Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gut Hormone Suppression Increases Food Intake After Esophagectomy With Gastric Conduit Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES To characterize the gut hormone profile and determine the effect of satiety gut hormone blockade on food intake in disease-free postesophagectomy patients. BACKGROUND Improved oncologic outcomes for esophageal cancer have resulted in increased survivorship and a focus on health-related quality of life. Anorexia and early satiety are common, but putative causative factors, in particular the gut-brain hormonal axis, have not been systematically studied. METHODS In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study, disease-free patients at least 1 year postresection and gastric conduit reconstruction received either 1 mL 0.9% saline or 1 mL (100 μg) octreotide acetate subcutaneously followed by a standardized ad libitum meal on each of two assessments. Fasting and postprandial plasma glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and ghrelin immunoreactivity were measured. Gut hormone responses and calorie intake postsaline versus octreotide were compared between experimental and control groups. RESULTS Eighteen subjects [esophagectomy (ES), n = 10, 2.4 ± 0.75 years postresection; and unoperated control subjects, n = 8] were studied. ES demonstrated significant weight loss at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively (all P < 0.05). Ghrelin levels were similar (P = 0.58) for both groups, but postprandial GLP-1 and PYY responses were significantly (P < 0.001) greater among ES as compared with controls. After octreotide, ad libitum calorie intake increased among ES (1.5 ± 0.2 fold-change, P = 0.02) but not controls (1.1 ± 0.1 fold-change, P = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS ES demonstrated an exaggerated postprandial satiety gut hormone response that was attenuated by octreotide, thus identifying a potential therapeutic target to modulate in the ES patient with early satiety.
Cahn--Hilliard Inpainting and a Generalization for Grayvalue Images

The Cahn-Hilliard equation is a nonlinear fourth order diffusion equation originating in material science for modeling phase separation and phase coarsening in binary alloys. The inpainting of binary images using the Cahn-Hilliard equation is a new approach in image processing. In this paper we discuss the stationary state of the proposed model and introduce a generalization for grayvalue images of bounded variation. This is realized by using subgradients of the total variation functional within the flow, which leads to structure inpainting with smooth curvature of level sets.
The role of functional specialists in shaping controls within supply networks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how accounting and supply function specialists shape controls in collaborative supply networks (CSNs) and how both might co-evolve. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a case study of an Australian metal manufacturer (“SteelBiz”) and its CSN is conducted. Findings – The paper finds changes in both trust vis-a-vis formal controls and in intra-organisational supply-accounting relations occurred in a mutually constitutive manner. At SteelBiz, a shift to formal controls occurred due to the efforts of the accounting function in contesting organisational visibility. Overall, both intra- and inter-organisational relations were found to co-evolve. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of the paper include: an empirical examination of buyer organisations only; a focus on intra-organisational issues between functional specialists to the relative exclusion of both more “macro” trends and inter-personal relationships; and the limited generalisability associated with the methodology chosen. Future research should consider both buyer and supplier organisations and whether the “disciplinary alignments” observed here are reflective of more enduring patterns. Originality/value – The contributions of this paper are two-fold. First, the paper attempts to fill a gap in the literature pertaining to how intra-organisational relations might influence network controls. Furthermore, the few studies that do exist describe the “intra-inter” dynamic as uni-directional only, whereas this paper reveals how both mutually constitute the other. Second, complexities into the trust-formal control relationship are revealed while it is proposed that as CSN relations develop, process-based mechanisms become more important than other relationship-sustaining devices, with the trust-formal control dynamic dependent on ongoing negotiation and information as mobilised by intra-organisational participants.
Deterministic rendezvous, treasure hunts and strongly universal exploration sequences

We obtain several improved solutions for the deterministic rendezvous problem in general undirected graphs. Our solutions answer several problems left open in a recent paper by Dessmark et al. We also introduce an interesting variant of the rendezvous problem which we call the deterministic treasure hunt problem. Both the rendezvous and the treasure hunt problems motivate the study of universal traversal sequences and universal exploration sequences with some strengthened properties. We call such sequences strongly universal traversal (exploration) sequences. We give an explicit construction of strongly universal exploration sequences. The existence of strongly universal traversal sequences, as well as the solution of the most difficult variant of the deterministic treasure hunt problem, are left as intriguing open problems.
Human Herpesviruses in Primary Ocular Lymphoma

