Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Vaginal Microflora of Pig‐Tailed Macaques and the Effects of Chlorhexidine and Benzalkonium on This Ecosystem

Background and Objectives: To characterize normal vaginal microflora of pig‐tailed macaques and to evaluate two commonly used intravaginal compounds, chlorhexidine (CHG), a vaginal antiseptic (Surgilube, E. Fougera, Melville, NY), and benzalkonium chloride (BZK) (spermicidal contraceptive) in this monkey model to assess effects on the vaginal microflora. Study Design: Vaginal swabs were collected for microbiologic analysis to characterize normal flora. Subsequently, the vagina was exposed to either CHG or BZK twice at 24‐hour intervals. Results: The vaginal microflora of 26 pig‐tailed macaques was found to be remarkably similar to the vaginal flora of the human with respect to frequency of vaginal colonization by H2O2‐producing lactobacilli, Prevotella species, and several other microorganisms. After two vaginal applications at 24‐hour intervals, CHG had only small effects on the vaginal microflora of five animals. By contrast, BZK applied by the same protocol had profound adverse effects on the lactobacilli and Peptostreptococcus and more transient effects on vaginal Prevotella and viridans streptococci of six animals. Conclusions: These observations demonstrate that the vaginal microflora of the pig‐tailed macaque is a useful model in which to further evaluate newly developed intravaginal contraceptives that may be microbicidal and/or virucidal before widespread intravaginal use in women.
Sanacija korita i vodopada na rijeci Plivi u Jajcu

Prikazuje se stradanje korita i vodopada rijeke Plive te zahvati kojima su se kroz povijest pokušale sanirati nastale štete. Pri izradi idejnog rješenja prikazanog u ovom radu, pošlo se od ideje da se osigura globalna i lokalna stabilnost vodopada, a i njegova trajnost u dužem razdoblju. Opisani su i sanacijski zahvati duž korita i na vodopadu kojima se pokušalo zadovoljiti osnovni kriterij koji se odnosi na to da treba osigurati ponovno taloženje sedre u vodotoku rijeke Plive.
Arterial stiffness changes in patients with cardiovascular risk factors but normal carotid intima–media thickness

Aims We aimed to evaluate, through an Echotracking system, the functional changes of carotid arteries with relation to the amount of cardiovascular risk factors in patients without structural atherosclerotic damage. Methods From a series of 260 asymptomatic consecutive patients we selected 75 patients (mean age: 47 ± 8 years) with normal intima–media thickness (IMT) and without atherosclerotic plaques. In these patients, local arterial stiffness parameters were evaluated using a simple Echotracking system. Patients were divided in three groups: group 1 (n = 25 patients without risk factors), group 2 (n = 23 patients with one risk factor) and group 3 (n = 27 patients with two or more risk factors). Results Carotid IMT was similar in all groups (P = ns). On the contrary, stiffness parameters progressively increased according to the number of risk factors [pulse wave velocity (PWV) = 5.8 ± 1.1 m/s, 6.4 ± 1.2 m/s and 6.7 ± 1.4 m/s in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P = 0.002; &bgr;-index = 7.5 ± 3.4, 8.5 ± 3.2 and 9.5 ± 4.7 in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P = 0.047]. Furthermore, on multivariate linear regression analysis, PWV and &bgr;-index significantly correlated (P = 0.002 and P = 0.048, respectively) with the number of risk factors even when adjusted for age, gender and current therapy. Conclusion In a population with normal carotid IMT and without plaques, changes in arterial stiffness are significantly related to the number of risk factors. This information could be relevant for a more tailored primary prevention in patients with risk factors even in absence of structural atherosclerotic abnormalities.
Prismatic adaptation reduces biased temporal order judgements in spatial neglect

Visuomotor adaptation to rightward-deviating optical-wedge prisms reduces the clinical manifestations of spatial neglect after right hemisphere damage. We investigated whether this beneficial effect of prism adaptation is due to attenuation of the ipsilesional attentional bias that is common in spatial neglect. Five right hemisphere patients performed visual temporal order judgements before and after visuomotor adaptation to 15° rightward-deviating prisms. The magnitude of patients' ipsilesional attentional bias on the temporal order judgement task was significantly reduced following adaptation. By contrast, the temporal order judgements of normal participants did not change following adaptation to either leftward- or rightward-deviating prisms. The findings suggest that prism adaptation helps to rebalance the distribution of spatial attention following right hemisphere damage.
Contemporary awareness and understanding of cholesterol as a risk factor: results of an American Heart Association national survey.

