Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Safety and Efficacy of Approaches to Liver Resection: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of conventional laparotomy with those of robotic and laparoscopic approaches to hepatectomy. Database: Independent reviewers conducted a systematic review of publications in PubMed and Embase, with searches limited to comparative articles of laparoscopic hepatectomy with either conventional or robotic liver approaches. Outcomes included total operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospitalization, resection margins, postoperative complications, perioperative mortality rates, and cost measures. Outcome comparisons were calculated using random-effects models to pool estimates of mean net differences or of the relative risk between group outcomes. Forty-nine articles, representing 3702 patients, comprise this analysis: 1901 (51.35%) underwent a laparoscopic approach, 1741 (47.03%) underwent an open approach, and 60 (1.62%) underwent a robotic approach. There was no difference in total operative times, surgical margins, or perioperative mortality rates among groups. Across all outcome measures, laparoscopic and robotic approaches showed no difference. As compared with the minimally invasive groups, patients undergoing laparotomy had a greater estimated blood loss (pooled mean net change, 152.0 mL; 95% confidence interval, 103.3–200.8 mL), a longer length of hospital stay (pooled mean difference, 2.22 days; 95% confidence interval, 1.78–2.66 days), and a higher total complication rate (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.57). Conclusion: Minimally invasive approaches to liver resection are as safe as conventional laparotomy, affording less estimated blood loss, shorter lengths of hospitalization, lower perioperative complication rates, and equitable oncologic integrity and postoperative mortality rates. There was no proven advantage of robotic approaches compared with laparoscopic approaches.
The Relationships among Destination Image, Perceived Quality, Emotional Place Attachment, Tourist Satisfaction, and Post-visiting Behavior Intentions

Differing from the previous studies, this study proposes a more integrated post-visiting behavior model by including emotional place attachment into the ＂image-quality-satisfaction-post-purchase behavior＂ paradigm. The structural relationships between the variables are examined using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach in a travel-related context. The results show that the new post-visiting behavior intentions model, which consists of both cognition and emotion components, gives an adequate fit to the data. The cognitive path ＂destination image-perceived quality-tourist satisfaction-post-visiting behavior intentions＂ related to the post-visiting behavior intentions is also evident. The emotional path ＂destination image-emotional place attachment-tourist satisfaction-post-visiting behavior intentions＂ related to the post-visiting behavior intentions is also evident.
Making sense of fatigue: the need for a balanced approach.

In their recent editorial on fatigue, Newton and Jones [1] comment that ‘the majority of primary care physicians believe that fatigue arises as a consequence of psychological rather than physical factors’ and imply that this may lead physicians to ‘fail before they begin’. They also go on to discuss a biological approach to the investigation and treatment of fatigue, highlighting the need to consider fatigue as ‘real’. While we agree with the need to consider biological processes in fatigued individuals, we contest that any approach that dichotomises the mind and body by focusing exclusively on either the biological or psychosocial aspects of fatigue ignores the current evidence base and is likely to be sub-optimal. We also strongly refute any suggestion that psychological disorders are any less ‘real’ than somatic conditions. Newton and Jones observe that the direction of causation between emotional distress and fatigue has been difficult to disentangle. This is true, but we would highlight the results of recent prospective studies using British birth cohorts which have shown that those with self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) had high rates of psychiatric disorder well before the onset of their fatigue symptoms [2]. We also note that other prospective studies have demonstrated that fatigue can occur without psychological distress and that emotional problems may occur as a consequence of chronic fatigue [3]. Randomized control studies have established the effectiveness of cognitive and behavioural focussed therapies in both CFS and fatigue associated with somatic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and cancer [4–7]. While clearly demonstrating the importance of psychosocial factors, these results should not be seen as evidence of chronic fatigue being a mere consequence of psychiatric distress; there is ample research demonstrating this is not the case [3,8]. Nor should they be seen as diminishing the potential impact of biological factors. We have previously demonstrated changes in immune system activity [9], cortisol levels [10] and autonomic reactivity [11] among those with chronic fatigue, but unfortunately to date attempts to identity a consistent pattern of biological abnormalities, have failed [12–14]. Given this evidence, and the recent recommendations from the UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence [15], we were surprised that Newton and Jones made no mention of psychological factors when they discussed the assessment and management of fatigue. While it is obviously important to consider physical causes, a simple mental state examination remains one of the most productive investigations in prolonged fatigue [5,16]. We agree that a better understanding of the biological aspects of fatigue is essential and share Newton and Jones’ hope that this will lead to novel treatment options. However, we would suggest caution in recommending the widespread use of pharmaceutical treatments based on small (n5 21) open label trials [17], especially given the strong evidence base for other non-pharmacological interventions.
Robust data-driven incorporation of prior knowledge into the inference of dynamic regulatory networks

