Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maintenance interventions for overweight or obesity in children: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Childhood obesity is associated with significant health consequences. Although several intervention programmes for children result in weight loss or stabilization in the short‐term, preventing relapse after treatment remains an important challenge. This systematic review summarizes the evidence about maintenance interventions after treatment in childhood obesity. Studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL and SocINDEX. The primary outcome measure for this review was body mass index standard deviation score (BMI‐Z‐score). Data were pooled using quality effect models.
A model of acquired autoresistance to a potent ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a therapeutic strategy to prevent its onset in breast cancer

The development of acquired resistance to ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors limits the clinical efficacy of this class of cancer therapeutics. Little is known about the mechanism(s) of acquired resistance to these agents. Here we establish a model of acquired resistance to N-{3-chloro-4-[(3-fluorobenzyl) oxy]phenyl}-6-[5-({[2 (methylsulfonyl)ethyl]amino}methyl)-2-furyl]-4-quinazolinamine (lapatinib), an inhibitor of ErbB2 and ErbB1 tyrosine kinases by chronically exposing lapatinib-sensitive ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells to lapatinib, simulating the clinic where lapatinib is administered on a daily chronic basis. Analysis of baseline gene expression in acquired lapatinib-resistant and parental cells indicates estrogen receptor (ER) signaling involvement in the development of resistance. Using gene interference, we confirm that acquired resistance to lapatinib is mediated by a switch in cell survival dependence and regulation of a key antiapoptotic mediator from ErbB2 alone to codependence upon ER and ErbB2 rather than loss of ErbB2 expression or insensitivity of ErbB2 signaling to lapatinib. Increased ER signaling in response to lapatinib is enhanced by the activation of factors facilitating the transcriptional activity of ER, notably FOXO3a and caveolin-1. Importantly, we confirm that lapatinib induces ER signaling in tumor biopsies from patients with ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers receiving lapatinib therapy. These findings provided the rationale for preventing the development of acquired resistance by simultaneously inhibiting both ER and ErbB2 signaling pathways. Establishing clinically relevant models of acquired resistance to ErbB2 kinase inhibitors will enhance therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes for patients with ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers.
Comparative Budgetary Approaches in Public Organizations

The aim of this article is to give a comprehensive discussion of the four main approaches to budgeting, starting off with line item budgeting, program and performance budgeting, planning programming budgeting system and zero-base budgeting. The discussion covers the history, concept, procedures, advantages and disadvantages of each specified approach. The motivation behind this discussion was to seek a better understanding and familiarity with each of the various approaches to budgeting. None of them, however, can be regarded as a complete solution to budget problems. Each approach carries both strengths and weaknesses and thus cannot be applied indiscriminately to any given situation or financial environment. A solution for any budget problem depends on the nature of the organization affected and hence would require a thorough assessment of its operating environment before being carried out. Keywords : Line item budget, Program and performance budget, Planning programming budgeting system, Zero-base budgeting, Decision making, Financial planning
Prognostic Significance of Cavitary Lung Nodules in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's): A Clinical Imaging Study of 225 Patients

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis in which pulmonary nodules are a common manifestation. Our study examined whether pulmonary nodules, and nodule type (solid versus cavitary), are associated with different disease manifestations and outcomes.
Dietary supplementation of finishing pigs with the docosahexaenoic acid-rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum: effects on performance, carcass characteristics and tissue fatty acid profile

Objective The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA) on pig performance, carcass traits, and the fatty acid composition of pork Longissimus lumborum (LL) and backfat. Methods A total of 144 Pig Improvement Company (PIC)×Goland finishing pigs (72 females and 72 castrated males) of mean weight 117.1 (±13.1) kg were blocked by sex and body weight and provided with 0% or 1% AURA in isonutritive and isocaloric diets. A total of 24 pens provided 12 replicates per treatment. Animals were weighed on day 0 and 28 with feed and water intake recorded per pen. After 31 days supplementation (28 days of study and 3 days until the slaughtering date) three animals per pen (n = 72) were slaughtered and the LL and backfat thickness, lean meat content and dressing percentage were recorded for the carcasses. The fatty acid (FA) profile of the LL and backfat was established by direct FA methyl ester synthesis. Results No differences were observed for any performance parameters or carcass traits. Supplementation with AURA resulted in significant changes to the FA profiles of both the LL and backfat with male and female pigs responding differently to supplementation in terms of particular FAs. Overall, pork LL samples had significantly higher eicosapentaenoic acid (p<0.001) and DHA concentrations (p<0.001), and higher omega-3 (n-3) FAs (p<0.001), as well as an increased omega3:omega6 (n-3:n-6) ratio (p = 0.001). For backfat, supplementation resulted in significantly higher amounts of DHA (p<0.001) and n-3 FAs (p<0.001). Conclusion These results indicate that dietary supplementation with 1% AURA over a 31 day period can increase the FA composition of pork LL and backfat, specifically the DHA, with no major impact on growth performance and carcass traits.
Restructuring the Philadelphia Region: Metropolitan Divisions and Inequality

