Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of Eotaxin-3/CCL26 Gene Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts Is Mediated by STAT6

Allergic inflammatory conditions such as asthma are characterized by an accumulation of eosinophils at sites of inflammation. Eotaxin-3/CCL26 is a member of the family of CC chemokines, which are known to be potent chemoattractants for eosinophils. This chemokine was shown to be up-regulated by IL-4 and IL-13 in endothelial cells. This study demonstrates that eotaxin-3 transcription and eotaxin-3 protein expression are stimulated by IL-4 and IL-13 in a time- and dose-dependent fashion in human dermal fibroblasts. In contrast to eotaxin-1/CCL11, TNF-α could not act as inducer on its own nor did it synergize with IL-4. The activities of eotaxin-3 promoter luciferase constructs were significantly increased by IL-4 and IL-13 in human dermal fibroblasts. This effect was mediated by a binding site for the transcription factor STAT6 in the eotaxin-3 promoter sequence. Mutations in the STAT6 binding site abrogated up-regulation of eotaxin-3 promoter activity. In STAT6-defective human embryonic kidney 293 cells, the wild-type luciferase construct, but not the STAT6 binding mutant, was inducible by IL-4 only upon cotransfection of STAT6 expression vector. In addition, eotaxin-3 protein was detectable in the supernatants of STAT6-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells upon IL-4 or IL-13 stimulation. In the same experiments, TNF-α induced activation of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CCL2 gene was independent of STAT6 transfection. These results indicate that IL-4 and IL-13 activate eotaxin-3 gene expression in a STAT6-dependent fashion. Although both eotaxin-1 and -3 are regulated by this transcription factor, the response of the eotaxin-3 gene to TNF-α stimulation appears to be different.
Differences in onset and persistence of substance abuse and dependence among whites, blacks, and Hispanics.

OBJECTIVE This article describes patterns of onset, persistence, and cessation of substance abuse among whites, blacks, and Hispanics that are masked in cross-sectional prevalence data. METHODS The authors analyzed longitudinal data from a sample of 1,004 white, black, and Hispanic respondents from Chicago to investigate processes of onset, persistence, and cessation of substance abuse and dependence for two age cohorts, 15 and 18 at baseline and 17 and 20 at follow-up. RESULTS The data show few racial or ethnic differences in the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana abuse and dependence at age 15. Rates of onset of alcohol abuse and dependence among whites between ages 15 and 17 were significantly higher than for blacks and Hispanics, and the rates of onset of marijuana abuse and dependence among blacks between ages 18 and 20 were significantly higher than for whites and Hispanics of the same age group. There were few significant differences among the three groups in the persistence rates of abuse and dependence. CONCLUSION By age 20 the rates of marijuana abuse and dependence are significantly higher among blacks than among whites and Hispanics.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute lung injury and ARDS.

BACKGROUND Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are critical illnesses associated with significant morbidity and mortality. AIMS This was designed to assess various etiologies of ALI/ARDS, to determine the correlation between the diagnostic criteria and need of mechanical ventilation, and to correlate biochemical factors with the outcome of patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN An observational, prospective study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a tertiary care hospital, for a period of 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study encompassed 58 consecutive cases of ALI/ARDS admitted to a MICU as per AECC guidelines. Patients excluded were with cardiac failure, chronic kidney diseases with fluid overload, and age below 12 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The data were analysed applying χ2 -test, multivariate logistic regression analysis of significance, using computer-based program SPSS. RESULTS There were more males (74%) than females, and presentation was more common in the younger age group, with a total mortality of 57%. Factors attributable for ALI/ARDS were malaria in 16 patients (27.6%), leptospirosis in 12 (20.7%), malaria with dengue in 3 (5.2%), undiagnosed fever in 16 (27.6%), pneumonia in 8 (13.8%), urinary tract infection in 2 (3.4%), and pancreatitis in 1 (1.7%) patient. Out of 41 patients with PaO 2 /FiO 2 <200, 40 patients required invasive ventilation, and out of 17 patients with PaO 2 /FiO 2 >200, 11 patients though initially managed on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) subsequently required invasive ventilation, and remaining six were successfully managed on NIV. Out of 41 patients requiring mechanical ventilation, 36 had LIS >2.5, whereas only 3 out of 17 patients with LIS <2.5 required mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION Malaria, leptospirosis, and undiagnosed fever were the main etiologies followed by pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and pancreatitis. Both the PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio and lung injury score (LIS) at the time of admission were significant predictors of the outcome and of necessity of mechanical ventilation. PaO 2 /FiO 2 was a better predictor of duration of stay at the intensive care unit than the LIS. Sepsis, acidosis, hypotension, and multiorgan failure were individual predictors of mortality in patients with ALI/ARDS while age, sex, anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, hepatic failure, and X-ray picture were not predictors of the outcome.
Five Describing Factors of Dyslexia

