Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the Chemotactic Activity of Heparin Cofactor II Proteolysis Products

The physiological function of the serpin (serine proteinase inhibitor) heparin cofactor II (HCII) is not well understood. A role for HCII as an inhibitor of thrombin in the presence of dermatan sulfate and heparin has been proposed. Neutrophils (PMN) are the major cellular component of acute inflammation. HCII can be proteolytically inactivated by cathepsin G (CG) and elastase (LE), which are released by stimulated PMN. We have recently shown that reaction products of HCII with CG and LE are potent chemotaxins for PMN. Monocytes (monos) appear later in the course of inflammation than do PMN. They differentiate into macrophages in the tissues and participate in healing of damaged tissue and initiating immune responses. We found that the proteolysis products of HCII were chemotactic for monocytes in a fashion similar to their effects on PMN. At 10‐8 to 10‐9 M, the chemotactic activity of HCII proteolysis products was comparable to that of 10‐8 M N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe (fMLP). The chemotactic activity of HCII‐proteinase reaction products is mediated by a different mechanism than that of α1 proteinase inhibitor (α1PI)‐LE complexes or fMLP. Our data suggest that chemotactic activity generated by proteolysis of HCII is not due to the conformational change induced by cleavage of the exposed loop near the reactive site nor by release of the reactive site peptide. We also compared the effects of HCII reaction products and fMLP on expression of Mac‐1 and p150,95 adhesive proteins. Mac‐1 has been implicated in mono adhesion and chemotaxis and as a potential initiator of coagulation. The surface expression of Mac‐1 was not increased above control levels by incubation of leukocytes with HCII digests, even though fMLP did increase surface Mac‐1. Proteolysis products of HCII could play a role in the initial influx of PMN into a thrombus, and in the transition from acute to chronic inflammation, or to granulation and healing.
An Overview on Peripheral Vascular Disease in Blackfoot Disease-Hyperendemic Villages in Taiwan

The arsenic-related peripheral vascular disease found to be endemic along the southwestern coast of Taiwan is reviewed. In the early 20th century a strange disease involving the lower extremities characterized by typical clinical symptoms and signs of progressive arterial occlusion was reported in a confined area located along the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The disease was locally called "blackfoot disease" because of its gangrenous appearance involving the feet of the patients. The prevalence of this disease ranged from 6.51 to 18.85 per 1,000 population in different villages. Epidemiologic studies revealed that blackfoot disease was associated with the consumption of artesian well water containing high levels of arsenic. High co-occurrence of blackfoot disease and arsenic-related skin lesions such as hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and skin cancer was also observed. Recent studies also confirmed the asso ciation of preclinical peripheral vascular disease with arsenic exposure in a dose-response pattern. Subclinical arterial insufficiency and defects in cutaneous microcirculation can also be demonstrated in seemingly normal subjects living in the endemic villages. The incidence of clinical manifestation of blackfoot disease decreased dramatically after the implementation of tap water in these villages over the past 2-3 decades. The atherogenicity of arsenic could be associated with its effects on hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, smooth muscle cell proliferation, somatic mutation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, its interaction with some trace elements and its association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus could also explain part of its higher risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: What Is the Impact on Postoperative Outcome and Oncologic Results?

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gGISTs). BACKGROUND The feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for gGIST resection has been demonstrated; however, its impact on outcomes, particularly its oncologic safety for tumors greater than 5 cm, remains unknown. METHODS Among 1413 patients treated for a GIST in 61 European centers between 2001 and 2013, patients who underwent primary resection for a gGIST smaller than 20 cm (N = 666), by either laparoscopy (group L, n = 282) or open surgery (group O, n = 384), were compared. Multivariable analyses and propensity score matching were used to compensate for differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS In-hospital mortality and morbidity rates in groups L and O were 0.4% versus 2.1% (P = 0.086) and 11.3% vs 19.5% (P = 0.004), respectively. Laparoscopic resection was independently protective against in-hospital morbidity (odds ratio 0.54, P = 0.014). The rate of R0 resection was 95.7% in group L and 92.7% in group O (P = 0.103). After 1:1 propensity score matching (n = 224), the groups were comparable according to age, sex, tumor location and size, mitotic index, American Society of Anesthesiology score, and the extent of surgical resection. After adjustment for BMI, overall morbidity (10.3% vs 19.6%; P = 0.005), surgical morbidity (4.9% vs 9.8%; P = 0.048), and medical morbidity (6.2% vs 13.4%; P = 0.01) were significantly lower in group L. Five-year recurrence-free survival was significantly better in group L (91.7% vs 85.2%; P = 0.011). In tumors greater than 5 cm, in-hospital morbidity and 5-year recurrence-free survival were similar between the groups (P = 0.255 and P = 0.423, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic resection for gGISTs is associated with favorable short-term outcomes without compromising oncologic results.
Dissolution Rate Enhancement by Adsorption of Poorly Soluble Drugs on Hydrophilic Silica Aerogels