List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Introduction: Expanding the Focus 1. Expansion, Decline, and Geographies of Inequality 2. Employment Opportunity 3. Housing Opportunity 4. Educational Opportunity 5. The Region's Communities and the Value Proposition 6. Who Takes Responsibility for Addressing Inequality? Appendix 1: Constructing the Community Typology Appendix 2: NAICS Coding for Industrial Classification Appendix 3: Lowest- and Higest-Achieving Districts: Organizational and Housing Characteristics Notes Index
Job displacement and labor market outcomes by skill level

This paper investigates the effects of displacement on outcomes such as annual earnings, unemployment, wages and hours worked. It relies on previously unexplored administrative data on all displaced workers in Sweden in 2002, 2003 and 2004 which are linked to employer-employee matched data at the individual level. By linking the data to military enlistment records, the paper assesses the selection into displacement and finds that workers with low cognitive and noncognitive skills are significantly more likely to be displaced than high-skilled workers. The analysis of displacement effects shows evidence of large and long-lasting welfare costs from displacement. Moreover, studying the heterogenous impacts of job displacement in terms of cognitive and noncognitive skills reveals that although workers with high skills fare better than low-skilled workers in absolute terms, there are no significant differences in the recovery rates between skill groups. Finally, by using administrative data on displacements, it is possible to assess quantitatively the bias that results from not being able to separate quits from layoffs in earlier studies
Production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by mononuclear cells of patients with multiple sclerosis treated with glatiramer acetate, interferon-β 1a, and high doses of immunoglobulins

Sixty, relapsing remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, who underwent treatment with glatiramer acetate (GA), interferon (IFN)-β 1a, and immunoglobulins (Igs) (20 per treatment group), were assessed for levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the supernatants of unstimulated and stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the first year of treatment. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), anti-OKT3 antibody, myelin basic protein (MPB) and GA were used as stimuli. Cytokine responses by ELISPOT and lymphoproliferative responses were also assessed. The GA-treated MS patient group showed a progressive increase in BDNF levels, from baseline to month three; thereafter, the levels remained stable and significantly greater compared with baseline and controls (ANOVA=P<0.001). IFN-β 1a had no effect on BDNF production, whereas Igs induced a slight decrease (ANOVA=P<0.04). ELISPOT analysis revealed a significant decrease of IFN-γ, an increase of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in GA-treated MS patients, and an increase of IL-10 in patients treated with IFN-β 1a and GA. No significant correlation was found between BDNF secretion in the supernatants of PBMCs and cytokine response, lesional load, and measures of atrophy. Increased BDNF production related to GA treatment can have implications for understanding the mechanism of action of this immunomodulatory agent, in light of evidence suggesting its effects in promoting neuroprotective immunity in MS patients; however, a clinically measurable effect, especially in terms of an impact on actual disease progression, remains to be established. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 313-331. http://msj.sagepub. com
Utility values for childhood obesity interventions: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the evidence for use in economic evaluation

Rigorous estimates of preference‐based utilities are important inputs into economic evaluations of childhood obesity interventions, yet no published review currently exists examining utility by weight status in paediatric populations. A comprehensive systematic literature review and meta‐analysis was therefore undertaken, pooling data on preference‐based health state utilities by weight status in children using a random‐effects model. Tests for heterogeneity were performed, and publication bias was assessed. Of 3,434 potentially relevant studies identified, 11 met our eligibility criteria. Estimates of Cohen's d statistic suggested a small effect of weight status on preference‐based utilities. Mean utility values were estimated as 0.85 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 0.84–0.87), 0.83 (95% UI 0.81–0.85), 0.82 (95% UI 0.79–0.84) and 0.83 (95% UI 0.80–0.86) for healthy weight, overweight, obese and overweight/obese states, respectively. Meta‐analysis of studies reporting utility values for both healthy weight and overweight/obese participants found a statistically significant weighted mean difference (0.015, 95% UI 0.003–0.026). A small but statistically significant difference was also estimated between healthy weight and overweight participants (0.011, 95% UI 0.004–0.018). Study findings suggest that paediatric‐specific benefits of obesity interventions may not be well reflected by available utility measures, potentially underestimating cost‐effectiveness if weight loss in childhood/adolescence improves health or well‐being.
Sex Discrepancy in the Canal/Body Ratio of the Cervical Spine Implicating the Prevalence of Cervical Myelopathy in Men