Two subtypes of dyslexia (phonological, visual) have been under debate in various studies. However, the number of symptoms of dyslexia described in the literature exceeds the number of subtypes, and underlying relations remain unclear. We investigated underlying cognitive features of dyslexia with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. A sample of 446 students (63 with dyslexia) completed a large test battery and a large questionnaire. Five factors were found in both the test battery and the questionnaire. These 10 factors loaded on 5 latent factors (spelling, phonology, short-term memory, rhyme/confusion, and whole-word processing/complexity), which explained 60% of total variance. Three analyses supported the validity of these factors. A confirmatory factor analysis fit with a solution of five factors (RMSEA = .03). Those with dyslexia differed from those without dyslexia on all factors. A combination of five factors provided reliable predictions of dyslexia and nondyslexia (accuracy >90%). We also looked for factorial deficits on an individual level to construct subtypes of dyslexia, but found varying profiles. We concluded that a multiple cognitive deficit model of dyslexia is supported, whereas the existence of subtypes remains unclear. We discussed the results in relation to advanced compensation strategies of students, measures of intelligence, and various correlations within groups of those with and without dyslexia.
Optimum Monetary Policy in European Monetary Union

The euro has been introduced to a region that contains many discrepancies and differences. While there are many countries with different business cycles, exerting a single monetary policy which favors all the countries is impossible. I will show that in a simple open macro model by using “weighted mean mechanism”, monetary authorities can exert a common monetary policy to synchronize business cycles and to diminish loss functions in the member states. As we can see by using optimal monetary policy, the business cycles become much more stable and even in 2009 we do not see any recession for Germany and France. Although In this model between 2006 till 2012 the MU (Monetary Union) interest rate should be higher than the United States one, the agent’s countries would be in boom rather recession. If MU interest rates in 2012 and 2013 were less than the actual ones, recession in two countries would change to boom for them.
FTY720 Rescue Therapy in the Dark Agouti Rat Model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: Expression of Central Nervous System Genes and Reversal of Blood‐Brain‐Barrier Damage

FTY720 (fingolimod) is an oral sphingosine‐1 phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator in phase III development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. To further investigate its mode of action, we analyzed gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS) during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). FTY720 downregulated inflammatory genes in addition to vascular adhesion molecules. It decreased the matrix metalloproteinase gene MMP‐9 and increased its counterregulator—tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, TIMP‐1—resulting in a proteolytic balance that favors preservation of blood‐brain‐barrier (BBB) integrity. Furthermore, FTY720 reduced S1P lyase that increases the S1P concentration in the brain, in line with a marked reversal of neurological deficits and raising the possibility for enhanced triggering of S1P receptors on resident brain cells. This is accompanied by an increase in S1P1 and S1P5 in contrast with the attenuation of S1P3 and S1P4. Late‐stage rescue therapy with FTY720, even up to 1 month after EAE onset, reversed BBB leakiness and reduced demyelination, along with normalization of neurologic function. Our results indicate rapid blockade of ongoing disease processes by FTY720, and structural restoration of the CNS parenchyma, which is likely caused by the inhibition of autoimmune T cell infiltration and direct modulation of microvascular and/or glial cells.
Functional dystonia and the borderland between neurology and psychiatry: New concepts

Mind‐brain dualism has dominated historical commentary on dystonia, a dichotomous approach that has left our conceptual grasp of it stubbornly incomplete. This is particularly true of functional dystonia, most diagnostically challenging of all functional movement disorders, in which the question of inherent psychogenicity remains a focus of debate. Phenomenological signs considered in isolation lack the specificity to distinguish organic and nonorganic forms, and dystonia's variability has frustrated attempts to develop objective laboratory‐supported standards. Diagnostic criteria for functional dystonia that place emphasis on psychiatric symptoms perform poorly in studies of reliability, partly explained by the high frequency of psychopathology in organic dystonia. Novel approaches from the cognitive neurosciences may offer a way forward. Theory on Bayesian statistical prediction in cognitive processing is supported by sufficient experimental evidence for this model to be taken seriously as a way of reconciling contradictory notions about voluntary and unconscious motor control in functional movement disorders. In a Bayesian formulation of functional dystonia, misallocation of attention and abnormal predictive beliefs generate movements that are executed without a sense of agency. Building on this framework, there is a consensus that a biopsychosocial approach is required and that a unified philosophy of brain and mind is the best way to locate dystonia in the neurology‐psychiatry borderland. At a practical level, movement disorder neurologists are best placed to differentiate organic from functional dystonia. The main role of psychiatrists is in the diagnosis and management of the primarily psychiatric disorders that often accompany dystonia. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Geographic remoteness, area-level socio-economic disadvantage and advanced breast cancer: a cross-sectional, multilevel study