BACKGROUND Public awareness and understanding of risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease are essential for successful primary and secondary prevention. The American Heart Association is committed to reducing cardiovascular disease. METHODS A professional market survey company conducted a structured national telephone survey of English-speaking adults 40 years and older on behalf of the American Heart Association. Regional and sex quotas were imposed on the sample, and responses were weighted to match the 1999 census projections for region of the country, age, sex, and race. RESULTS Interviews were completed with 1163 adults 40 years and older. A national probability sample of 1114 was created. Of the final sample, 28.5% were 65 years or older, 56.1% were women, and 86.5% were white. Although 91.2% of respondents stated that it was "important to them personally to have a healthy cholesterol level" (77.6% extremely or very important), 51% did not know their own level. Only 40.2% were aware of national guidelines for cholesterol management, and 53.1% either did not know or overestimated the correct desirable total cholesterol level for a healthy adult. When asked what sources of information they rely on the most, 66.8% identified physicians, while only 3.7% rely primarily on the Internet. CONCLUSIONS Public understanding of cholesterol management is suboptimal. Physicians have a unique opportunity, on the basis of public attitudes and access, to improve cholesterol education.
Investigation of a plug hole shaped frequency and pattern reconfigurable antenna using photo-conductive microwave switches

A plug hole shaped reconfigurable microstrip antenna capable of frequency and pattern reconfiguration using photo-conductive switches is proposed in this paper. The antenna can be operated at three different frequencies in the range of 2–4GHz. At each frequency, five different radiation patterns are possible. Photo-conductive switches used to obtain reconfiguratibility. The simulation results comprising the return loss and radiation patterns of the proposed antenna are presented.
Gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI of mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas: imaging-histologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the enhancement patterns of mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images using imaging-histologic correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the preoperative gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images of 19 patients with mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Two readers independently interpreted enhancement patterns on arterial (globally high, rimlike), dynamic (washout, progressive), and hepatobiliary (target, nontarget) phase images. Dynamic enhancement was categorized as washout (hypoenhancement on later phase compared with arterial phase images) or progressive (persistent or gradually increased enhancement). Tumor enhancement ratio and tumor-to-liver signal difference curves were analyzed. The enhancement patterns were correlated with the extent of stromal fibrosis within the tumors. RESULTS Rimlike arterial enhancement (89%, reader 1; 84%, reader 2) and a progressive dynamic pattern (89%, both readers) were predominant. Tumor enhancement ratio increased gradually from the arterial to the equilibrium phase then decreased in the hepatobiliary phase, but the tumor signal intensities were lower than liver signal intensity in all phases. The two lesions that both readers considered to have globally high arterial enhancement and a washout dynamic pattern presented with minimal or scattered stromal fibrosis. Target appearance in the hepatobiliary phase (reader 1, 42%; reader 2, 47%) was more commonly seen in tumors with central stromal fibrosis (reader 1, p = 0.025; reader 2, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas may be characterized by rimlike enhancement and a progressive dynamic pattern on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images, and these features seem related to the extent of stromal fibrosis in the tumor. Furthermore, mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas may have a pseudowashout pattern on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images because of progressive background liver enhancement. Therefore, radiologists need to be aware of this pattern as a possible pitfall.
Specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize the immediate-early transactivator Zta of Epstein-Barr virus

