Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dopamine transporter density may be associated with the depressed affect in healthy subjects

ObjectivesIncreased levels of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding have been reported in patients with major depression. We used the selective DAT radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-TRODAT-1 and SPECT brain imaging, to examine differences in DAT levels in healthy subjects with and without depressive affect. MethodsWe compared striatal DAT binding affinity in 73 healthy subjects to their scores on the depressive symptoms subscale of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Regions of interest in the basal ganglia of the brain were examined. Distribution volume ratios (DVRs) of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 binding affinity were calculated from the SPECT scan data, and comparisons among subjects with low and high depressive symptom ratings were calculated using unpaired t-tests and the Pearson correlation. ResultsWe observed a greater 99mTc-TRODAT-1 DVR in the right caudate of subjects with high POMS mood scores compared to subjects with low scores on depressive items on the POMS (2.99±0.35 and 2.79±0.35, respectively; P=0.009). There was also a weak, but significant correlation between higher 99mTc-TRODAT-1 DVRs in the right caudate and depressive symptoms scores (r=0.23, P=0.05). ConclusionsThese data suggest that 99mTc-TRODAT-1 binding affinity to DAT sites may be associated with depressive affect in healthy subjects. The finding also supports prior observations of greater 99mTc-TRODAT-1 DVRs in patients with major depressive episode.
Origin of apolipoprotein A-I polymorphism in plasma.

The origin and the functional significance of apo-A-I polymorphism in man has been investigated. Together with proapo-A-I (identified as A-I1 of the polymorphic series), four other isoforms are found in human plasma, namely A-I2, A-I3, A-I4, and A-I5. A-I3 is the "mature" product of proapo-A-I conversion in plasma. In this study we provide evidence that the other, more acidic, mature apo-A-I isoproteins are derived from A-I3 by a stepwise deamidation process. This conclusion is based on the following observations. 1) Incubation of A-I3 or A-I4, either free or associated with high density lipoprotein, produces a series of more acidic isoproteins corresponding to the sequence found in plasma. The conversion process fits in well with a first order reaction, and A-I3 to A-I4 conversion occurs virtually at the same rate as A-I4 to A-I5 conversion. 2) A-I3 and A-I4 have the same NH2- and C-terminal residues. 3) Formation of apo-A-I acidic isoproteins is accompanied by liberation of ammonia. In order to investigate whether deamidation of apo-A-I results in the production of forms which have different catabolism, a series of turnover studies was carried out in normal volunteers. A-I3 and A-I4 residence times in plasma were, respectively, 3.50 +/- 0.16 and 3.00 +/- 0.10 days (mean +/- S.E.; n = 3). Degradation rate of A-I3 was 8.81 +/- 0.69 mg/kg/day and that of A-I4 was 1.66 +/- 0.15 mg/kg/day (mean +/- S.E.; n = 3). Conversion of A-I3 to A-I4 and A-I4 to A-I5 occurred at the same rate in vivo as that observed in vitro. These results are consistent with the concept that A-I3 is the precursor to the other mature apo-A-I isoforms in plasma. A-I3 is the major isoform through which apo-A-I is eliminated from plasma.
Methodological and Topic Trends in JGITM: A 10-Year Retrospect

ABSTRACT The Journal of Global Information Technology Management (JGITM) is an established journal, in its nineteenth year, and is a premier outlet for publishing research on global issues of information technology. In this report, the authors conduct an examination of the types of research published in JGITM over a ten-year period from 2006 to 2015. They also compare their findings with research published in two major journals: MIS Quarterly (MISQ) and European Journal of Information Systems (EJIS). The findings provide evidence that the journal is fully accomplishing its mission. It continues to achieve its “global/international” mission in IS research. Furthermore, it has published research on almost all IS topics and has employed various methodologies in the conduct of research.
Equilibrium Selection and Strategy: Experimental Evidence from an Infinitely Repeated Transboundary Public Goods Game