Background Reducing disparities in cancer outcomes is a major priority for cancer-control agencies. The authors examine the relationships between geographic remoteness, area disadvantage and risk of advanced breast cancer among women. Methods Multilevel models were used to assess the area- and individual-level contributions to the risk of advanced breast cancer among women aged 30–79 years diagnosed as having breast cancer in Queensland, Australia between 1997 and 2006 (n=18 658). Results Women who resided in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas were significantly more likely (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.37) than residents of the most advantaged areas to be diagnosed as having advanced breast cancer after adjustment for individual-level factors. When geographic remoteness and area-disadvantage (and all the individual-level factors) were simultaneously adjusted, the rates of advanced breast cancer were significantly higher for women residing in Outer Regional areas (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.24) and those who lived in the most disadvantaged areas (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.32). There was no statistically significant interaction between geographic remoteness and area disadvantage. Conclusions A woman's risk of being diagnosed as having advanced breast cancer depends on where she lives, separate from the individual characteristics of the woman herself. Both the rurality and socio-economic characteristics of the geographical area in which women lived were important. The socio-economic factors contributing to advanced breast cancer, existing in both urban and rural environments, need to be investigated.
Rosiglitazone Has No Clinically Significant Effect on Nifedipine Pharmacokinetics

To examine the effects of repeat oral dosing of rosiglitazone on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine, a prototype CYP3A4 substrate, a randomized, open‐label, crossover study was performed with two treatment phases separated by a washout period of at least 14 days. Twenty‐eight healthy male volunteers received either a single 20 mg oral nifedipine dose or rosiglitazone 8 mg orally once daily for 14 days with a single 20 mg oral nifedipine dose administered on day 14. Plasma nifedipine concentrations were determined over the 24‐hour period following administration of the nifedipine doses. Lack of effect was defined as the demonstration that the 90% CI was contained entirely within a symmetrical 30% range either side of unity on the loge‐scale. Following rosiglitazone + nifedipine administration, the area under the nifedipine concentration‐time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0‐∞;) was 13% lower than that after administration of nifedipine alone. This difference in nifedipine AUC0‐∞; was not deemed to be clinically significant since the 90% CI was contained within the protocol‐defined 30% range (point estimate for ratio of geometric means 0.87; 90% CI: 0.79, 0.96). Rosiglitazone had no marked effect on nifedipine peak plasma concentration (point estimate: 0.99; 90% CI: 0.73, 1.34) or time to peak concentration compared with nifedipine alone. Rosiglitazone coadministration produced a small decrease in the mean nifedipine half‐life (point estimate: −0.77; 90% CI: mean difference −1.29 h, −0.25 h). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated and associated with a favorable safety profile. Rosiglitazone, at the highest dose used in clinical studies, produced a small, clinically insignificant decrease in nifedipine exposure. The very small effect on nifedipine pharmacokinetics suggests that rosiglitazone is an extremely weak inducer of CYP3A4, a characteristic that distinguishes rosiglitazone from troglitazone.
Standardisation vs. adaption: a conjoint experiment on the influence of psychic, cultural and geographical distance on international marketing mix decisions

This paper delivers new insights into how psychic, cultural and geographical distance influence international marketing mix decisions on the basis of a choice-based conjoint analysis with 96 managers from Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In this experiment, the managers had to decide whether the four Ps of the marketing mix have to be adapted or standardised for international markets (neighbouring country/European country/non-European country). Overall we found that psychic, cultural and geographical distance have a significant moderating effect on the degree of marketing mix adaptation: the larger the distance towards a market, the more inclined the managers are to make a decision that involves a larger degree of adaptation of the four Ps towards the simulated markets. The marketing mix elements product and promotion tend mostly to be adapted when cultural distance increases, while the elements price and distribution are more adapted when psychic distance is high.
Medical applications of electronic nose technology

Electronic nose technology has been developed over the past 15 years in the field of chemistry as an electronic equivalent of the biologic mechanism of smell. Since its inception, it has been well recognized that there is great potential in applying this technology to the field of medicine. This review discusses those areas of medicine in which electronic nose technology has been applied. For each area, this review addresses the scope of the medical problem that has been studied, how the electronic nose technology may help address the medical problem, and the results of such studies to date. Next generation electronic noses will be refined to better analyze specific disease states. This will require further evaluation of the specific volatiles to be tested. This information may then be brought to bear on refinement of the chemistry of the electronic nose sensors, making them more sensitive and specific for the particular disease of interest. The ultimate goal of work in this arena is to make an electronic nose that is portable, fast, inexpensive and, therefore, suitable for use in the examination room or at the bedside, making it facile as a diagnostic tool.
Thoracic outlet syndrome: a controversial clinical condition. Part 2: non-surgical and surgical management

