Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The population distribution of the sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) and SAD/height ratio among Finnish adults

Sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD; ‘abdominal height’ measured in supine position) may improve upon conventional anthropometry for predicting incident cardiometabolic diseases. However, the SAD is used infrequently by practitioners and epidemiologists. A representative survey of Finnish adults in 2000–2001 collected body measurements including SAD (by sliding‐beam calliper) using standardized protocols. Sampled non‐pregnant adults (ages 30+ years; 79% participation) provided 6123 SAD measurements from 80 health centre districts. Through stratified, complex survey design, these data represented 2.86 million adults at ages 30+ years. SAD ranged from 13.5 to 38.0 cm, with a population mean (standard error) of 21.7 (0.05) cm and median (interquartile range) of 21.0 (19.1–23.4). Median SAD was higher at ages 50+ years compared with ages 30–49 both for men (22.4 [20.5–24.6] vs. 20.8 [19.3–22.7]) and women (21.7 [19.6–23.9] vs. 19.4 [17.8–21.4]). The SAD/height ratio was similar (0.118) for both sexes at 30–39 years, rising more steeply with age for women than men. Attaining only a basic education, compared with a high level, was associated with increased mean (95% confidence interval) SADs for men (22.6 [22.3–22.8] vs. 22.0 [21.7–22.2]) and women (21.8 [21.5–22.0] vs. 20.6 [20.4–20.8]). Finland's early experience with nationally representative SAD measurements provides normative reference values and physiological insights useful for investigations of cardiometabolic risk.
Elastoplastic Indentation on Heat-Treated Carbons

A Vickers indenter, as an efficient mechanical microprobe, was applied to carbon materials heat-treated at temperatures in the range 880°–2600°C. The plasticity of the carbon materials, which was enhanced by increasing the heat-treatment temperature (HTT), was assessed from the relation between the indentation load, P, and the penetration depth, h. Using the concept of the true hardness, H, as a measure of plasticity and the experimental estimate of the H-value, the plasticity of the carbon materials was examined as a function of their crystallographic parameters. The residual impression of the carbons at HTT > 1800°C was hardly visible on the indented surface after unloading, because of the nearly complete elastic recovery of the indented surface, yielding a very unique indentation P–h hysteresis in the loading/unloading cycle. The microscopic processes associated with this unique elastic recovery during unloading are discussed here in relation to the reversible slip of the dislocation-network structures on the graphitic basal planes.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway mediates N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)retinamide‐induced neuronal differentiation in the ARPE‐19 human retinal pigment epithelial cell line

We have shown previously that N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR, fenretinide), a retinoic acid derivative, induces neuronal differentiation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells [Chen et al., J. Neurochem. , 84 (2003), 972]. We asked the question whether the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in the regulation of the 4HPR‐induced neuronal differentiation of RPE (ARPE‐19) cells. When we treated ARPE‐19 cells with 4HPR, c‐Raf and MEK1/2 kinase were activated resulting in activation of the downstream effector ERK1/2 and of SAPK/JNK. By blocking the upstream kinase MEK1/2 with specific inhibitor U0126 we abrogated the 4HPR‐induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK, indicating that the neuronal differentiation occurs through a positive cross‐talk between the ERK and the SAPK/JNK pathways. Both U0126 and the suppression of ERK1/2 expression with small interfering RNA effectively blocked the 4HPR‐induced neuronal differentiation of RPE cells and the expression of calretinin. The activated ERK1/2 then induced a sequential activation of p90RSK, and increase in phosphorylation of transcription factors c‐fos and c‐jun leading to transcriptional activation of AP‐1. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that c‐Raf/MEK1/2 signaling cascade involving ERK1/2 plays a central role in mediating the 4HPR‐induced neuronal differentiation and calretinin expression in the human ARPE‐19 retinal pigment epithelial cell line.
A Cautionary Tale