We design a transboundary public goods (TPG) game, in which participants have simultaneous interaction within and between groups. We design the TPG game under an infinitely repeated situation in order to explore the types of strategies that participants employ in infinitely repeated games. We theoretically identify a condition in which the grim-trigger strategy is supported as a strategy minimizing strategic risk in the TPG game. We experimentally investigate the types of strategies by eliciting all possible one-period-ahead strategy choices using the strategy method. We replicate the history of the game by simulation and classify the strategies using the affinity propagation clustering method. We find that the frequency of strategies in cooperative clusters is higher in the treatment with high continuation probability than that with low continuation probability. We find that participants employ strategies minimizing strategic risk in an infinitely repeated TPG game.
Analysis of Divided Policy and Its Impact on Shareholders Wealth Maximization in Nigerian Firms (A Study of Brewery Industry)

The study evaluated dividend policy and measured its impact on shareholdersi¯ wealth maximization in Nigerian firms (a study of brewery industry). A cross-survey research design was adopted and secondary data extracted from the published annual reports of the firms studied. The statistical tool used was a multi-regression analysis and t-test for hypotheses testing and data analysis with the aid of SPSS version 20. The result in Guinness Nigeria Plc. , indicated the irrelevance of dividend policy. From the result, the DPS, EPS and NAPS which were the explanatory variables, had no positive impact on the market value per share (MPS) both collectively and individually. The result from Nigeria Breweries Plc. , proved dividend policy is relevant to an extent to which earnings per share and net asset per share are positively affected. The F-ratio was 0.000 which shows a significant positive impact on the MPS. The earnings per share and net asset per share were also significant except the dividend per share which had no impact on the market value per share. The implication is that the growth in stock prices is not always a function of dividend payment.
Tyrosine Phosphorylation of the A Kinase Anchoring Protein 3 (AKAP3) and Soluble Adenylate Cyclase Are Involved in the Increase of Human Sperm Motility by Bicarbonate1

Abstract Mammalian testicular spermatozoa are immotile, thus, to reach the oocyte, they need to acquire swimming ability under the control of different factors acting during the sperm transit through the epididymis and the female genital tract. Although bicarbonate is known to physiologically increase motility by stimulating soluble adenylate cyclase (sAC) activity of mammalian spermatozoa, no extensive studies in human sperm have been performed yet to elucidate the additional molecular mechanisms involved. In this light, we investigated the effect of in vitro addition of bicarbonate to human spermatozoa on the main intracellular signaling pathways involved in regulation of motility, namely, intracellular cAMP production and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Bicarbonate effects were compared with those of the phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002, previously demonstrated to be a pharmacological stimulus for sperm motility. Bicarbonate addition to spermatozoa results in a significant increase in sperm motility as well as in several hyperactivation parameters. This stimulatory effect of bicarbonate and LY294002 is mediated by an increase in cAMP production and tyrosine phosphorylation of the A kinase anchoring protein, AKAP3. The specificity of bicarbonate effects was confirmed by inhibition with 4,4′-di-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid. We remark that, in human spermatozoa, bicarbonate acts primarily through activation of sAC to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of AKAP3 and sperm motility because both effects are blunted by the sAC inhibitor 2OH-estradiol. In conclusion, our data provide the first evidence that bicarbonate stimulates human sperm motility and hyperactivation through activation of sAC and tyrosine phosphorylation of AKAP3, finally leading to an increased recruitment of PKA to AKAP3.
Tardive parkinsonism in a bipolar patient: Post-mortem examination supports a physiological rather than pathological dysfunction