Several human lymphotropic herpesviruses have been found in certain lymphoproliferative disorders and implicated as possible etiologic factors or as modulating elements of the diseases. To assess a possible association of the human herpesviruses with lymphomas arising from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), we evaluated the presence of four human herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), HHV-7, and HHV-8, in the biopsied specimens from 14 patients with primary ocular MALT lymphomas. EBV DNA sequences were detected in four specimens by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and four cases were positive for HHV-6 DNA. In situ hybridization showed that three and two of 14 cases were positive for EBV mRNA and HHV-6 DNA, respectively. Neither HHV-7 nor HHV-8 sequences could be detected by PCR. These findings would stimulate further investigation as to the involvement of these lymphotropic viruses in the pathogenesis of a subset of low-grade primary ocular lymphomas.
Functional role for Tyr 31 in the catalytic cycle of chicken dihydrofolate reductase

Despite much work, many key aspects of the mechanism of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) catalyzed reduction of dihydrofolate remain unresolved. In bacterial forms of DHFR both substrate and water access to the active site are controlled by the conformation of the mobile M20 loop. In vertebrate DHFRs only one conformation of the residues corresponding to the M20 loop has been observed. Access to the active site was proposed to be controlled by residue 31. MD simulations of chicken DHFR complexed with substrates and cofactor revealed a closing of the side chain of Tyr 31 over the active site on binding of dihydrofolate. This conformational change was dependent on the presence of glutamate on the para‐aminobenzoylamide moiety of dihydrofolate. In its absence, the conformation remained open. Although water could enter the active site and hydrogen bond to N5 of dihydrofolate, indicating the feasibility of water as the proton donor, this was not controlled by the conformation of Tyr 31. The water accessibility of the active site was low for both conformations of Tyr 31. However, when hydride was transferred from NADPH to C6 of dihydrofolate before protonation, the average time during which water was found in hydrogen bonding distance to N5 of dihydrofolate in the active site increased almost fivefold. These results indicated that water can serve as the Broensted acid for the protonation of N5 of dihydrofolate during the DHFR catalyzed reduction. Proteins 2003;51:216–223. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Swedish Drug Treatment and the Political Use of Conceptual Innovation 1882–1982

This article investigates the concepts applied to drug use and drug users in Sweden during the years 1882–1982. As a theoretical point of departure, concepts are treated as political tools and conceptual descriptions as political work. From an analysis of 43 public reports, three distinct periods stand out. In the first period, 1882–1962, there was no specific political need for conceptual clarity. During the second period, 1964–1969, the political need for certain (medicalized) concepts is more evident. Drug users were understood as sick and as potential objects for compulsory treatment. In the third period, during the mid-1970s and early 1980s, the process was reversed: specific concepts of sick drug users gave way to creating the political means for bringing alcohol and other drug users under joint treatment legislation.
A longitudinal experimental study comparing the effectiveness of happiness-enhancing strategies in Anglo Americans and Asian Americans

Growing evidence suggests that well-being interventions can be effective. However, it is unclear whether happiness-increasing practices are equally effective for individuals from different cultural backgrounds. To investigate this question, Anglo Americans and predominantly foreign-born Asian Americans were randomly assigned to express optimism, convey gratitude, or list their past experiences (control group). Multilevel analyses indicated that participants in the optimism and gratitude conditions reported enhanced life satisfaction relative to those in the control condition. However, Anglo Americans in the treatment conditions demonstrated larger increases in life satisfaction relative to Asian Americans, while both cultural groups in the control condition showed the least improvement. These results are consistent with the idea that the value individualist cultures place on self-improvement and personal agency bolsters the efforts of Anglo Americans to become more satisfied, whereas collectivist cultures’ de-emphasis of self-focus and individual goals interferes with the efforts of Asian Americans to pursue enhanced well-being.
The theory of work commitment: a facet analysis

Purpose – This study attempts to analyze the structure of work commitment by delineating and classifying the content areas that constitute the conceptual space of the work commitment domain.Design/methodology/approach – Building on the work commitment literature, the present study considers the identified forms of work commitment, but goes beyond these forms to explore a basic conceptual structure of the domain.Findings – The findings indicated that multiple commitment measures provide more comprehensive information concerning individuals' work commitment than a single general measure. Specifically, facet analysis provides an important tool for researchers to understand the structure of work commitment.Originality/value – The multifaceted approach employed in this study enabled the designing and empirical testing of a structural definitional framework of work commitment, which despite growing interest, lacks such a definition. Only two of the three possible facets were examined. Future research may use th.
Children and adolescents as political actors: Collective visions of politics and citizenship

This article presents a case study on the political thought and citizenship conceptions of children and adolescents. Considering children and adolescents as reflexive citizens and partners in community development processes, it is our purpose to understand the development of political thought, and particularly how children conceive the exercise of citizenship and participation. Participants were 97 children of a primary and middle secondary (basic) school, aged 5 to 14 years, organized into age groups of 12 children each. Focus group discussions were used as participatory research methodology which involves children as active collaborators, a method that appears to be a good alternative to the traditional individual interviews used in previous research. Results point to the existence of a developmental process of political thought that begins before the start of formal schooling, and a parallel evolution of the conception of social organization and the concepts of citizenship and participation.
Dynamics layer of the sliding contact collector elements

