Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HUD Housing Assistance Associated With Lower Uninsurance Rates And Unmet Medical Need.

To investigate whether receiving US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing assistance is associated with improved access to health care, we analyzed data on nondisabled adults ages 18-64 who responded to the 2004-12 National Health Interview Survey that were linked with administrative data from HUD for the period 2002-14. To account for potential selection bias, we compared access to care between respondents who were receiving HUD housing assistance at the time of the survey interview (current recipients) and those who received HUD assistance within twenty-four months of completing the survey interview (future recipients). Receiving assistance was associated with lower uninsurance rates: 31.8 percent of current recipients were uninsured, compared to 37.2 percent of future recipients. Rates of unmet need for health care due to cost were similarly lower for current recipients than for future recipients. No effect of receiving assistance was observed on having a usual source of care. These findings provide evidence that supports the effectiveness of housing assistance in improving health care access.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Novel Entry Mechanisms and a Central Role of SRC in Host Defense during High Multiplicity Mycobacterial Infection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infects an estimated one-third of the global population and is one of the main causes of mortality from an infectious agent. The characteristics of macrophages challenged by MTB with a high multiplicity of infection (MOI), which mimics both clinical disseminated infection and granuloma formation, are distinct from macrophages challenged with a low MOI. To better understand the cross talk between macrophage host cells and mycobacteria, we compared the transcription patterns of mouse macrophages infected with bacille Calmette-Guérin, H37Ra and M. smegmatis. Attention was focused on the changes in the abundance of transcripts related to immune system function. From the results of a transcriptome profiling study with a high mycobacterial MOI, we defined a pathogen-specific host gene expression pattern. The present study suggests that two integrins, ITGA5 and ITGAV, are novel cell surface receptors mediating mycobacterium entry into macrophages challenged with high MOI. Our results indicate that SRC likely plays a central role in regulating multiple unique signaling pathways activated by MTB infection. The integrated results increase our understanding of the molecular networks behind the host innate immune response and identify important targets that might be useful for the development of tuberculosis therapy.
Initiative for Burnout of ICU Caregivers: Feasibility and Preliminary Results of a Psychological Support

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) caregivers are at high risk of burnout and the shortage of this highly specialized personal is a problem. The feasibility and impact of a psychological intervention were never assessed in this special context. Methods: A randomized controlled single-blind study in an ICU. The first intervention consisted in weekly problem-based sessions led by psychologists with small groups of caregivers using a systemic approach over 3 months. The modified intervention was lead for 9 months. The scores of Maslach Burnout Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were compared between the intervention and control groups, before and after the intervention. Results: One-hundred and sixty six caregivers were randomized in intervention and control groups. The major finding was the way the psychologists could modify the original methodology in order to enable caregivers to attend the sessions. Burnout scores tended to decrease across the whole ICU team after the intervention period, more in the intervention group. Participation in the study was poor at 6 months after intervention. Conclusions: This is the first study attempting to evaluate a psychological intervention on the mental health of ICU caregivers. It shows a modified method of a psychological support with a systemic approach in the special environment of ICU. Notwithstanding the modest results related to the short length of the process and the turnover of the personal, we demonstrated that such an approach is feasible. Further studies on larger scale and of longer duration are needed to investigate the effect of such interventions on the mental health of ICU caregivers.
Impaired downregulation of visual cortex during auditory processing is associated with autism symptomatology in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive developmental disorders characterized by impairments in language development and social interaction, along with restricted and stereotyped behaviors. These behaviors often include atypical responses to sensory stimuli; some children with ASD are easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, while others may seem unaware of their environment. Vision and audition are two sensory modalities important for social interactions and language, and are differentially affected in ASD. In the present study, 16 children and adolescents with ASD and 16 typically developing (TD) participants matched for age, gender, nonverbal IQ, and handedness were tested using a mixed event‐related/blocked functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm to examine basic perceptual processes that may form the foundation for later‐developing cognitive abilities. Auditory (high or low pitch) and visual conditions (dot located high or low in the display) were presented, and participants indicated whether the stimuli were “high” or “low. ” Results for the auditory condition showed downregulated activity of the visual cortex in the TD group, but upregulation in the ASD group. This atypical activity in visual cortex was associated with autism symptomatology. These findings suggest atypical crossmodal (auditory‐visual) modulation linked to sociocommunicative deficits in ASD, in agreement with the general hypothesis of low‐level sensorimotor impairments affecting core symptomatology. Autism Res 2017, 10: 130–143. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DNA partitions into triplets under tension in the presence of organic cations, with sequence evolutionary age predicting the stability of the triplet phase