The aim of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of hydrophilic silica aerogels as drug carriers and to investigate the influence of the aerogels properties on the release rate of poorly water‐soluble drugs. Hydrophilic silica aerogels of different densities were loaded with two model drugs, ketoprofen and griseofulvin, by adsorption from their solution in supercritical CO2. It is demonstrated that up to 30 wt% of ketoprofen and 5.4 wt% of griseofulvin can be deposited on hydrophilic aerogels through physical adsorption. The obtained drug‐aerogel formulations were characterized by IR‐ and UV‐spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Release kinetics of both drugs were studied in vitro. The release rate of ketoprofen from the drug‐aerogel formulation is much faster than that of the corresponding crystalline drugs. The release rate of ketoprofen increases in 500% and that of griseofulvin in 450%, respectively. The reasons for the release enhancement are the enlarged specific surface area of drugs by adsorption on aerogels compared to their crystalline form and the immediate collapse of aerogel network in aqueous media. The dissolution rate of poorly water soluble drugs can be significantly enhanced by adsorption on highly porous hydrophilic silica aerogels.
The Effect of the Electoral Calendar on Politicians' Selection into Legislative Cohorts and Legislative Behavior in Argentina, 1983–2007

How do electoral opportunities affect politicians' career strategies? Do politicians behave strategically in response to the opportunities provided by the electoral calendar? We argue that in a legislature that combines nonstatic ambition with a staggered electoral calendar, different kinds of politicians will have dissimilar preferences towards running in concurrent or midterm elections. More specifically, politicians with no previous executive experience should strategically run in midterm legislative elections in order to increase their visibility among voters, while more experienced politicians should opt for concurrent elections. We support these claims with data from the Argentine Chamber of Deputies between 1983 and 2007.
Interleukin‐10 modulates susceptibility in experimental cerebral malaria

In this study, we examined the effects of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) on the outcome of experimental cerebral malaria (CM), a lethal neurological syndrome that occurs in susceptible strains of mice after infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). Constitutive IL‐10 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the spleen and brain of resistant animals. In vivo neutralization of endogenous IL‐10 in CM‐resistant mice induced the neurological syndrome in 35·7% of these mice, as opposed to 7·7% in controls. IL‐10 inhibited PbA antigen‐specific interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production in vitro but not tumour necrosis factor (TNF) serum levels in vivo. Susceptible mice, on the other hand, were significantly protected against CM when injected with recombinant IL‐10. Overall, our findings suggest that IL‐10 plays a protective role against experimental cerebral malaria.
Fields of Muscular and Anhidrotic Effects of 2 Botulinum Toxin-A Commercial Preparations: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND Longevity of effects and dose equivalence of different botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) preparations need to be better clarified because BoNT-A units are manufacturer-specific. These points are of particular importance for new brands emerging in the market. OBJECTIVE To assess the field of muscular and anhidrotic effects of 2 commercial preparations of BoNT-A (incobotulinumtoxinA: Xeomin [XEO]; abobotulinumtoxinA: Dysport [DYS]) administered to the upper third of the face. METHODS Patients were randomized for the side of the forehead (left or right) in which the products were administered. All were treated receiving BoNT-A injections in 10 points (5 on each side) at a dose equivalence of 1.0:2.5 U (XEO:DYS). Clinical assessments and Minor test were performed at baseline and Days 28, 84, 112, and 140. Electromyography was performed at baseline and Days 28 and 140, and ultrasound was performed only at baseline. RESULTS Eighty patients were enrolled in 2 research centers. Xeomin and DYS presented similar results regarding fields of muscular effects. However, a larger field of anhidrotic effects was found for DYS. There was a positive correlation between the muscle thickness and electromyography results. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that a lower dose equivalence between DYS and XEO could be established.
Automated adaptive heart interbeat time extraction from long term noisy and variable ECG signals

We describe the development of an automated, adaptive method to obtain the time interval between successive heart beats from noisy and highly variable electrocardiography signals. These interbeat time series are critical to the fractal characterization of cardiac health. When the biophysical measurement is severely tainted with noise from multiple sources, there is a need for algorithms to robustly extract the important patterns from the signal in question. The proposed method yields interevent times that are in close agreement with those obtained by manual extraction, while significantly reducing the requisite processing time. The algorithm can be extended to other applications where simple threshold-based extraction methods fall short
Trichoadenoma of Nikolowski

Trichoadenoma of Nikolowski is a rare benign tumor of the skin with hair follicle‐like direction of differentiation. This tumor is less mature than trichofolliculoma and more differentized than tri‐choepithelioma. Probably because of its rarity it has not been a well recognized tumor. We are reporting on eight cases of trichoadenoma to further define this benign growth.
Do public smoking bans have an impact on active smoking? Evidence from the UK.