We describe a case of tardive parkinsonism in the setting of bipolar syndrome, and we offer pathological confirmation that idiopathic Parkinson disease was not the underlying etiology. A 74-year-old Hispanic woman with a history of bipolar disease was noted to have oro-buccal-lingual chorea and parkinsonian symptoms such as resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and gait disorder persisting several months after neuroleptic discontinuation. She had minor improvement in ambulation with levodopa treatment, and she significantly improved in ambulation only during her manic states. Examination of the subject's post-mortem brain revealed no explicit evidence of degeneration in substantia nigra or other brainstem centers, and no nigral or cortical Lewy bodies were present. Glial cytoplasmic inclusions (characteristic of multiple systems atrophy) and globose neurofibrillary tangles (seen in progressive supranuclear palsy) were not seen either. This patient's presentation was most consistent with neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia; the etiology was likely related to previous neuroleptic exposure.
Sociodemographic factors and risk-taking behaviour during adolescence and obesity among more than 40 000 Danes

Abstract Objective The prevalence of obesity has increased in the last decades in the Western world. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between risk-taking behaviour in adolescence and adult obesity in men and women. Furthermore, we wished to describe social differences in obesity in Denmark. Design Two population-based questionnaire studies (2004–2005 and 2006–2007) were used to collect information on weight and height, sociodemographic factors and factors regarding risk-taking behaviour during adolescence. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Setting Denmark. Subjects Individuals aged 18–45 years (men: n 22 827, participation rate 71·0 %; women: n 20 870, participation rate 81·4 %). Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was respectively 37·8 % and 10·6 % in men and 20·1 % and 9·7 % in women. In both sexes, obesity was found to be associated with older age, low level of schooling and living outside the capital centre. In relation to risk-taking behaviour, young age (≤13 years) at first intercourse significantly increased the odds of being obese in adulthood (men: OR = 1·34, 95 % CI 1·04, 1·71; women: OR = 1·66, 95 % CI 1·27, 1·99). In women specifically, young age at start drinking alcohol (≤12 years) was associated with obesity. Conclusions Sociodemographic factors, in particular age, level of schooling and area of residence, are associated with obesity in both men and women. Risk-taking behaviour during adolescence seems to cluster in both obese men and obese women, however most convincingly in women.
Life‐table analysis of stomal complications following ileostomy

Stomal complications of ileostomy may occur many years after construction. An actuarial analysis of complications of 150 permanent end ileostomies constructed over a 10‐year period is reported. By 20 years the incidence of stomal complications approached 76 per cent in patients operated on for ulcerative colitis and 59 per cent in those with Crohn's disease (P < 0·05). Revisional surgery rates were higher in patients with ulcerative colitis than in those with Crohn's disease (28 versus 16 per cent), albeit not significantly. The four commonest complications were skin problems (cumulative probability 34 per cent), intestinal obstruction (23 per cent), retraction (17 per cent) and parastomal herniation (16 per cent). Closure of the lateral space did not reduce the probability of developing intestinal obstruction (18 per cent at 20 years in those with closure versus 3 per cent in those without, P gt; 0·1). Fixation of the mesentery did not reduce the probability of developing prolapse of the ileostomy (11 per cent in those with fixation versus none in those without, P < 0·1). The incidence of parastomal herniation was not reduced by siting through the rectus abdominis (21 per cent in those sited through the body of the rectus abdominis versus 7 per cent in those sited through the oblique muscles, P < 0·1). Some of the surgical dogmas relating to ileostomy construction are not supported by the results of this study.
Dobutamine restores intestinal mucosal blood flow in a porcine model of intra‐abdominal hyperpressure