We identified the immediate-early transactivator Zta of Epstein-Barr virus as a target for specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Cells pulsed with overlapping synthetic peptides representing the entire amino acid sequence of Zta proved to be efficient for the in vitro stimulation of Zta-specific CTL in several donors. With peptide-pulsed target cells, we found that CTL from several donors recognize a peptide comprising 15 amino acids. The immune response against this peptide exerted by CTL lines from different donors was found to be restricted by two different molecules of the major histocompatibility complex: HLA-B8 and HLA-Cw6. The latter molecule could for the first time be identified as a restricting element for a CTL response. The epitope of the HLA-B8-restricted CTL could be mapped to an octameric sequence between amino acid positions 190 and 197 of the Zta protein, whereas the minimal epitope of HLA-Cw6-restricted CTL consists of 11 to 15 residues between positions 187 and 201. Thus, the HLA-B8 and HLA-Cw6 epitopes widely overlap but are not completely identical. In vitro stimulation of blood lymphocytes from a panel of HLA-B8-positive or HLA-Cw6-positive virus carriers, using autologous cells pulsed with the Zta peptides comprising the HLA-B8 or HLA-Cw6 epitope, respectively, revealed in both cases that most of these donors developed a Zta-specific cytotoxic activity. These data, as well as the high spread of the major histocompatibility complex molecules HLA-B8 and HLA-Cw6 in most populations, suggest that an efficient CTL response directed against gene products of the immediate-early group of the lytic cycle exists in vivo in a considerable portion of virus carriers. A CTL response against proteins expressed immediately after the switch into the lytic cycle could eliminate lytically activated cells at an early stage and would thus efficiently prevent the production and release of progeny virions.
Bipolar Affective Disorder: Causes and Prevention of Relapse

The majority of patients with bipolar affective disorder relapse at least once during their lifetime, most several times, often with disastrous consequences. In this review we examine those factors which appear to play a facilitatory and in some cases, a causal role in determining whether a relapse will occur and, if so, when. Such factors include: the season of the year, with most admissions for mania in the British Isles occurring in the summer months; change in endocrine status, as after childbirth or when there is impaired thyroid function; treatment with drugs affecting central monoamine, particularly dopamine, neurotransmission; untoward life events. We evaluate the relative efficacy of treatments for the prevention of relapse, such as lithium, carbamazepine and antipsychotics, in the context of social and psychological support systems.
Conséquences de l’atteinte vasculaire silencieuse au cours de l’hypertension artérielle et de l’hyperglycémie

Le remodelage vasculaire correspond a toute modification de structure et de fonction arterielle au cours de processus physiologiques et pathologiques. Il s’agit le plus souvent de processus adaptatifs sur le court terme qui s’accompagnent de consequences pathologiques sur le long terme. Le premier exemple ici developpe est le remodelage arteriel structural et fonctionnel des grosses arteres au cours de l’hypertension arterielle (HTA). Sur le plan structural, un epaississement de la paroi est observe, epaississement adaptatif dans un premier temps, puis potentialisateur des lesions atherosclereuses. Sur le plan fonctionnel, une augmentation de la rigidite arterielle s’installe au cours de l’HTA, due en partie au moins a l’augmentation de pression de distension. Le deuxieme exemple developpe est le remodelage arteriel au cours du diabete de type 2. L’hyperglycemie et l’hyperinsulinemie presentes, dans un premier temps au cours du diabete de type 2, sont egalement et tres fortement associees a des modifications arterielles structurales avec augmentation de l’epaisseur de la paroi. Sur le plan fonctionnel, il existe egalement une hyper-rigidite arterielle, correlee a ces anomalies metaboliques. En pratique, la mesure de l’epaisseur intima-media carotidienne par echotracking vasculaire pour quantifier l’hypertrophie de la paroi, associee a la mesure de la rigidite arterielle par mesure de la vitesse de l’onde de pouls carotido-femorale, sont des investigations a privilegier de par leur caractere predictif de complications cardiovasculaires maintenant bien demontre, et de par leur simplicite de mesure, mesures validees et precises.
Die Auswirkungen des Steuersystemwechsels vom Halbeinkünfteverfahren zur Abgeltungssteuer auf die Ausschüttungspolitik von Unternehmen