Efforts to build empirical evidence for the protective effects of Indigenous cultural factors on psychological health have yielded mixed findings. We examine the interplay of previously hypothesized culturally relevant risk (discrimination, historical loss) and protective (spiritual activities) factors among Indigenous people. The sample includes 569 Indigenous adolescents (mean age = 17.23, SD = 0.88; 51.0% girls) and 563 Indigenous adult caregivers (mean age = 44.66, SD = 9.18; 77.4% women). Our central finding was that indigenous spirituality was associated with poorer psychological outcomes across several domains (depressive symptoms, anger, anxiety, somatization, and interpersonal difficulties), but observed effects were attenuated once perceived discrimination and historical losses were added to statistical models. Thus, consideration of relevant stressors drastically changed our conclusions, underscoring the uncertain dynamics through which specific Indigenous cultural factors impact mental health. Researchers should work in collaboration with Indigenous communities to improve measurement and empirical investigation of these complex constructs.
Dendritic Cell Anergy Results from Endotoxemia in Severe Malnutrition1

Malnutrition predicts an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from infection. Defects in cell-mediated immunity, such as thymic atrophy, impaired cutaneous tuberculin responses, and reduced T cell mitogenesis in vitro, are well characterized. There has been no convincing mechanism proposed for these T cell defects. However, as T cell responses rely on signals received from APCs, this study evaluates dendritic cell (DC) function in children with severe malnutrition. Repeated sampling of peripheral blood from 81 severely malnourished children at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, demonstrated for the first time a defect in DC numbers in children with malnutrition (28 per microliter) and a recovery in cell number (48 per microliter; p < 0.01) with standard treatment. We describe normal DC maturation in the majority of malnourished children. However, in 17% of our study patients, in association with endotoxemia we describe the novel finding of DC maturation failure (down-regulation rather than up-regulation of HLA-DR). There was a strong correlation between the strength of HLA-DR up or down-regulation and the generation of IL-10 (r = −0.481; p = 0.003). These “anergic” DCs failed to support T cell proliferation. Defects in DC number and the immunosuppressive phenotype of DCs from severely malnourished children with endotoxemia provide a rational basis for the anergy found in severe malnutrition.
Functional impairment of PRRSV-specific peripheral CD3+CD8high cells

The replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in lungs and lymphoid tissues of PRRSV-infected pigs is already strongly reduced before the appearance of neutralizing antibodies, indicating that other immune mechanisms are involved in eliminating PRRSV at those sites. This study aimed to determine whether PRRSV Lelystad virus (LV)-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) can efficiently eliminate PRRSV-infected alveolar macrophages. Therefore, CTL assays were performed with PRRSV-infected alveolar macrophages as target cells and autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from PRRSV-infected pigs as a source of PRRSV-specific CTL. PBMC of 3 PRRSV-infected pigs were used either directly in CTL assays, or following restimulation in vitro. CTL assays with pseudorabies virus (PRV) Begonia-infected alveolar macrophages and autologous PBMC, from 2 PRV Begonia-inoculated pigs, were performed for validation of the assays. In freshly isolated PBMC, derived from PRRSV-infected pigs, CTL activity towards PRRSV-infected macrophages was not detected until the end of the experiment (56 days post infection – dpi). Restimulating the PBMC with PRRSV in vitro resulted in proliferation of CD3+CD8high cells starting from 14 dpi. Although CD3+CD8high cells are generally considered to be CTL, CTL activity was not detected in PRRSV-restimulated PBMC of the 3 pigs until 49 dpi. A weak PRRSV-specific CTL activity was observed only at 56 dpi in PRRSV-restimulated PBMC of one pig. In contrast, a clear CTL activity was observed in PRV Begonia-restimulated PBMC, derived from PRV Begonia-infected pigs, starting from 21 dpi. This study indicates that PBMC of PRRSV-infected pigs contain proliferating CD3+CD8high cells upon restimulation in vitro, but these PBMC fail to exert CTL activity towards PRRSV-infected alveolar macrophages.
Higher minors and van Kampen's obstruction

We generalize the notion of graph minors to all (finite) simplicial complexes. For every two simplicial complexes $H$ and $K$ and every nonnegative integer $m$, we prove that if $H$ is a minor of $K$ then the non vanishing of Van Kampen's obstruction in dimension $m$ (a characteristic class indicating non embeddability in the $(m-1)$-sphere) for $H$ implies its non vanishing for $K$. As a corollary, based on results by Van Kampen and Flores, if $K$ has the $d$-skeleton of the $(2d+2)$-simplex as a minor, then $K$ is not embeddable in the $2d$-sphere. We answer affirmatively a problem asked by Dey et. al. concerning topology-preserving edge contractions, and conclude from it the validity of the generalized lower bound inequalities for a special class of triangulated spheres.
Fatigue strength of USP treated ASTM CA6NM for hydraulic turbine runner