Abstract Using atomistic simulations, we show the formation of stable triplet structure when particular GC-rich DNA duplexes are extended in solution over a timescale of hundreds of nanoseconds, in the presence of organic salt. We present planar-stacked triplet disproportionated DNA (Σ DNA) as a possible solution phase of the double helix under tension, subject to sequence and the presence of stabilising co-factors. Considering the partitioning of the duplexes into triplets of base pairs as the first step of operation of recombinase enzymes like RecA, we emphasise the structure–function relationship in Σ DNA. We supplement atomistic calculations with thermodynamic arguments to show that codons for ‘phase 1’ amino acids (those appearing early in evolution) are more likely than a lower entropy GC-rich sequence to form triplets under tension. We further observe that the four amino acids supposed (in the ‘GADV world’ hypothesis) to constitute the minimal set to produce functional globular proteins have the strongest triplet-forming propensity within the phase 1 set, showing a series of decreasing triplet propensity with evolutionary newness. The weak form of our observation provides a physical mechanism to minimise read frame and recombination alignment errors in the early evolution of the genetic code.
State effects of major depression on the assessment of personality and personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine whether personality disorders diagnosed during a depressive episode have long-term outcomes more typical of those of other patients with personality disorders or those of patients with noncomorbid major depression. METHOD The authors used 6-year outcome data collected from the multisite Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study (CLPS). Diagnoses and personality measures gathered from the study cohort at the index assessment using interview and self-report methods were associated with symptomatic, functional, and personality measures at 6-year follow-up. Of 668 patients initially recruited to the CLPS, 522 were followed for 6 years. All participants had either a DSM-IV diagnosis of one of four personality disorders (borderline, schizotypal, obsessive-compulsive, or avoidant) or a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive disorder with no accompanying personality disorder. RESULTS Six-year outcomes for patients with comorbid personality disorder and major depressive disorder at the index evaluation were similar to those of patients with pure personality disorder and significantly worse than those of patients with pure major depressive disorder. Stability estimates of personality traits were similar for personality disorder patients with and without major depressive disorder at the index evaluation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that personality disorder diagnoses established during depressive episodes are a valid reflection of personality pathology rather than an artifact of depressive mood.
Early Detection of ADHD: Insights From Infant Siblings of Children With Autism

Converging evidence suggests shared genetic underpinnings of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies of infants at risk for ASD have proliferated over the past decade; the few studies that have followed these infants beyond age 3 report a range of difficulties facing a subset of these infants as they reach school age, including elevated levels of attention problems and externalizing behavior. Given this, we aimed to identify early predictors of school-age ADHD outcomes in a sample of infant siblings at risk for ASD. This study reports on a sample of 59 infants at high and low risk for ASD who had been followed for more than a decade, collecting data at regular intervals from 3 to 36 months and then determining diagnostic outcome at 8–10 years of age. Seventeen participants were diagnosed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) ADHD at school age (n = 14 high risk, 3 low risk). As infants, the ADHD outcome group demonstrated atypical longitudinal patterns of sustained visual attention. A significantly larger proportion of their parents reported behavior/temperament problems at 36 months of age, and examiners noted the presence of inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive behaviors in this group by 18 months of age. These data suggest that behavioral indicators of risk for later ADHD may be present early in development, which may improve earlier detection and treatment of the disorder.
Comparison of four polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Brucella spp. in clinical samples from dogs

Aim: This study aimed to compare the sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and positive likelihood ratios (LR+) of four polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of Brucella spp. in dog’s clinical samples. Materials and Methods: A total of 595 samples of whole blood, urine, and genital fluids were evaluated between October 2014 and November 2016. To compare PCR assays, the gold standard was defined using a combination of different serological and microbiological test. Bacterial isolation from urine and blood cultures was carried out. Serological methods such as rapid slide agglutination test, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, agar gel immunodiffusion test, and buffered plate antigen test were performed. Four genes were evaluated: (i) The gene coding for the BCSP31 protein, (ii) the ribosomal gene coding for the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, (iii) the gene coding for porins omp2a/omp2b, and (iv) the gene coding for the insertion sequence IS711. Results: The results obtained were as follows: (1) For the primers that amplify the gene coding for the BCSP31 protein: S: 45.64% (confidence interval [CI] 39.81-51.46), Sp: 95.62% (CI 93.13-98.12), and LR+: 10.43 (CI 6.04-18); (2) for the primers that amplify the ribosomal gene of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region: S: 69.80% (CI 64.42-75.18), Sp: 95.62 % (CI 93.13-98.12), and LR+: 11.52 (CI 7.31-18.13); (3) for the primers that amplify the omp2a and omp2b genes: S: 39.26% (CI 33.55-44.97), Sp: 97.31% (CI 95.30-99.32), and LR+ 14.58 (CI 7.25-29.29); and (4) for the primers that amplify the insertion sequence IS711: S: 22.82% (CI 17.89 - 27.75), Sp: 99.66% (CI 98.84-100), and LR+ 67.77 (CI 9.47-484.89). Conclusion: We concluded that the gene coding for the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region was the one that best detected Brucella spp. in canine clinical samples.
Variable Trends in Economic Time Series