Mit der Einfuhrung der Abgeltungsteuer zum 1. Januar 2009 hat sich die Besteuerung von Einkunften aus Kapitalbeteiligungen in Deutschland grundlegend verandert. In diesem Beitrag wird analysiert, welche Auswirkungen der Steuersystemwechsel vom Halbeinkunfteverfahren zur Abgeltungssteuer auf die Ausschuttungspolitik von Unternehmen hat. Zu diesem Zweck werden die Vermogenspositionen von Aktionaren eines Unternehmens betrachtet, welches liquide Mittel entweder in Form einer Dividende oder in Form eines Aktienruckkaufes ausschuttet, oder diese Mittel alternativ fur eine Investition einbehalt. Auf der Grundlage dieser Vermogenspositionen werden anschliesend fur beide Steuersysteme die kritischen Werte fur die Rendite einer zusatzlichen Investition bei Einbehaltung abgeleitet und miteinander verglichen. Dabei stellt sich heraus, dass nach dem Steuersystemwechsel Unternehmen im Interesse des Grosteils ihrer Aktionare auf Investitionsprojekte verzichten sollten, die das Vermogen der Aktionare unter dem Halbeinkunfteverfahren noch gesteigert haben. Anstatt in diese Projekte zu investieren ist den Unternehmen heute angeraten diese Mittel auszuschutten.
Una reflexión sobre el modelo turismo cultural en Morelia: Escenarios y tendencias para consolidar un turismo cultural sustentable

RESUMEN Esta participacion pretende abordar algunas reflexiones sobre la gestion del turismo cultural y su desarrollo, a partir de un modelo que actualmente parece trivial y alejado de la esencia original de los conceptos del turismo cultural sustentable. A fin de precisar algunas ideas, como caso de analisis abordaremos el desarrollo del turismo cultural y el escenario actual que prevalece en la ciudad de Morelia, enfocandonos en su centro historico, destacado bien nacional y latinoamericano, inscrito en la lista del patrimonio mundial de la UNESCO y baluarte excepcional del urbanismo y de la arquitectura monumental dentro de la herencia historica de Mexico. Una de las motivaciones de este trabajo es establecer y conoce, hacia donde va el modelo turistico cultural en Mexico y, en el caso de Morelia, intentar hacer una reflexion critica y propositiva sobre el modelo que se ha venido desarrollando las ultimas tres decadas a nivel local, para identificar, a manera de conclusiones, algunos escenarios y tendencias en el marco de los logros obtenidos, pero tambien de las amenazas que enfrenta su gestion turistica dentro de la complicada realidad social, de inseguridad, de sus dinamicas urbana y la conservacion patrimonial que vive actualmente la antigua Valladolid. Palabras clave: turismo cultural, patrimonio mundial, Centro Historico de Morelia, sustentabilidad turistica, conservacion patrimonial
Pregnancy outcome in women with pre-existing lupus nephritis

The aim of the present study was to assess the fetal and maternal outcome in a cohort of patients with lupus nephritis. Twenty-four pregnancies in 22 women with lupus nephritis occurring between 1991 and 2000 were analysed retrospectively. Lupus nephritis was biopsy proven before pregnancy in all cases. Women were followed from the beginning of pregnancy up to 6 months postpartum. Close fetal - maternal monitoring and frequent laboratory investigations were applied routinely to all patients. All women were prescribed steroid therapy from the beginning of the pregnancy. There were 18 live births, four spontaneous abortions and two stillbirths. Of the 18 live births, 14 were premature and four were term deliveries, representing a 25% fetal loss rate and 58% prematurity rate. There were two fetuses with congenital heart block. We recorded hypertension in 42%, proteinuria in 50% and pre-eclampsia in 25% of our patients. Proteinuria was irreversible in four cases. No maternal deaths or postpartum exacerbation of the disease were recorded in the study period. All renal flares were reversed postpartum. Patients positive for antiphospholipid antibodies had a worse perinatal outcome. Hypertension, proteinuria and antiphospholipid antibodies appear to be associated with adverse perinatal outcome and pregnancy complications. Pregnancy is not contraindicated in women with lupus nephritis, but is associated with significant fetal and maternal risks.
A 50% duty-cycle correction circuit for PLL output