In order to investigate the effect of an ultrasonic shot peening (USP) treatment on the fatigue characteristics of structural materials for hydroelectric facilities, plane bending fatigue tests were carried out using USP treated ASTM CA6NM stainless cast steel. The results showed that the fatigue limit of the USP material was approximately 60% higher than that of the untreated material. Haigh's diagram evaluation suggested that an increase in crack initiation resistance associated with the high hardness and compressive residual stress by USP treatment was the main reason for the improvement in fatigue strength. Furthermore, the simulation of fatigue crack propagation implied that compressive residual stress leads to a low crack propagation rate compared with the untreated material. Consequently, it is clear that the USP treatment is an effective process for improving the fatigue properties of CA6NM.
A phase II open-label multicenter study of gefitinib in combination with irradiation followed by chemotherapy in patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Background Gefitinib is an oral EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors which may act as a radiosensitizer. Patients and Methods This phase II study evaluated the efficacy of gefitinib 250 mg once daily in combination with thoracic radiotherapy (66 Gy in 6.5 weeks, 2 Gy/day, 5 fractions/week) followed by consolidation chemotherapy (IV cisplatin and vinorelbine) as first line treatment in a population of unselected stage IIIB NSCLC patients according to EGFR mutation status. Results Due to a low accrual rate in this study, the sample size (n = 50) was not reached. Sixteen patients were included in four centers, 50% had adenocarcinoma and 75% were male. Genomic alterations (7 patients studied) retrieved TP53 mutation in 2 patients and no EGFR mutation. Four weeks after radiotherapy, 3 patients (19%) had a partial response, 6 (38%) had a stable disease, and 7 had a progression (44%). Median overall survival was 11 months and median progression-free survival was 5 months. At the time of the last contact, 5 patients (31%) were still alive. Main toxicities were gastrointestinal (81%), cutaneous (81%), general (56%), and respiratory (50%). There were 12>G3 adverse events in 7 (47%) patients, and there was one toxic-death during the concomitant period due to an interstitial pneumonitis. There were two possible adverse events-related deaths during the chemotherapy period (pulmonary embolism (n = 1) and sudden death after the administration of the 3rd course of chemotherapy (n = 1)). Conclusion The benefit of Gefitinib-RT could not be confirmed due to premature trial discontinuation. Further evaluation is required, especially in patients with EGFR mutated NSCLC.
A Postsynthesis Decomposition Strategy for Group III–Nitride Quantum Wires

A simple postsynthesis strategy for obtaining sub-5 nm nanowires by uniformly reducing the diameters of presynthesized nanowires is reported. Specific experiments performed using GaN as an example indicated that the thermal decomposition of 25 nm diameter nanowires led to the formation of 5 nm diameter quantum wires, and this further resulted in a 0.5 eV bandgap blue-shift. The mechanism and kinetics of decomposition seem to be an exclusive nanoscale phenomenon, dependent on the initial size of nanowires.
The effects of butyrate enemas on visceral perception in healthy volunteers

Abstract Fermentation of dietary fibres by colonic microbes leads to the production of short chain fatty acids (mainly propionate, butyrate and acetate), which are utilized by the colonic mucosa. Previous studies showed positive effects of butyrate on parameters of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Recent studies in rats, however, showed that butyrate increased visceral sensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of physiologically relevant concentrations of butyrate on visceral perception in healthy human subjects. Eleven healthy volunteers participated in this randomized double‐blind, placebo controlled cross‐over study. The study consisted of three periods of 1 week each, in which the volunteers daily self‐administered rectal enemas containing 100, 50 mmol L−1 butyrate, or placebo (saline) prior to sleeping. A rectal barostat measurement was performed at the start and the end of each test period for the measurement of pain, urge and discomfort. Butyrate treatment resulted in a dose‐dependent reduction of pain, urge and discomfort throughout the entire pressure range of the protocol. At a pressure of 4 mmHg, 50 and 100 mmol L−1 butyrate concentrations resulted in a 23.9% and 42.1% reduction of pain scores, respectively, and the discomfort scores decreased by 44.2% and 69.0% respectively. At a pressure of 67 mmHg, 50 and 100 mmol L−1 of butyrate decreased the pain scores by 23.8% and 42%, respectively, and discomfort scores 1.9% and 5.2% respectively. Colonic administration of butyrate, at physiologically relevant concentrations, dose‐dependently decreases visceral sensitivity in healthy volunteers.
Elevated levels of human endogenous retrovirus‐W transcripts in blood cells from patients with first episode schizophrenia