Objective: To assess the effects of dopamine and dobutamine administration on the systemic and mesenteric (macro‐ and microvascular) circulatory disturbances induced by intra‐abdominal hyperpressure. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Animal research laboratory in a university hospital. Subjects: Twenty‐five pigs of either gender, weighing 30‐35 kg. Interventions: Animals were anesthetized, and their lungs were mechanically ventilated. Pulmonary artery flotation and carotid artery catheters were inserted for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. A perivascular flow probe was placed around the superior mesenteric artery, and a laser Doppler probe was positioned in the lumen of the ileum to measure arterial and intestinal mucosal blood flows, respectively. CO2 was insuffiated into the peritoneal cavity to reach an intra‐abdominal pressure of 15 mm Hg, and 60 mins later, animals received dopamine (5 μg/kg/min; n = 10), dobutamine (5 μg/kg/min; n = 10), or saline (n = 5) for 30 mins. Measurements and Main Results: Peritoneal CO2 insufflation induced significant increases in heart rate, arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance with concomitant decreases in cardiac output and superior mesenteric arterial and intestinal mucosal blood flows. Although dobutamine infusion reversed the decrease in cardiac output, it failed to restore superior mesenteric artery blood flow; however, intestinal mucosal blood flow returned to baseline levels. Dopamine also attenuated the decrease in cardiac output, but it had no beneficial effect on splanchnic hemodynamic variables. Conclusions: Low‐dose infusion of dobutamine, but not dopamine, corrects the Intestinal mucosal perfusion impairment induced by moderate increases in intra‐abdominal pressure.
Major League Baseball pace-of-play rules and their influence on predicted muscle fatigue during simulated baseball games

ABSTRACT Major League Baseball (MLB) has proposed rule changes to speed up baseball games. Reducing the time between pitches may impair recovery from fatigue. Fatigue is a known precursor to injury and may jeopardise joint stability. This study examined how fatigue accumulated during baseball games and how different pace of play initiatives may influence fatigue. Pitcher data were retrieved from a public database. A predictive model of muscle fatigue estimated muscle fatigue in 8 arm muscles. A self-selected pace (22.7 s), 12 s pace (Rule 8.04 from the MLB) and a 20 s rest (a pitch clock examined in the 2014 Arizona Fall League (AFL)) were examined. Significantly more muscle fatigue existed in both the AFL and Rule 8.04 conditions, when compared to the self-selected pace condition (5.01 ± 1.73%, 3.95 ± 1.20% and 3.70 ± 1.10% MVC force lost, respectively). Elevated levels of muscle fatigue are predicted in the flexor–pronator mass, which is responsible for providing elbow stability. Reduced effectiveness of the flexor–pronator mass may reduce the active contributions to joint rotational stiffness, increasing strain on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and possibly increasing injury risk.
Extending the Sub-Sea-Floor Biosphere

Sub‐sea-floor sediments may contain two-thirds of Earth's total prokaryotic biomass. However, this has its basis in data extrapolation from ~500-meter to 4-kilometer depths, whereas the deepest documented prokaryotes are from only 842 meters. Here, we provide evidence for low concentrations of living prokaryotic cells in the deepest (1626 meters below the sea floor), oldest (111 million years old), and potentially hottest (~100�C) marine sediments investigated. These Newfoundland margin sediments also have DNA sequences related to thermophilic and/or hyperthermophilic Archaea. These form two unique clusters within Pyrococcus and Thermococcus genera, suggesting unknown, uncultured groups are present in deep, hot, marine sediments (~54� to 100�C). Sequences of anaerobic methane-oxidizing Archaea were also present, suggesting a deep biosphere partly supported by methane. These findings demonstrate that the sub‐sea-floor biosphere extends to at least 1600 meters below the sea floor and probably deeper, given an upper temperature limit for prokaryotic life of at least 113�C and increasing thermogenic energy supply with depth.
Pretransplant serum FT3 levels in kidney graft recipients are useful for identifying patients with higher risk for graft failure