Motivation: Inferring global regulatory networks (GRNs) from genome-wide data is a computational challenge central to the field of systems biology. Although the primary data currently used to infer GRNs consist of gene expression and proteomics measurements, there is a growing abundance of alternate data types that can reveal regulatory interactions, e.g. ChIP-Chip, literature-derived interactions, protein–protein interactions. GRN inference requires the development of integrative methods capable of using these alternate data as priors on the GRN structure. Each source of structure priors has its unique biases and inherent potential errors; thus, GRN methods using these data must be robust to noisy inputs. Results: We developed two methods for incorporating structure priors into GRN inference. Both methods [Modified Elastic Net (MEN) and Bayesian Best Subset Regression (BBSR)] extend the previously described Inferelator framework, enabling the use of prior information. We test our methods on one synthetic and two bacterial datasets, and show that both MEN and BBSR infer accurate GRNs even when the structure prior used has significant amounts of error (>90% erroneous interactions). We find that BBSR outperforms MEN at inferring GRNs from expression data and noisy structure priors. Availability and implementation: Code, datasets and networks presented in this article are available at http://bonneaulab.bio. nyu.edu/software.html. Contact: bonneau@nyu.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A lipopolysaccharide-binding domain of the Campylobacter fetus S-layer protein resides within the conserved N terminus of a family of silent and divergent homologs

Campylobacter fetus cells can produce multiple S-layer proteins ranging from 97 to 149 kDa, with a single form predominating in cultured cells. We have cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli a sapA homolog, sapA2, which encodes a full-length 1,109-amino-acid (112-kDa) S-layer protein. Comparison with the two previously cloned sapA homologs has demonstrated two regions of identity, approximately 70 bp before the open reading frame (ORF) and proceeding 550 bp into the ORF and immediately downstream of the ORF. The entire genome contains eight copies of each of these conserved regions. Southern analyses has demonstrated that sapA2 existed as a complete copy within the genome in all strains examined, although Northern (RNA) analysis has demonstrated that sapA2 was not expressed in the C. fetus strain from which it was cloned. Further Southern analyses revealed increasing sapA diversity as probes increasingly 3' within the ORF were used. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and then Southern blotting with the conserved N-terminal region of the sapA homologs as a probe showed that these genes were tightly clustered on the chromosome. Deletion mutagenesis revealed that the S-layer protein bound serospecifically to the C. fetus lipopolysaccharide via its conserved N-terminal region. These data indicated that the S-layer proteins shared functional activity in the conserved N terminus but diverged in a semiconservative manner for the remainder of the molecule. Variation in S-layer protein expression may involve rearrangement of complete gene copies from a single large locus containing multiple sapA homologs.
An anonymous electronic voting protocol for voting over the Internet

We propose a secure electronic voting protocol that is suitable for large scale voting over the Internet. The protocol allows a voter to cast his or her ballot anonymously, by exchanging untraceable yet authentic messages. The protocol ensures that: only eligible voters are able to cast votes; a voter is able to cast only one vote; a voter is able to verify that his or her vote is counted in the final tally; nobody, other than the voter is able to link a cast vote with a voter; and if a voter decides not to cast a vote, nobody is able to cast a fraudulent vote in place of the voter.
A Glance into the Tunnel: Experimental Evidence of Expectations Versus Comparison Considerations

Learning that others earn more may reduce individual well-being but can also be informative about the own income prospects. This paper provides experimental evidence that separates direct effects of income comparisons on well-being and informational effects from observing changes in the income of others. In an environment of uncertainty about the own income we find that both the direct comparison effects and the informational effects are asymmetric. Individual beliefs about the own income are adjusted downwards when observing that others are likely to earn less but do not change significantly when observing that others are likely to earn more. Individual satisfaction decreases when observing that others are likely to earn more but does not change significantly when observing that others are likely to earn less. Overall, individuals are more reactive to bad news than to good news .
A SURVEY OF DISEASES IN CAPTIVE RED WOLVES (CANIS RUFUS), 1997–2012