Study Design. A radiographic analysis of the cervical spine in healthy young adults. Objectives. To investigate the size correlations among the vertebral height, the anteroposterior diameter of the vertebral body, and the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal and to investigate the sex discrepancy of the canal/body ratio. Summary of Background Data. Narrow spinal canal, large vertebral body, and male gender have been thought to be risk factors for cervical myelopathy. However, the association among those risk factors has been seldom analyzed. Methods. The height and the anteroposterior diameter of the vertebral body as well as the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal were measured on the lateral radiographs of healthy young adults (105 men and 114 women) using a distance-measuring tool of computer software. The canal/body ratio was compared between men and women. Results. The height and the anteroposterior diameter of the vertebral body were both larger in males than in females throughout C3–C7, but the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal was similar for both sexes. The height of the vertebral body was not correlated with the spinal canal size at any measured segment in both sexes, whereas the anteroposterior diameter of the vertebral body was significantly correlated with the size of the spinal canal in males but not in females. The canal/body ratio was significantly larger in women than in men. Conclusions. A significantly small canal/body ratio in men may implicate the male prevalence of cervical myelopathy.
Malawi : an atlas of social statistics

The National Statistical Office (NSO) of the government of Malawi was established after independence in 1964 and operates through the 1967 Statistics Act for the collection, compilation, analysis, abstraction and publication of statistical information on a wide range of topics. The mission of the National Statistical Office is to provide and promote accurate, appropriate, high quality, and timely statistical information for use in both the public and the private sectors for policy formulation, decision-making, research and general public awareness for the advancement of the socioeconomic status of all Malawians. The NSO headquarters are in Zomba, with regional office in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu. The mission of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is to identify and analyze policies for sustainably meeting the food needs of the developing world. Research at IFPRI concentrates on economic growth and poverty alleviation in low-income countries, improvement of the well-being of poor people, and sound management of the natural resource base that supports agriculture. IFPRI seeks to make its research results available to all those in a position to use them and to strengthen institutions in developing countries that conduct research relevant to its mandate. IFPRI researchers have worked in Malawi since the late-1980's, supporting policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and civil society in their efforts to help the poor and malnourished. The work presented in this document emanates from IFPRI's programme of technical assistance to the Malawi Poverty Monitoring System undertaken between 1998 and 2001. This atlas was published with the financial assistance of the Rockefeller Foundation, which is a knowledge based , global foundation with a commitment to enrich and sustain the lives and livelihoods of poor and excluded people throughout the world. This atlas is a product of the Foundation's efforts to support activities aimed at informing policy development, program design and resource allocation by providing local level, multifaceted information on food, work, health and other human conditions that are needed to understand and address the root causes of poverty. Preface iii Foreword iv Acknowledgements v Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Malawi-administrative districts 6 Malawi-elevation and other features 7 Traditional authorities of northern Malawi and part of central Malawi 8 Traditional authorities of southern Malawi and Ntcheu district of central Malawi 9 Administrative wards of the four major urban centers of Malawi 10
Multi-Year Impacts of Ecotourism on Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Visitation at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

In-water viewing of sharks by tourists has become a popular and lucrative industry. There is some concern that interactions with tourists with ecotourism operations might harm sharks through disruption of behaviours. Here, we analysed five years of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) encounter data by an ecotourism industry at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, to assess the impact of ecotourism interactions on shark visitation, within the context of the biological and physical oceanography of the region. Our data base consisted of 2823 encounter records for 951 individual whale sharks collected by ecotourism operators between 2007 and 2011. We found that total encounters per whale shark and encounters per boat trip increased through time. On average, whale sharks re-encountered in subsequent years were encountered earlier, stayed longer and tended to be encountered more often within a season than sharks that were only encountered in a single year. Sequential comparisons between years did not show any patterns consistent with disturbance and the rate of departure of whale sharks from the aggregation was negatively correlated to the number of operator trips. Overall, our analysis of this multi-year data base found no evidence that interactions with tourists affected the likelihood of whale shark re-encounters and that instead, physical and biological environmental factors had a far greater influence on whale shark visitation rates. Our approach provides a template for assessing the effects of ecotourism interactions and environmental factors on the visitation patterns of marine megafauna over multiple years.
Current Account Adjustment in EU Countries: Does Euro-Area Membership Make a Difference?

