovascular and immune systems after injury. Myocardial anesthetic preconditioning is found to be involved in the anesthetic-induced cardioprotective effect. Such protective phenomenon is reported to be implicated in a variety of intracellular signaling pathways including the regulation of the opening of adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channels, the maintenance of intracellular and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, and the mediation of nitric oxide formation and reactive oxygen species release. Moreover, through anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties, the anesthetic agents are believed to modulate immune response of individuals after injury. Thus, alteration or modulation of cardiovascular and immune function by the administration of anesthetic agents to the patients at the time of injury appears to be appropriate and important.
A 10-Gb/s receiver with series equalizer and on-chip ISI monitor in 0.11-/spl mu/m CMOS

A 10-Gb/s receiver is presented that consists of an equalizer, an intersymbol interference (ISI) monitor, and a clock and data recovery (CDR) unit. The equalizer uses the Cherry-Hooper topology to achieve high-bandwidth with small area and low power consumption, without using on-chip inductors. The ISI monitor measures the channel response including the wire and the equalizer on the fly by calculating the correlation between the error in the input signal and the past decision data. A switched capacitor correlator enables a compact and low power implementation of the ISI monitor. The receiver test chip was fabricated by using a standard 0.11-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. The receiver active area is 0.8 mm/sup 2/ and it consumes 133 mW with a 1.2-V power supply. The equalizer compensates for high-frequency losses ranging from 0 dB to 20 dB with a bit error rate of less than 10/sup -12/. The areas and power consumptions are 47 /spl mu/m /spl times/ 85 /spl mu/m and 13.2 mW for the equalizer, and 145 /spl mu/m /spl times/ 80 /spl mu/m and 10 mW for the ISI monitor.
L'avamprogetto dei velivoli

MEMORIE DELLA ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE DI TORINO. CLASSE DI SCIENZE FISICHE MATEMATICHE E NATURALI Volume uscito l'8.5. 2009; i PDF sono in rete dal 28.5. 2009
Histologic and clinical evaluation for maxillary sinus augmentation using macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate in human.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated both the clinical and histological aspects of bone formation in maxillary sinus augmentation using MBCP as the bone-grafting material. MATERIAL AND METHODS MBCP was used as a primary bone substitute for maxillary sinus augmentation. Fifty-two patients were selected after a medical and dental examination, and were divided into the following three groups: those augmented with MBCP only; MBCP combined with irradiated cancellous bone; and MBCP combined with intraoral autogenous bone. After a healing period (average 6.78 months after surgery), bone cores were harvested for a histological evaluation and the implant fixtures were installed. These bone cores were evaluated via light microscope and implants were followed up for at least six months after loading. RESULTS Four to ten months after surgery, new vital bone surrounding the MBCP particles was observed in 18 bone biopsies. Two out of the 130 implants installed were explanted due to a failure of osseointegration before the prosthetic procedure. All the remaining implants were functioning for 6 to 27 months (average 12.96 months). The cumulative survival rate of the implants was 98.46%. CONCLUSION These results show that MBCP can be used as a grafting material for sinus floor augmentation, whether combined with other bone graft materials or not, and lead to a predictable prognosis for dental implants in the posterior maxillary area where there is insufficient vertical height for fixture installation.
Eosinophil Peroxidase Nitrates Protein Tyrosyl Residues

Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) has been implicated in promoting oxidative tissue injury in conditions ranging from asthma and other allergic inflammatory disorders to cancer and parasitic/helminthic infections. Studies thus far on this unique peroxidase have primarily focused on its unusual substrate preference for bromide (Br−) and the pseudohalide thiocyanate (SCN−) forming potent hypohalous acids as cytotoxic oxidants. However, the ability of EPO to generate reactive nitrogen species has not yet been reported. We now demonstrate that EPO readily uses nitrite (NO2 −), a major end-product of nitric oxide (⋅NO) metabolism, as substrate to generate a reactive intermediate that nitrates protein tyrosyl residues in high yield. EPO-catalyzed nitration of tyrosine occurred more readily than bromination at neutral pH, plasma levels of halides, and pathophysiologically relevant concentrations of NO2 −. Furthermore, EPO was significantly more effective than MPO at promoting tyrosine nitration in the presence of plasma levels of halides. Whereas recent studies suggest that MPO can also promote protein nitration through indirect oxidation of NO2 − with HOCl, we found no evidence that EPO can indirectly mediate protein nitration by a similar reaction between HOBr and NO2 −. EPO-dependent nitration of tyrosine was modulated over a physiologically relevant range of SCN− concentrations and was accompanied by formation of tyrosyl radical addition products (e.g. o,o′-dityrosine, pulcherosine, trityrosine). The potential role of specific antioxidants and nucleophilic scavengers on yields of tyrosine nitration and bromination by EPO are examined. Thus, EPO may contribute to nitrotyrosine formation in inflammatory conditions characterized by recruitment and activation of eosinophils.
DiLAS: a Digital Library Annotation Service

In most contemporary digital library management systems (DLMS) the contents are conveyed to the user as a “collection of information items”, which can be searched or browsed. However, this paradigm is often not sufficient to cope with embedded usages, for which access to the contents is not seen as an isolated activity, but as part of a larger work process, where interaction with other users, editing and annotating documents need to be integrated. Up to now, annotations have been - in most cases - stored together with the documents they refer to in a central DL repository. With the advent of decentralized DL architectures in Grid or Peer-to-Peer environments, but also in Service-oriented architectures, these design choices need to be revised by technical solutions that allow us to manage annotations independently from a particular DLMS. To this end, the authors are participating in a research project, named Digital Library Annotation Service (DiLAS), aimed at designing and developing an architecture and a framework able to support and evaluate such a decentralized annotation service.