Abstract Conservation efforts to preserve the red wolf (Canis rufus) have been in progress since the 1970s through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red Wolf Recovery Program and the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's Red Wolf Species Survival Plan. An ongoing part of this project has been to monitor mortality trends, particularly to look for potential genetic conditions resulting from inbreeding given the small founding population of only 14 individuals. An initial survey was conducted in the 1990s but a comprehensive assessment of the population has not been done since then. This retrospective review evaluates mortality in the population from 1997 to 2012 through analysis of gross necropsy and histology records provided by cooperating institutions that housed red wolves during the time period of interest. Of the 378 red wolves that died during this 15-yr period, 259 animals had gross necropsy records, histology records, or both that were evaluated. The major causes of neonatal death were parental trauma, stillbirth, or pneumonia. Overall, juveniles had very low mortality rates with only 12 wolves aged 30 days to 6 mo dying during the study period. The most common cause of death within the adult populations was neoplasia, with epithelial neoplasms, carcinomas, and adenocarcinomas being the most common types reported. Gastrointestinal disease was the second most common cause of death, particularly gastric dilation and volvulus, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal perforations. These findings are in stark contrast to causes of mortality in the wild population, which are primarily due to human-related activities such as vehicular trauma, gunshot, or poisoning. Overall, the captive population has few health problems, but an increase in inflammatory bowel disease in particular warrants further investigation.
A Model of the Mammalian Circadian Oscillator Including the REVERB α Module

Many cellular and physiological processes have been shown to display a rhythm of about 24 hours. This so-called circadian rhythm is based on a system of interlocked negative and positive molecular feedback loops. Here we extend a previous model of the circadian oscillator by including REV-ERBα as an additional component. This new model will allow us to investigate the function of an additional negative feedback loop via REV-ERBα. We obtain circadian oscillations with the correct period and phase relations between clock components. Parameter variations that correspond to clock-gene mutations reproduce experimental results: With parameter variations mimicking the Bmal1 and the Per2 mutation the oscillations cease to exist. In contrast, the system shows sustained oscillations if we use a parameter set that reflects the Rev-erbα mutation. The model also accounts for the differential effect of the Cry1 and Cry2 mutations on the circadian period. The simulations of the extended model indicate that the original model is robust with respect to the incorporation of the additional component. Depending on the kinetics of the Per2/Cry transcriptional activation by BMAL1, an increasing BMAL1 expression leads to either an increase or decrease of the clock period. This indicates that overexpression experiments could help to characterize the impact of BMAL1 on Per2/Cry transcription.
NGL-2 Regulates Pathway-Specific Neurite Growth and Lamination, Synapse Formation, and Signal Transmission in the Retina

Parallel processing is an organizing principle of many neural circuits. In the retina, parallel neuronal pathways process signals from rod and cone photoreceptors and support vision over a wide range of light levels. Toward this end, rods and cones form triad synapses with dendrites of distinct bipolar cell types, and the axons or dendrites, respectively, of horizontal cells (HCs). The molecular cues that promote the formation of specific neuronal pathways remain largely unknown. Here, we discover that developing and mature HCs express the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing protein netrin-G ligand 2 (NGL-2). NGL-2 localizes selectively to the tips of HC axons, which form reciprocal connections with rods. In mice with null mutations in Ngl-2 (Ngl-2−/−), many branches of HC axons fail to stratify in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and invade the outer nuclear layer. In addition, HC axons expand lateral territories and increase coverage of the OPL, but establish fewer synapses with rods. NGL-2 can form transsynaptic adhesion complexes with netrin-G2, which we show to be expressed by photoreceptors. In Ngl-2−/− mice, we find specific defects in the assembly of presynaptic ribbons in rods, indicating that reverse signaling of complexes involving NGL-2 regulates presynaptic maturation. The development of HC dendrites and triad synapses of cone photoreceptors proceeds normally in the absence of NGL-2 and in vivo electrophysiology reveals selective defects in rod-mediated signal transmission in Ngl-2−/− mice. Thus, our results identify NGL-2 as a central component of pathway-specific development in the outer retina.
Character Strengths and Life Satisfaction of Teachers in Ghana