The paper evaluates current account dynamics in countries with different exchange rate regimes within the EU. In this, the empirical analysis explicitly differentiates between countries with a flexible and a fixed exchange rate regime and members of a monetary union. In addition, we model the adjustment process of external disequilibria by referring to the flexibility of exchange rates and interest rates. The sample covers annual data for 27 EU countries from 1994 to 2011. The estimation is based on a simple autoregressive model and comes to the conclusion that current account adjustment is significantly hampered in countries that are members of a monetary union. This holds particularly in comparison with floating exchange rate regimes owing to lower exchange rate flexibility. However, the persistence of current account balances in member countries of a monetary union is also more pronounced than in fixed-rate regimes due to less flexible interest rates as a result of the single monetary policy.
Expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 in the prostate gland and its association with the severity of prostate cancer

Chronic inflammation has been postulated to be an important driving force to prostate carcinoma. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) compose a family of receptors mainly expressed on immune cells. Recently, functional TLRs have been shown to be also expressed in numerous cancer cells, but their significance has only recently begun to be explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the putative role of TLR4 expression in prostate carcinoma.
Predicting DNA Hybridization Kinetics from Sequence

Hybridization is a key molecular process in biology and biotechnology, but to date there is no predictive model for accurately determining hybridization rate constants based on sequence information. To approach this problem systematically, we first performed 210 fluorescence kinetics experiments to observe the hybridization kinetics of 100 different DNA target and probe pairs (subsequences of the CYCS and VEGF genes) at temperatures ranging from 28 °C to 55 °C. Next, we rationally designed 38 features computable based on sequence, each feature individually correlated with hybridization kinetics. These features are used in our implementation of a weighted neighbor voting (WNV) algorithm, in which the hybridization rate constant of an unknown sequence is predicted based on similarity reactions with known rate constants (a.k.a. labeled instances). Automated feature selection and weighting optimization resulted in a final 6-feature WNV model, which can predict hybridization rate constants of new sequences to within a factor of 2 with ≈74% accuracy and within a factor of 3 with ≈92% accuracy, based on leave-one-out cross-validation. Predictive understanding of hybridization kinetics allows more efficient design of nucleic acid probes, for example in allowing sparse hybrid-capture panels to more quickly and economically enrich desired regions from genomic DNA.
Effects of low dietary cation-anion difference induced by ruminal ammonium chloride infusion on performance, serum, and urine metabolites of lactating dairy cows

Objective The objective of the present study was to determine ammonium chloride tolerance of lactating dairy cows, by examining effects of negative dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) induced by ruminal ammonium chloride infusion on performance, serum and urine minerals, serum metabolites and enzymes of lactating dairy cows. Methods Four primiparous lactating Chinese Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas were infused with increasing amounts (0, 150, 300, or 450 g/d) of ammonium chloride in a crossover design. The DCAD of the base diet was 279 mEq/kg dry matter (DM) using the DCAD formula (Na + K – Cl – S)/kg of DM. Ammonium chloride infusion added the equivalent of 0, 128, 330, and 536 mEq/kg DM of Cl in treatments. According to the different dry matter intakes (DMI), the resulting actual DCAD of the four treatments was 279, 151, −51, and −257 mEq/kg DM, respectively. Results DMI decreased linearly as DCAD decreased. Yields of milk, 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, milk fat, and milk protein decreased linearly as DCAD decreased. Concentrations of milk protein and milk urea nitrogen increased linearly with decreasing DCAD. Concentration of Cl− in serum increased linearly and concentration of PO43- in serum increased quadratically as DCAD decreased. Urine pH decreased linearly and calculated urine volume increased linearly with decreasing DCAD. Linear increases in daily urinary excretion of Cl−, Ca2+, PO43−, urea N, and ammonium were observed as DCAD decreased. Activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transferase in serum and urea N concentration in serum increased linearly as DCAD decreased. Conclusion In conclusion, negative DCAD induced by ruminal ammonium chloride infusion resulted in a metabolic acidosis, had a negative influence on performance, and increased serum enzymes indicating potential liver and kidney damage in lactating dairy cows. Daily ammonium chloride intake by lactating dairy cows should not exceed 300 g, and 150 g/d per cow may be better.