The problems of the dynamic interaction of the collector elements are covered. It takes into account the physical properties of the material and behavior of their parameters and the features of mechanical coupling. A mathematical model of dynamics of fractions of random destruction in the contact layer conductivity is created. It creates for sliding contact elements of collector in steady-state.
Risk Aversion in a Dynamic Asset Allocation Experiment

We conduct a controlled laboratory experiment in the spirit of Merton (1971), in which subjects dynamically choose their portfolio allocation between a risk-free and risky asset. Using the optimal allocation of an investor with hyperbolic absolute risk aversion (HARA) utility, we fit the experimental choices to characterize the risk profile of our participants. Despite substantial heterogeneity, decreasing absolute risk aversion and increasing relative risk aversion are the predominant types. We also find some evidence of increased risk taking after a gain. Finally, the session level risk attitudes show a different profile than the individual descriptions of risk attitudes.
Social Stigma, HIV/AIDS Knowledge, and Sexual Risk: A Cross‐Cultural Analysis1

The main aim of this study is to evaluate relationships linking social stigma, HIV/AIDS knowledge, and sexual risk among African American (AA) and South African (SA) college students. One major barrier to HIV prevention efforts is the social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Based on the Burkholder et al. (1999) findings, persons who engage in greater stigmatization of persons with AIDS (PWA) and gay people are associated with greater sexual behavior risk for HIV/AIDS. The present study attempted to replicate the Burkholder et al. study using African American and South African college students, but the findings were inconsistent with the aforementioned study. AA respondents had higher social stigma of PWA and gays and higher condom self-efficacy. While SA respondents were less likely to stigmatize PWA and gay persons and had high-perceived risk of being infected, they reported engaging in high-risk sexual behavior. The authors discuss the differences that may account for the dissimilar findings.
Just the two of us: Melatonin and adenosine in rodent pituitary function

The function of the pituitary gland is tightly controlled by neuronal and hormonal afferents of the brain. In this review, the role of the neurohormone melatonin and the neuromodulator adenosine for rodent pituitary function will be elucidated. Adenosine is known as an important paracrine modulator for pituitary endocrine and folliculostellate cells, with availability regulated by local metabolic cellular activity. In general, adenosine inhibits the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) pathway in pituitary cells by binding to A1‐, and A3‐adenosinergic receptors, and activates it via A2‐adenosinergic receptors. The neurohormone melatonin integrates time‐of‐day and time‐of‐year into pituitary function via binding to MT1‐melatonin receptors. Melatonin impacts at the hypothalamic level neurons that synthesize releasing and release‐inhibiting hormones, and at the pituitary level only cells of the hypophyseal pars tuberalis (PT). Thereby, the daily changes in the duration of the nocturnal melatonin surge are decoded and subsequently relayed to the pars distalis to adapt gonadotropin and prolactin release, respectively, to season. An exciting integration of time within the regulation of pituitary function was deciphered by analysing transmembrane signalling events in cells of the hypophyseal PT: a consecutive daily impact of initially the neurohormone melatonin and later the neuromodulator adenosine on rodent PT cells leads to a circadian rhythm in the transcription of cyclicAMP‐sensitive genes.
Production of the effector cytokine interleukin-17, rather than interferon-γ, is more strongly associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Background Interleukin-17A is the signature cytokine of the Th17 subset and drives inflammatory pathology, but its relevance to autoantibody-mediated diseases is unclear. Th1 cells secreting interferon-γ have been implicated in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, so the aim was to determine which cytokine is more closely associated with disease severity. Design and Methods Interferon-γ and interleukin-17A were measured in the sera of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and healthy donors, and in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures stimulated with autologous red blood cells, or a panel of peptides spanning red blood cell autoantigen. Results Serum interleukin-17A, but not interferon-γ, was significantly raised in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (P <0.001), and correlated with the degree of anemia. Interleukin-17A was also more prominent in the responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia to red blood cells, and, again unlike interferon-γ, significantly associated with more severe anemia (P <0.005). There were no interleukin-17A responses to red blood cells by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Specific autoantigenic peptides were identified that elicit patients' interleukin-17A responses. Conclusions Interleukin-17A makes a previously unrecognized contribution to the autoimmune response in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, challenging the model that the disease is driven primarily by Th1 cells. This raises the possibility that Th17, rather than Th1, cells should be the target for therapy.
A Path Analysis of Social Problem-Solving as a Predictor of White Racial Identity