We previously reported on the differential presence of transcripts related to the human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)‐W family in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from patients with first‐episode schizophrenia compared with control individuals. Whether this is a consequence of qualitative or quantitative differences in transcription of genomic regions harboring HERV‐W elements is not known. The purpose of the present study was therefore to characterize the transcribed HERV‐W elements in mononuclear cells obtained from 30 patients first hospitalized for schizophrenia‐related psychosis and from 26 healthy control individuals. We observed elevated total levels of HERV‐W gag (2.1‐fold, P < 0.01) but not env transcripts in the cells of patients compared with controls. By using the melting temperatures of the amplicons as a proxy marker for sequence identity, no absolute qualitative differences was detected between the two groups. Mapping of the detected transcripts identified several intronic and intergenic HERV‐W elements transcribed in the cells, including elements previously considered transcriptionally silent. Element‐specific assays revealed elevated levels of intronic transcripts containing HERV‐W gag sequence from the putative gene PTD015 on chromosome 11q13.5 (1.6‐fold, P < 0.05) in the patients compared with the controls. Thus, studies aiming to further understanding of complex human disease such as schizophrenia may need to be extended beyond the strictly protein‐coding fraction of the transcriptome.
Foetal proglucagon processing in relation to adult appetite control: lessons from a transplantable rat glucagonoma with severe anorexia

We have previously reported severe anorexia abruptly induced in rats 2–3 weeks after they have been transplanted subcutaneously with the glucagonoma MSL‐G‐AN. Vagotomy did not affect the time of onset and severity of anorexia, and the anorectic state resembles hunger with strongly elevated neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA levels in the nucleus arcuatus. We now show that circulating levels of bioactive glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) (7‐36amide) start to increase above control levels exactly at the time of onset of anorexia. At this time‐point, bioactive glucagon as well as total glucagon precursors and GLP‐1 metabolites are already vastly elevated compared to controls. We further show that intravenous administration of very high concentrations of GLP‐1 to hungry schedule‐fed rats causes anorexia in a dose‐dependent manner, which is blocked by the GLP‐1 receptor antagonist exendin (9‐39). GLP‐1 (7‐36amide) has a well‐characterized anorectic effect but also causes taste aversion when administered centrally. The anorectic effect is blocked in rats treated neonatally by monosodium glutamate (MSG). We show that MSG treatment does not prevent the MSL‐G‐AN‐induced anorexia, thereby suggesting a different type of anorectic function. We show a very strong component of taste aversion as anorectic rats, when presented to novel or known alternative food items, will resume normal feeding for 1 day, and then redevelop anorexia. We hypothetize that the anorexia in MSL‐G‐AN tumour‐bearing rats correlates with a foetal processing pattern of proglucagon to both glucagon and GLP‐1 (7‐36amide), and is due to taste aversion. The sudden onset is characterized by a dramatic increase in circulating levels of biologically active GLP‐1 (7‐36amide), suggesting eventual saturation of proteolytic inactivation of its N‐terminus.
Temperature Dependent Study of Random Telegraph Noise in Gate-All-Around PMOS Silicon Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors

We report the random telegraph noise observed in gate-all-around (GAA) PMOS silicon nanowire FETs (SNWFETs) with the radius of 5 nm, at various temperatures (s) down to 4.2 K. From the -dependence of the capture/emission time, we obtain the energy and the charging status of the trap states. The gate bias dependence and the -dependence of the scattering coefficient-mobility product extracted from the relative fluctuation amplitude of the drain current are consistent with the fact that the surface roughness scattering is dominant in GAA PMOS SNWFETs.
Short-Term Effects of High-Frequency Chest Compression and Positive Expiratory Pressure in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Background Cystic fibrosis patients require daily airway clearance therapies. The primary objective of this study was to compare the short-term efficacy of high-frequency chest compression and positive expiratory pressure mask on expectorated sputum, pulmonary function, and oxygen saturation in patients with CF hospitalized for an acute pulmonary exacerbation. Methods A controlled randomized cross-over trial with 24 hours between treatments was used. Thirty-four CF patients (26 ± 6.5 years) were included in the study. Before and 30 minutes after each treatment were recorded: pulmonary function testing, oxygen saturation, and perceived dyspnea. Preference for the two devices was assessed. Results No statistically significant difference between high-frequency chest compression and positive expiratory pressure mask was found in sputum production and in lung function testing. A reduction in SpO2 was found after positive expiratory pressure mask (98 ± 1.0% versus 97 ± 1.2%; P < 0.001). Both treatments induced a statistically significant increase in Borg scale for dyspnea without differences between them. Patients reported greater satisfaction with positive expiratory pressure mask than with high-frequency chest compression (P < 0.001). Conclusion High-frequency chest compression and positive expiratory pressure mask have comparable short-term effects on expectorated sputum and lung function. Although positive expiratory pressure mask was associated with a lower SpO2, it was better tolerated than high-frequency chest compression. Keywords Airway clearance therapies; High-frequency chest compression; Sputum; Cystic fibrosis
Dynamics of Transgenic Enterobacter cloacae Expressing Green Fluorescent Protein Defensin (GFP-D) in Anopheles stephensi Under Laboratory Condition

Background: Enterobacter cloacae bacterium is a known symbiont of the most Anopheles gut microflora and nominated as a good candidate for paratransgenic control of malaria. However, the population dynamics of this bacterium within An. stephensi and its introduction methods to the mosquitoes have not yet been explored. Methods: Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens expressing green fluorescent protein and defensin (GFP-D) was used to study transstadial transmission and the course of time, larval habitat, sugar, and blood meal on dynamics of the bacterium in the mosquito life stages in the laboratory condition. The bacterial quantities were measured by plating samples and counting GFP expressing colonies on the Tet-BHI agar medium. Results: The E. cloacae population remained stable in sugar bait at least for eleven days whereas it was lowered in the insectary larval habitat where the bacteria inadequately recycled. The bacterium was weakly transmitted transstadially from larval to adult stage. The bacterial populations increased smoothly and then dramatically in the guts of An. stephensi following sugar and blood meal respectively followed by a gradual reduction over the time. Conclusion: Enterobacter cloacae was highly stable in sugar bait and increased tremendously in the gut of female adult An. stephensi within 24h post blood meal. Sugar bait stations can be used for introduction of the transgenic bacteria in a paratransgenic approach. It is recommended to evaluate the attraction of sugar bait in combination with attractive kairomones as well as its stability and survival rate in the semi-field or field conditions.
Optimal viral strategies for bypassing RNA silencing

The RNA silencing pathway constitutes a defence mechanism highly conserved in eukaryotes, especially in plants, where the underlying working principle relies on the repressive action triggered by the intracellular presence of double-stranded RNAs. This immune system performs a post-transcriptional suppression of aberrant mRNAs or viral RNAs by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that are directed towards their target in a sequence-specific manner. However, viruses have evolved strategies to escape from silencing surveillance while promoting their own replication. Several viruses encode suppressor proteins that interact with different elements of the RNA silencing pathway and block it. The different suppressors are not phylogenetically nor structurally related and also differ in their mechanism of action. Here, we adopt a model-driven forward-engineering approach to understand the evolution of suppressor proteins and, in particular, why viral suppressors preferentially target some components of the silencing pathway. We analysed three strategies characterized by different design principles: replication in the absence of a suppressor, suppressors targeting the first protein component of the pathway and suppressors targeting the siRNAs. Our results shed light on the question of whether a virus must opt for devoting more time into transcription or into translation and on which would be the optimal step of the silencing pathway to be targeted by suppressors. In addition, we discussed the evolutionary implications of such designing principles.