Character strengths are positive traits that are critical in many positive life outcomes. This study examined the distribution of character strengths and their relationship with life satisfaction among teachers in selected schools in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region in Ghana. Data from a sample of 104 basic and senior high school teachers revealed that the top 7 character strengths of the teachers were gratitude, kindness, fairness, love of learning, honesty, perspective(wisdom) and open mindedness (judgment). There was a strong positive relationship between overall character strengths and satisfaction with life. Creativity, perspective, love, teamwork, prudence, and gratitude were each significantly correlated with life satisfaction. Prudence, humour, modesty/humility, self-regulation and capacity to love and be loved each made unique and significant contribution in explaining life satisfaction with prudence making the largest unique contribution. Implications of the study and directions for future research are discussed.
Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Induced by Osthole, A Natural Coumarin, in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed tumors worldwide and is known to be resistant to conventional chemotherapy. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for treating HCC. Osthole, a natural coumarin derivative, has been shown to have anti-tumor activity. However, the effects of osthole on HCC have not yet been reported. Methods and Findings HCC cell lines were treated with osthole at various concentrations for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The proliferations of the HCC cells were measured by MTT assays. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. HCC tumor models were established in mice by subcutaneously injection of SMMC-7721 or Hepa1-6 cells and the effect of osthole on tumor growths in vivo and the drug toxicity were studied. NF-κB activity after osthole treatment was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and the expression of caspase-3 was measured by western blotting. The expression levels of other apoptosis-related genes were also determined by real-time PCR (PCR array) assays. Osthole displayed a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the HCC cell proliferations in vitro. It also induced apoptosis and caused cell accumulation in G2 phase. Osthole could significantly suppress HCC tumor growth in vivo with no toxicity at the dose we used. NF-κB activity was significantly suppressed by osthole at the dose- and time-dependent manner. The cleaved caspase-3 was also increased by osthole treatment. The expression levels of some apoptosis-related genes that belong to TNF ligand family, TNF receptor family, Bcl-2 family, caspase family, TRAF family, death domain family, CIDE domain and death effector domain family and CARD family were all increased with osthole treatment. Conclusion Osthole could significantly inhibit HCC growth in vitro and in vivo through cell cycle arrest and inducing apoptosis by suppressing NF-κB activity and promoting the expressions of apoptosis-related genes.
Species' Range: Adaptation in Space and Time

Populations living in a spatially and temporally changing environment can adapt to the changing optimum and/or migrate toward favorable habitats. Here we extend previous analyses with a static optimum to allow the environment to vary in time as well as in space. The model follows both population dynamics and the trait mean under stabilizing selection, and the outcomes can be understood by comparing the loads due to genetic variance, dispersal, and temporal change. With fixed genetic variance, we obtain two regimes: (1) adaptation that is uniform along the environmental gradient and that responds to the moving optimum as expected for panmictic populations and when the spatial gradient is sufficiently steep, and (2) a population with limited range that adapts more slowly than the environmental optimum changes in both time and space; the population therefore becomes locally extinct and migrates toward suitable habitat. We also use a population‐genetic model with many loci to allow genetic variance to evolve, and we show that the only solution now has uniform adaptation.
Activation of a novel c-Myc-miR27-prohibitin 1 circuitry in cholestatic liver injury inhibits glutathione synthesis in mice.

AIMS We showed that chronic cholestatic liver injury induced the expression of c-Myc but suppressed that of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL, composed of catalytic and modifier subunits GCLC and GCLM, respectively). This was associated with reduced nuclear antioxidant response element (ARE) binding by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Here, we examined whether c-Myc is involved in this process. RESULTS Similar to bile duct ligation (BDL), lithocholic acid (LCA) treatment in vivo induced c-Myc but suppressed GCL subunits expression at day 14. Nrf2 expression and Nrf2 ARE binding fell markedly. However, Nrf2 heterodimerization with MafG was enhanced by LCA, which prompted us to examine whether LCA treatment in vivo altered proteins that bind to ARE using biotinylated ARE in pull-down assay followed by proteomics. LCA treatment enhanced c-Myc but lowered prohibitin 1 (PHB1) binding to ARE. This was a result of c-Myc-mediated induction of microRNA 27a/b (miR27a/b), which target both PHB1 and Nrf2 to reduce their expression. Knockdown of c-Myc or miR27a/b attenuated LCA-mediated suppression of Nrf2, PHB1, and GCL subunit expression, whereas overexpression of PHB1 protected against the fall in Nrf2 and GCL subunits. Both c-Myc and PHB1 directly interact with Nrf2 but c-Myc lowers Nrf2 binding to ARE while PHB1 enhances it. INNOVATION This is the first work that shows how activation of this circuit in cholestatic liver injury inhibits GCL expression. CONCLUSIONS LCA feeding and BDL activate c-Myc-miR27a/b-PHB1 circuit, with the consequence of inhibiting Nrf2 expression and ARE binding, resulting in decreased reduced glutathione synthesis and antioxidant capacity.