Objective End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is a condition associated with thyroid disturbances both in function and morphology. Recent studies demonstrated that serum free triiodothyronine 3 (FT3) levels are negatively correlated with serum markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in patients with ESRD. However, no previous research evaluated serum thyroid function parameters in relation to kidney graft outcome, as we aim to do so in this study.
Economic burden of knee and hip osteoarthritis in Spain.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the direct and indirect osteoarthritis (OA)-attributable costs and predictors of costs of knee and hip OA in Spain. METHODS This study included consecutive patients age > or = 50 years with symptomatic and radiologic knee and/or hip OA who were seen at primary care centers in all provinces of Spain. Information on demographics, health status (Short Form 12 Health Survey), comorbidities (Charlson Index), clinical (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) and radiologic OA severity (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] scale), data related to OA health resources utilization (medical and nonmedical), and subjects' and caregivers' expenses and time lost in the previous 6 months were collected in 2 separate, structured, and detailed interviews. Costs in euros were assigned using market prices and official sources if available, and were annualized (to 2007). The predictors of costs were assessed in multivariate regression models. Costs were log-transformed before being modeled. RESULTS A total of 1,071 subjects were analyzed (74% women, mean +/- SD age 71 +/- 9 years). Average total annual costs were euro1,502 per patient. Direct costs accounted for 86% of the total cost. We estimated a national cost of euro4,738 million, representing 0.5% of the gross national product. Higher total costs were associated with comorbidity (Charlson Index odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.03-1.58), poorer health status (P < 0.050), worse WOMAC scores (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.08), and grade 4 K/L scores (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.15-2.69). CONCLUSION The economic burden of knee and hip OA is substantial. Costs increased with comorbidity, poorer health status, and clinical and radiologic OA severity.
Bimanual coordination deficits with Parkinson's disease: The influence of movement speed and external cueing

Continuous coordinated movement of the upper limbs performed at different movement frequencies, and with different external timing conditions, was examined in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy, age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Participants performed symmetric in‐phase movements toward and away from the midline of the body, and isodirectional anti‐phase movements at one of three metronome speeds (0.75, 1.25, and 1.75 Hz), and in two different auditory cueing conditions (cue present, cue absent). Measures of relative phase accuracy (absolute mean error) and stability (standard deviation) revealed that individuals with PD performed in‐phase movements as well as the controls, while anti‐phase movements were performed with greater mean error and variability. The adverse effects of PD on the anti‐phase task were also reflected by freezing (8.1% of anti‐phase trials) and hypometric deficits (5.1% of anti‐phase trials) during movement. None of these PD‐related impairments occurred during in‐phase trials. The overall accuracy or stability of movement coordination was not improved with the presence of external pacing cues, suggesting that although execution impairments of individuals with PD may be dramatically influenced by attention, external cueing does not necessarily improve movement performance. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society.
An international comparison of patterns of participation in leisure activities for children with and without disabilities in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands

Purpose: To investigate whether there are differences in participation in leisure activities between children with and without disabilities in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands and how much personal and environmental factors explain leisure performance. Methods: In a cross-sectional analytic design, the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment, CAPE, was performed with 278 children with disabilities and 599 children without disabilities aged 6–17 years. A one-way between-groups ANOVA explored the differences in participation between the countries. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed if age, gender, educational level, living area and country of residence explained the variance in participation. Results: Scandinavian children with disabilities participated in more activities with higher frequency compared to Dutch children. The strongest predictor was country of residence. For children without disabilities, differences existed in informal activities, the strongest predictor was gender. Conclusion: Differences in school- and support systems between the countries seem to influence patterns of participation, affecting children with disabilities most.
Low intensity, mixed livestock grazing improves the breeding abundance of a common insectivorous passerine

Abstract Livestock grazing is a major driver of ecosystem change and has been associated with significant declines in various bird species in Britain and worldwide. However, there is little experimental evidence to show how grazing affects bird populations. We manipulated livestock densities in a replicated field experiment and found that mixed sheep and cattle grazing, at low intensity, improved the breeding abundance of a common upland passerine, the meadow pipit Anthus pratensis, after two years. Plots stocked with sheep alone (at high or low density) or not stocked at all held fewer pipit territories. Despite a year-on-year decline in pairs of meadow pipits in intensively grazed plots, we found no effect of sheep number on breeding abundance. Our results support the hypothesis that mixed species of herbivores generate greater heterogeneity in vegetation structure, which modifies prey availability, resulting in a greater abundance of birds. The results of our study should inform the management of grassland areas and enhance the abundance of some bird species, particularly in areas that have seen significant shifts from mixed livestock grazing to grazing dominated by single species of animals.