The literature on the effects of public smoking bans on smoking behaviour presents conflicting results and there is limited evidence on their impact on active smoking. This paper evaluates the impact of smoking bans on active smoking using data from the British Household Panel Survey and exploiting the policy experiment provided by the differential timing of the introduction of the bans in Scotland and England. We assess the short-term impact of the smoking bans by employing a series of flexible difference-in-differences fixed effects panel data models. We find that the introduction of the public smoking bans in England and Scotland had limited short-run effects on both smoking prevalence and the total level of smoking. Although we identify significant differences in trends in smoking consumption across the survey period by population sub-groups, we find insufficient evidence to conclude that these were affected by the introduction of the smoking bans. These results challenge those found in the public health literature but are in line with the most recent strand of economic literature indicating that there is no firm evidence on the effects of smoking bans on smoking.
A role for mechanosensitive channels in survival of stationary phase: Regulation of channel expression by RpoS

The mechanosensitive (MS) channels MscS and MscL are essential for the survival of hypoosmotic shock by Escherichia coli cells. We demonstrate that MscS and MscL are induced by osmotic stress and by entry into stationary phase. Reduced levels of MS proteins and reduced expression of mscL– and mscS–LacZ fusions in an rpoS mutant strain suggested that the RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing σS is responsible, at least in part, for regulating production of MS channel proteins. Consistent with the model that the effect of σS is direct, the MscS and MscL promoters both use RNA polymerase containing σS in vitro. Conversely, clpP or rssB mutations, which cause enhanced levels of σS, show increased MS channel protein synthesis. RpoS null mutants are sensitive to hypoosmotic shock upon entry into stationary phase. These data suggest that MscS and MscL are components of the RpoS regulon and play an important role in ensuring structural integrity in stationary phase bacteria.
Reactivation of type 1 diabetes in patients receiving human fetal pancreatic tissue transplants without immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND Insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes is a cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Successful transplantation of human fetal pancreatic tissue into type 1 diabetic patients must address both autoimmunity and allograft rejection. We investigated whether humoral and cellular responses to islet antigens could be demonstrated in the peripheral blood of type 1 diabetic subjects receiving human fetal pancreatic tissue transplants. METHODS We investigated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responses, using cellular immunoblotting, and autoantibody responses to islet proteins, before transplantation and at 3-month intervals after transplantation. Our study population included nine long-term type 1 diabetes patients (mean disease duration of 21 years) receiving human fetal pancreatic tissue subcutaneously into the abdominal wall without immunosuppression. RESULTS Before transplantation, all nine subjects tested negative for islet cell autoantibody (ICA), and seven of nine subjects tested positive for glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody (GADAb). After transplantation, all subjects became ICA(+), and the two patients who were GADAb(-) before transplantation, became GADAb(+) after transplantation. Maximum PBMC reactivity to separated human fetal pancreatic proteins was observed in four patients at 3 months, in one patient at 6 months, in two patients at 9 months, and in one patient at 12 months after transplantation. One subject, who had PBMC reactivity to multiple islet proteins before transplantation, continued to respond to multiple islet proteins throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the development in the peripheral blood of ICA, GADAb, and PBMC reactivity to human fetal pancreatic proteins in the transplant recipients is most consistent with reactivation of the type 1 diabetes disease process.
Clinical versus statistical significance as they relate to the efficacy of periodontal therapy.

BACKGROUND The author discusses the shortcomings of using statistical significance testing as a method to infer that results of periodontal clinical trials are clinically meaningful. To compensate for these deficiencies, he also identifies criteria and periodontal parameters that can be used to reflect clinically significant outcomes. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED The author searched the medical and dental literature to identify commentaries that addressed the problems associated with interpreting statistical significance testing, or hypothesis testing, and defining clinical significance. RESULTS The limitations of statistical significance testing related to identifying clinically significant changes include failure to indicate if the detected differences between variables in test and control groups are large or important. After reviewing various definitions of the term "clinical significance," the author reviews and proposes a comprehensive working definition of it. Regarding the efficacy of periodontal therapy, he delineates the advantages and limitations of specific criteria (such as absolute values, cut points) that can be used to define clinical significance. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The author suggests that clinically significant results should be defined before initiating a study and statistical significance testing should be used to validate that findings did not occur by chance. This would help place the importance of clinical data into perspective, and it would enhance clinicians' ability to select the most appropriate therapies for particular sites in periodontal patients.
Prevalence and Antigenic Differences Observed between Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Subgenotypes Isolated from Cattle in Australia and Feedlots in the Southwestern United States