This study examined (a) whether a developmental model or a model in which all subscales' measurement errors are correlated best explains the relationships among White racial identity (WRI) statuses, and (b) social problem-solving (SPS) skills as a predictor of WRI. Path analysis was conducted with a sample of 255 White undergraduate students from a private university. Results showed that a correlated errors model had better fit than a developmental model of WRI. SPS was examined as a predictor of WRI statuses, using a correlated errors measurement model. Three of the hypothesized relationships between SPS and WRI were significant. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Plasma Adiponectin and Resistin Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Obese Female Patients With and Without Hypertension and Retinopathy

Background: In the past, adipose tissue was largely regarded as a depot for fuel storage in the form of triglyceride. However, adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes a variety of metabolically important substances including adipokines. The adipocyte is now known to secrete a variety of proteins such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- , adipsin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin. Adipose tissue regulates insulin sensitivity via the circulating adipocytokines, resistin and adiponectin. These factors affect insulin sensitivity and may represent a link between obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (DM). The objective of this study was to compare the levels of resistin and adiponectin in type 2 diabetic obese female patients with and without hypertension and retinopathy. Subjects and Methods: In this study the plasma adiponectin and resistin concentrations were investigated, in 20 control obese non-diabetic females and 40 obese female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The diabetic females were divided into 2 groups. GI included 20 controlled uncomplicated diabetics & GII included 20 diabetic patients with hypertension and retinopathy. Results: The plasma concentration of adiponectin was significantly lower (P< 0.01) in diabetic females in GΙ & GΠ than non-diabetic control females. In diabetic patients with hypertension and retinopathy ( GII) there was a significant decrease in plasma adiponectin levels (P< 0.01) as compared to their levels in diabetic females in GΙ and control females. Our results also show that there were non-significant changes in plasma resistin in diabetic patients in both groups GΙ & GII as compared to their levels in control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that adiponectin may play a key role in pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its microangiopathy and macrovascular complications. Key words: diabetes mellitus . obesity Introduction
Identiication of Amino Acid Sequences with Good Folding Properties in an Oo-lattice Model

Folding properties of a two-dimensional toy protein model containing only two amino-acid types, hydrophobic and hydrophilic respectively, are analyzed. An eecient Monte Carlo procedure is employed to ensure that the ground states are found. The thermodynamic properties are found to be strongly sequence dependent in contrast to the kinetic ones. Hence, criteria for good folders are deened entirely in terms of thermodynamic uctuations. With these criteria sequence patterns that fold well are isolated. For 300 chains with 20 randomly chosen binary residues approximately 10% meet these criteria. Also, an analysis is performed by means of statistical and artiicial neural network methods from which it is concluded that the folding properties can be predicted to a certain degree given the binary numbers characterizing the sequences.
Leishmania Mitochondrial Peroxiredoxin Plays a Crucial Peroxidase-Unrelated Role during Infection: Insight into Its Novel Chaperone Activity

Two-cysteine peroxiredoxins are ubiquitous peroxidases that play various functions in cells. In Leishmania and related trypanosomatids, which lack catalase and selenium-glutathione peroxidases, the discovery of this family of enzymes provided the molecular basis for peroxide removal in these organisms. In this report the functional relevance of one of such enzymes, the mitochondrial 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (mTXNPx), was investigated along the Leishmania infantum life cycle. mTXNPx null mutants (mtxnpx−) produced by a gene replacement strategy, while indistinguishable from wild type promastigotes, were found unable to thrive in a murine model of infection. Unexpectedly, however, the avirulent phenotype of mtxnpx− was not due to lack of the peroxidase activity of mTXNPx as these behaved like controls when exposed to oxidants added exogenously or generated by macrophages during phagocytosis ex vivo. In line with this, mtxnpx− were also avirulent when inoculated into murine hosts unable to mount an effective oxidative phagocyte response (B6.p47phox−/− and B6.RAG2−/− IFN-γ−/− mice). Definitive conclusion that the peroxidase activity of mTXNPx is not required for parasite survival in mice was obtained by showing that a peroxidase-inactive version of this protein was competent in rescuing the non-infective phenotype of mtxnpx−. A novel function is thus proposed for mTXNPx, that of a molecular chaperone, which may explain the impaired infectivity of the null mutants. This premise is based on the observation that the enzyme is able to suppress the thermal aggregation of citrate synthase in vitro. Also, mtxnpx− were more sensitive than controls to a temperature shift from 25°C to 37°C, a phenotype reminiscent of organisms lacking specific chaperone genes. Collectively, the findings reported here change the paradigm which regards all trypanosomatid 2-Cys peroxiredoxins as peroxide-eliminating devices. Moreover, they demonstrate, for the first time, that these 2-Cys peroxiredoxins can be determinant for pathogenicity independently of their peroxidase activity.