T he two most striking historical features of aggregate output are its sustained long run growth and its recurrent fluctuations around this growth path. Real per capita GNP, consumption and investment in the United States during the postwar era are plotted in Figure 1. Both growth and deviations from the growth trend-often referred to as "business cycles"-are apparent in each series. Over horizons of a few years, these shorter cyclical swings can be pronounced; for example, the 1953, 1957 and 1974 recessions are evident as substantial temporary declines in aggregate activity. These cyclical fluctuations are, however, dwarfed in magnitude by the secular expansion of output. But just as there are cyclical swings in output, so too are there variations in the growth trend: growth in GNP in the 1960s was much stronger than it was in the 1950s. Thus, changes in long run patterns of growth are an important feature of postwar aggregate economic activity. In this article we discuss the implications of changing trends in macroeconomic data from two perspectives. The first perspective is that of a macroeconomist reassessing the conventional dichotomy between growth and stabilization policies. As an empirical matter, does this dichotomy make sense for the postwar United States? What is the relative "importance" of changes in the trend and cyclical swings in explaining the quarterly movements in economic aggregates? We next adopt the perspective of an econometrician interpreting empirical evidence based on data that contain variable trends. The presence of variable trends in time series data can lead one to draw mistaken inferences using conventional econometric techniques. How can these techniques-or our interpretation of them-be modified to avoid these mistakes?
Aerobic exercise relieved vascular cognitive impairment via NF-κB/miR-503/BDNF pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of aerobic exercise in the relief of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Latency of Water Maze test was measured at sham, 2VO, 2VO+EX groups. miR-503 and BDNF mRNA levels were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Protein levels of NF-κB and BDNF were detected by Western blot. Hippocampal neuron cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to investigate the effect of miR-503 on BDNF. RESULTS Latency of Water Maze test in 2VO group was longer than Sham group, while exercise shortened the latency. The expressions of NF-κB and miR-503 in 2VO group were higher than Sham group, while exercise downregulated the expressions. BDNF level in 2VO group were downregulated than Sham group, while exercise upregulated the levels. We also found NF-κB, miR-503 levels were upregulated and BDNF level was downregulated in OGD-treated hippocampal neuron cells. In addition, OGD increased the expression of NF-κB and miR-503, and the expression of miR-503 was downregulated when treated with NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC). Moreover, we confirmed BDNF was a direct target of miR-503. OGD decreased the expression of BDNF, while miR-503 inhibitor reversed this effect. And we proved OGD induced cell apoptosis via NF-κB/miR-503/BDNF. Finally, in rats injected with miR-503 inhibitor, latency of Water Maze test was shortened, miR-503 expression was downregulated, and BDNF level was upregulated. While in rats injected with miR-503 mimic, the results were the opposite. CONCLUSION Aerobic exercise relieved VCI via NF-κB/miR-503/BDNF pathway.
Efficacy and safety of sirukumab in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who were refractory or intolerant to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy: Subgroup analysis of a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, phase 3 study (SIRROUND-T)

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirukumab, a human anti-interleukin six monoclonal antibody, in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. Methods: This subgroup analysis, based on a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 52-week phase 3, global study (SIRROUND-T) assessed the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response at week 16 (primary endpoint). Secondary endpoints: ACR 50, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-C reactive protein, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and safety were assessed. Results 116/878 patients received sirukumab 50 mg/4 weeks (q4w, n = 35), 100 mg/2 weeks (q2w, n = 44) or placebo (n = 37) subcutaneously. Significantly more patients achieved ACR 20 response at week 16 with sirukumab (50 mg q4w:20 [57.1%]; p < .001, 100 mg q2w:24 [54.5%]; p = .001) versus placebo (7 [18.9%]); consistent significant improvement in secondary endpoints at week 24 and 52 was observed. At week 24, incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was numerically higher with sirukumab groups (50 mg q4w:29 [82.9%]; 100 mg q2w:38 [86.4%] versus placebo (28 [75.7%]); however, at week 52, sirukumab combined groups had comparable incidence of TEAEs. Conclusion: Efficacy findings through 52 weeks were comparable between sirukumab doses in Japanese patients and consistent with primary SIRROUND-T study results. No new safety signals were observed.
Time-dependent rupture and slow crack growth: elastic and viscoplastic dynamics