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is divided into 2 different species within the Pestivirus genus, BVDV type 1 (BVDV-1) and BVDV type 2 (BVDV-2). Further phylogenetic analysis has revealed subgenotype groupings within the 2 types. Thus far, 12 BVDV-1 subgenotypes (a–l) and 2 BVDV-2 subgenotypes (a and b) have been identified. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of BVDV subgenotypes in the United States and Australia and to determine if there are detectable antigenic differences between the prevalent subgenotypes. To determine prevalence, phylogenetic analysis was performed on 2 blinded panels of isolates consisting of 351 viral isolates provided by the Elizabeth Macarthur Laboratory, New South Wales, and 514 viral isolates provided by Oklahoma State University. Differences were observed in the prevalence of BVDV subgenotypes between the United States (BVDV-1b most prevalent subgenotype) and Australia (BVDV-1c most prevalent subgenotype). To examine antigenic differences between the subgenotypes identified in samples from the United States and Australia, polyclonal antisera was produced in goats by exposing them at 3-week intervals to 2 noncytopathic and 1 cytopathic strain of either BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, BVDV-1c, BVDV-2a, or Border disease virus (BDV). Virus neutralization (VN) assays were then performed against 3 viruses from each of the 5 subgenotypes. Comparison of VN results suggests that there are antigenic differences between BVDV strains belonging to different subgenotypes. The present study establishes a foundation for further studies examining whether vaccine protection can be improved by basing vaccines on the BVDV subgenotypes prevalent in the region in which the vaccine is to be used.
Cell Cycle–Dependent Antagonistic Interactions between Paclitaxel and γ-Radiation in Combination Therapy

Purpose: The promising clinical activity of paclitaxel, a naturally occurring antimicrotubule agent, has promoted considerable interest in combining this drug with radiation therapy, but it remains unclear whether such a combination would increase the therapeutic efficacy. This study is to assess the potential interactions between paclitaxel and γ-radiation against human tumor cells in vitro. Experimental Design: Paclitaxel and γ-radiation were administered in three different sequences designated as pre-radiated, co-radiated, and post-radiated to BCap37 (human breast cancer cell line) and KB (human epidermoid carcinoma cell line) cells. The cytotoxic interactions between and mutual influences of these two agents on their antitumor activities were analyzed by a series of assays including cytotoxic, morphological, and biochemical examinations. Results: The combination of paclitaxel and γ-radiation did not produce a synergistic or additive effect. Instead, the overall in vitro cytotoxicity of these combinations was much lower than that of paclitaxel treatment alone. DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric assays showed that the addition of γ-radiation interfered with paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Further analyses indicated that the addition of γ-radiation resulted in a transient or prolonged cell cycle arrest at G2 phase, which likely prevented the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel on both mitotic arrest and apoptosis. In addition, biochemical examinations revealed that γ-radiation inhibited paclitaxel-induced IκBα degradation and bcl-2 phosphorylation and increased the protein levels of cyclin B1 and inhibitory phosphorylation of p34cdc2. Conclusions: Our results suggest that γ-radiation might specifically block the cell cycle at G2 phase, which in turn prevents the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel on both mitotic arrest and apoptosis. Therefore, it eventually results in a cell cycle-dependent antagonistic effect on the antitumor activity of paclitaxel. This finding may be relevant to the clinical application of combination therapy with paclitaxel and radiation.
New‐onset diabetes mellitus after pediatric liver transplantation

In the first five yr after liver transplant, approximately one in 10 pediatric recipients will develop NODAT. Factors associated with higher risk for NODAT have been difficult to identify due to lack of uniformity in reporting and data collection. Limited studies have reported higher risk in those who are at an older age at transplant, those with high‐risk ethnic backgrounds, and in those with particular underlying conditions, such as CF and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Immunosuppressive medications, including tacrolimus, cyclosporine A, GC, and sirolimus, have been implicated as contributing to NODAT, to varying degrees. Identifying those at highest risk, appropriately screening, and diagnosing NODAT is critical to initiating timely treatment and avoiding potential complications. In the pediatric population, treatment is limited primarily to insulin, with some consideration for metformin. Children with NODAT should be monitored carefully for complications of DM, including microalbuminuria, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and retinopathy.
Investigation in the readability and reliability of Basic Offshore Safety and Emergency (B.O.S.E.T) test

This paper presents the development of a Basic Offshore Safety and Emergency Training (B.O.S.E.T) knowledge test. The knowledge test is a research tool that is meant to measure B.O. S.E. T knowledge retention among offshore professionals. The objective of this paper is to validate a research tool by using key test elements such as validity, reliability and readability. The knowledge test was subjected to Face Validity and Content Validity. Then, a reliability test (Cronbach Alpha) was calculated and proved the knowledge test as reliable. After that, three (3) readability tests (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Test, Flesch Reading Ease Test and Gunning's Fog Index Test) were used to determine the suitability of test language. The results suggest that the knowledge test is reliable and valid as well as suitability in the use of language for target population