A 50% duty-cycle correction circuit was proposed to tighten duty-cycle into an allowable range to increase the yield of PLLs designed with deep submicron design rules. The circuit composed of duty-detection and duty-correction sub-circuits reduces the duty-cycle fluctuation of PLLs originating from the mismatches of devices and transient responses in signal paths. The 50% duty-cycle correction circuit fabricated with a 0.6 /spl mu/m design rule demonstrated that all the input signals in the range of duty-cycle from 20 to 80% turn out to be duty-cycle fluctuation of 0.21% at the output, achieving one-three hundredths of reduction of duty-cycle fluctuation.
Propagación de información de los precios de los activos a la actividad económica

Este articulo presenta en un solo cuerpo la literatura reciente sobre un problema que viene ocupando a los economistas y de manera especial a los encargados de hacer la politica monetaria, el precio de los activos y de manera particular el de la vivienda. Se centra en la descripcion de la funcion del precio de la vivienda en el mecanismo de transmision monetaria. La vivienda resulta importante toda vez que puede funcionar como colateral en los procesos de credito para financiar consumo o inversion. La orientacion del ensayo es esencialmente normativa. Termina presentando las posibilidades que se abren a un banco central en el manejo de la inflacion.
Isolation and Characterization of a Shigella flexneri Invasin Complex Subunit Vaccine

ABSTRACT The invasiveness and virulence of Shigella spp. are largely due to the expression of plasmid-encoded virulence factors, among which are the invasion plasmid antigens (Ipa proteins). After infection, the host immune response is directed primarily against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the virulence proteins (IpaB, IpaC, and IpaD). Recent observations have indicated that the Ipa proteins (IpaB, IpaC, and possibly IpaD) form a multiprotein complex capable of inducing the phagocytic event which internalizes the bacterium. We have isolated a complex of invasins and LPS from water-extractable antigens of virulent shigellae by ion-exchange chromatography. Western blot analysis of the complex indicates that all of the major virulence antigens of Shigella, including IpaB, IpaC, and IpaD, and LPS are components of this macromolecular complex. Mice or guinea pigs immunized intranasally with purified invasin complex (invaplex), without any additional adjuvant, mounted a significant immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibody response against theShigella virulence antigens and LPS. The virulence-specific response was very similar to that previously noted in primates infected with shigellae. Guinea pigs (keratoconjunctivitis model) or mice (lethal lung model) immunized intranasally on days 0, 14, and 28 and challenged 3 weeks later with virulent shigellae were protected from disease (P < 0.01 for both animal models).
Metabolic plasticity and hematopoietic stem cell biology

Purpose of reviewHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) residing in the hypoxic niches can both self-renew and give rise to progeny. Multiple regulatory mechanisms for these cellular processes have been identified. Emerging evidence has revealed that metabolism and bioenergetics play important roles in determining stem cell fate in concert with other regulatory networks. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in this field. Recent findingsRecent studies have helped define and redefine metabolic regulation of HSCs. Resting quiescent stem cells use primarily anaerobic glycolysis for energy production and this metabolic program is required to maintain a functional quiescent state. However, when they exit this state and rapidly proliferate and differentiate into different blood cell types, a robust up-regulation of energy metabolism is expected to meet the quickly rising energy demand. Dysregulation of metabolism in HSCs results in various blood disorders, including leukemia. SummaryEnergy metabolism and HSC activity influence and interlink each other in a highly sophisticated and orchestrated manner. Understanding metabolic regulation of HSC function has significant implications for HSC-based therapies and leukemogenesis research.