We review some theoretical and experimental works describing the slow, thermally activated, growth of a crack in a solid material under stress. Theoretical approaches fall into two main classes: creep crack growth models and elastic trap models. On the one hand, creep crack growth models describe the viscoplastic flow of matter until some characteristic rupture strain is reached. This first category of models applies especially to the case of polymer rupture. On the other hand, elastic trap models assume that a rupture energy barrier is overcome by elastic stress fluctuations. While this second category of models is more restricted since it applies only to materials with brittle rupture features, it offers a framework that can be interestingly and importantly extended to the case of heterogeneous materials. Models will be discussed in the light of recent experimental works.
Targeting of TAM Receptors Ameliorates Fibrotic Mechanisms in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by aberrant lung remodeling, which progressively abolishes lung function in an RTK (receptor tyrosine kinase)‐dependent manner. Gas6 (growth arrest‐specific 6) ligand, Tyro3 (TYRO3 protein tyrosine kinase 3), and Axl (anexelekto) RTK expression and activity are increased in IPF. Objectives: To determine if targeting these RTK pathways would inhibit fibroblast activation and the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Quantitative genomic, proteomic, and functional analyses were used to determine Gas6/TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk [MER proto‐oncogene, tyrosine kinase]) RTK expression and activation in tissues and fibroblasts from normal and IPF lungs. The profibrotic impact of these RTK pathways were also examined in bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis and in SCID/Bg mice that developed pulmonary fibrosis after the intravenous administration of primary IPF fibroblasts. Measurements and Main Results: Gas6, Axl, and Tyro3 were increased in both rapidly and slowly progressive IPF compared with normal lung samples and fibroblasts. Targeting these pathways with either specific antibodies directed at Gas6 or Axl, or with small‐molecule TAM inhibitors indicated that the small molecule‐mediated targeting approach was more efficacious in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Specifically, the TAM receptor inhibitor R428 (also known as BGB324) significantly inhibited the synthetic, migratory, and proliferative properties of IPF fibroblasts compared with the other Gas6/TAM receptor targeting agents. Finally, loss of Gas6 expression decreased lung fibrotic responses to bleomycin and treatment with R428 inhibited pulmonary fibrosis in humanized SCID/Bg mice. Conclusions: Gas6/TAM receptor activity contributes to the activation of pulmonary fibroblasts in IPF, suggesting that targeting this RTK pathway might be an effective antifibrotic strategy in this disease.
Abstract Contract Synthesis and Verification in the Symbolic K Framework

This work has been partially supported by the EU (FEDER) and Spanish MINECO under grant TIN2015-69175-C4-1-R, and and TIN2013-45732-C4-1-P, and by Generalitat Valenciana PROMETEOII/2015/013. Daniel Pardo was supported by FPU-ME grant FPU14/01830.
Healthcare resource use and costs of severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma in the UK general population

Background Little is known about the prevalence of severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma (SUEA) and associated costs. Aims We sought to determine the prevalence of SUEA and compare asthma-related healthcare resource use (HCRU) and associated costs with overall means for a general asthma population. Methods This cohort study evaluated anonymised medical record data (December 1989 through June 2015) from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Optimum Patient Care Research Database to study UK patients with active asthma (diagnostic code and one or more drug prescriptions in the baseline year), aged 5 years and older, without concomitant COPD, and with recorded eosinophil count. SUEA was defined as two or more asthma attacks during 1 baseline year preceding a high blood eosinophil count (≥0.3×109/L) for patients prescribed long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) during baseline plus 1 follow-up year. We compared asthma-related HCRU and associated direct costs (2015 pounds sterling, £) during the follow-up year for SUEA versus the general asthma population. Results Of 363 558 patients with active asthma and recorded eosinophil count, 64% were women, mean (SD) age was 49 (21) years; 43% had high eosinophil counts, 7% had two or more attacks in the baseline year and 10% were prescribed high-dosage ICS/LABA for 2 study years. Overall, 2940 (0.81%; 95% CI 0.78% to 0.84%) patients had SUEA. Total mean per-patient HCRU and associated costs were four times greater for SUEA versus all patients (HCRU and cost ratios 3.9; 95% CI 3.7 to 4.1). Conclusions Less than 1% of patients in a general asthma population had SUEA. These patients accounted for substantially greater asthma-related HCRU and costs than average patients with asthma.