Abstract Background: Proper management of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) requires an understanding of the underlying causes of the disorder. A comprehensive examination process, as described in Part 1 of this review, can reveal the bony and soft tissue abnormalities and mechanical dysfunctions contributing to an individual's TOS symptoms. Objective: Part 2 of this review focuses on management of TOS. Conclusion: The clinician uses clinical examination results to design a rehabilitation program that focuses on correcting specific problems that were previously identified. Disputed neurogenic TOS is best managed with a trial of conservative therapy before surgical treatment options are considered. Cases that are resistant to conservative treatment may require surgical intervention. True neurogenic TOS may require surgical intervention to relieve compression of the neural structures in the thoracic outlet. Surgical management is required for cases of vascular TOS because of the potentially serious complications that may arise from venous or arterial compromise. Post-operative rehabilitation is recommended after surgical decompression to address factors that could lead to a reoccurrence of the patient's symptoms.
Positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology: current applications and future perspectives

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET), particularly dual-modality imaging systems (PET/CT or PET/MRI), has evolved from being a research tool into a valuable clinical modality, particularly in the field of oncology. Currently, most of the PET/CT examinations are done with FDG when assessing glucose metabolism in tumors. FDG PET or PET/CT has been proven to be a valuable method in staging, restaging, therapy response assessment, early recurrence detection, and in unknown primary focus localization. However, PET/CT has its limitations, leading to both false-positive and false-negative results. Proper design and/or choice of an alternative tracer may overcome those problems as well as give better insight into tumor biology and result in more thorough assessment and effective therapeutic approach in patients with cancer.
Indices and perception of crowding in Pacific households domicile within Auckland, New Zealand: findings from the Pacific Islands Families Study.

AIMS Pacific peoples (mostly of Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, or Cook Islands origin) have a higher proportion of reported household crowding than any other ethnic group in New Zealand. However, there are multiple ways crowding can be measured. This paper reports the prevalence and concordance of Pacific peoples' own perception of household crowding together with three commonly employed indices, the American Crowding Index (ACI), Canadian National Occupancy Standard (CNOS), and Equivalised Crowding Index (ECI). METHODS A cohort of Pacific infants born during 2000 in Auckland was followed. Maternal home interviews were conducted at 6-weeks, 12-months, and 24-months postpartum. Household membership information was obtained from the 12-month interviews. Agreement was assessed using the kappa statistic. RESULTS In total, 1224 mothers completed the 12-month interview. Overall, 30% of mothers perceived crowding to be an issue for their households. Crowding was indicated by ACI for 37%, by CNOS for 32%, and by ECI for 59% of households. Agreement between measures ranged from poor (kappa=0.36) to moderate (kappa=0.61). In regression analyses, self-reported perception of crowding had better validity than ACI, CNOS, or ECI indices. CONCLUSION Estimated household crowding prevalence depends on the index used. Self-reported perception of crowding appears the best measure and ECI the worst. Regardless of the index used, crowding remains an important problem for Pacific people despite recent initiatives within New Zealand.
An effectual face tracking based on transformed algorithm using composite mask

The cameras which use in day to day life are low resolution and high resolution cameras. In Practical video scrutiny applications, the faces developed by outside cameras are of low degree resolution and are disturbed by uncontrolled brilliance. Since low resolution cameras are preferred for surveillance because of its low cost. The existing GLF feature is not robust to track face at large changes in lighting direction. In order to overcome this issue, a MGLF (Modified Gradient Logarithm Field) which chiefly depends on the intrinsic appearances of a face and only slightly affected by the lighting source is proposed with the help of novel filter. Also this method does not stand on a particular face model. Output shows that implemented using a composite mask, the MGLF tracker is not sensitive to illumination variations and outstrips many state-of the art pursuing algorithms
Fused-Silica Micro Birdbath Resonator Gyroscope ( $\mu$-BRG)

We present a 3-D fused-silica micro-scale shell gyroscope, called the birdbath resonator gyroscope (BRG). The BRGs axisymmetric geometry leads to a good frequency and Q symmetry. The birdbath resonator can be fabricated with a good structural symmetry because its anchor is self-aligned to the rest of the structure. The BRG has n=2 wine-glass modes at 10.5 kHz and has a large frequency separation between the n=2 wine-glass modes and the closest parasitic mode (|fparasitic-fn=2|/fn=2=0.3), which will potentially lead to a low vibration sensitivity. The equations of motion for 3-D shell gyroscopes are derived and the effective mass and angular gain of the BRG is estimated using finite element method (FEM). The BRG is fabricated using a 3-D micrometer-blow-torching process and assembly on an electrode substrate made with the silicon-on-glass process. The BRG is operated in the force-rebalance mode at vacuum at room temperature and has a scale factor of 27.9 mV/(deg/s), a full-scale range , an angle random walk of 0.106 deg/√h, and a bias stability of 1 deg/h. A large angular gain (0.317) is measured, which is close to the estimated value of 0.25 obtained via FEM.