Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effectiveness of a Regional Virtual Tumor Board vs. StandardCare for Patients with Hepatocellular Cancer in a Regional HealthNetwork

Endovascular aneurysm repair with visceral artery incorporation using fenestrated devices has gained widespread acceptance as a feasible alternative to the traditional open repair for the management of juxta-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, complications with this endovascular technique continue to emerge. We present a patient who developed de novo inflammatory aortic aneurysm 3 years following endovascular repair of a juxta-renal AAA using a fenestrated stent graft.
Adolescent vegetarians: how well do their dietary patterns meet the healthy people 2010 objectives?

OBJECTIVES To examine whether adolescent vegetarians were more likely than nonvegetarian peers to meet the dietary recommendations of the Healthy People 2010 objectives and to examine differences in other nutrients between these 2 groups. DESIGN A total of 4746 adolescents from 31 middle and high schools in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Data were collected via self-report surveys, with a student response rate of 81.5%. SETTING Urban secondary schools. PARTICIPANTS Participants were equally divided by sex. The mean age was 14.9 years; 34.3% were in junior high school and 65.7% in high school. The racial/ethnic distribution was 48.5% white, 19.0% African American, 19.2% Asian American, 5.8% Hispanic, 3.5% American Indian, and 3.9% mixed or other. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Questions on vegetarian status and whether particular foods (eggs, dairy foods, chicken, fish) were excluded. Dietary intake was assessed using the Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire. RESULTS Vegetarian adolescents were significantly more likely than nonvegetarian adolescents to meet the Healthy People 2010 objectives. This was particularly noteworthy for total fat (70% vs 48%), saturated fat (65% vs 39%), daily servings of vegetables (26% vs 14%), and 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables (39% vs 28%). Vegetarians were also less likely to eat fast food or drink regular soda and fruit drinks. Vegetarians consumed less vitamin B(12), more diet soda, more caffeine, and more iron. CONCLUSION Adolescent vegetarians have a dietary pattern that is more likely than nonvegetarians to meet the Healthy People 2010 objectives.
Injection of Inactivated Phase I Coxiella burnetii Increases Non‐specific Resistance to Infection and Stimulates Lymphokine Production in Mice

The encounter of phase I C. burnetii with the host results in seemingly disparate consequences. On the one hand, in vitro lymphocyte responses to mitogens and homologous recall antigen are suppressed. On the other, host resistance to a variety of infectious agents and to a tumor is increased. An explanation for this augmented immune response surely involves the ability of C. burnetii to stimulate cytokines, such as interferon and TNF, which enhance host immune function.
Impact of TMS on the primary motor cortex and associated spinal systems

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is able to modulate corticospinal and intracortical motor cortex excitability, depending on the stimulation parameters. In the present study, we explored the effects of highand low-frequency rTMS on spinal reflex monosynaptic responses (H waves or H reflexes) in humans recorded from the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle. After 1-Hz rTMS, H-wave minimal and optimal thresholds were decreased by 14-22% of their pre-rTMS values. The maximal H-wave and H/M amplitude ratio were both significantly increased by 52-54%, whereas direct muscle responses (M waves) remained unchanged. The area under the H-wave recruitment curve was also significantly increased by 86 /spl plusmn/ 21% of its pre-rTMS baseline values. Conversely, after 20-Hz rTMS, H-wave minimal and optimal thresholds were both increased by 15-26%. The maximal H wave and H/M amplitude ratio were significantly decreased by -37 /spl plusmn/ 11%, whereas M responses remained unchanged. The area under the H-response recruitment curve was also significantly decreased by -45/spl plusmn/5%. Neither 20-Hz nor 1-Hz sham rTMS induced noticeable changes in M or H responses. We conclude that 1-Hz rTMS applied to primary motor areas increases the monosynaptic spinal cord H reflex, whereas 20-Hz rTMS induces the opposite effect, presumably by modulating inhibitory descending conicospinal projections onto spinal motoneurons. These results offer an opportunity to influence the level of spinal excitability and modify descending corticospinal influences in a controlled manner using noninvasive approaches that could prove useful in the study of the pathophysiology and eventual treatment of spasticity.
Predicting Sprint Kinematic Parameters From Anaerobic Field Tests in Physical Education Students

The relations among kinematic parameters measured during the first 10 seconds of 100-m sprint and anaerobic tests were studied in 22 male physical education students. During the first 10 seconds of the sprint, the position of the runners was ‘’continuously‘’ measured with a laser telemeter. Maximal acceleration (Amax), maximal velocity (Vmax), and time to reach Vmax (tVmax) were derived from position data. In addition, the subjects performed anaerobic tests: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and force-velocity test to measure maximal power, maximal theoretical cranking velocity (V0), maximal theoretical isometric force, and the Wingate anaerobic test (30 seconds). The mean 100-m run time of the subjects was 12.6 ± 0.9 seconds. The highest correlations were calculated between Amax and V0 (r = 0.55, p < 0.01) and CMJ (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and Vmax and SJ (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and CMJ (r = 0.56, p < 0.05). The tVmax was uncorrelated to other tests. Because the CMJ was the anaerobic performance best correlated to the different kinematic parameters of the run, our results fail to identify one anaerobic test that specifically explains one sprint kinematic parameter.
Study of the influence high-voltage power lines on environment and human health (case study: The electromagnetic pollution in Tebessa city, Algeria)

In this paper we present a modeling and simulation, the methodology for calculating the electromagnetic field radiated by the high voltage (HV) lines and for selection of analytical models that interpret the electric and magnetic fields as a function of the distance to the target object. The results were compared with measurements carried out on site where the HV lines are present through a neighborhood of a large agglomeration in the city of Tebessa, for over 50 years. Following published standards establishing the human to HV power line distances for professional exposure or in the case of low frequency field exposure the results obtained by calculations /simulation and measurement in this work, enable us to recommend possible solutions for the electromagnetic pollution issues in the town of Tebessa and thus to reduce the permanent danger to the public considering also the legislative vacuum and the poor preoccupation of official authorities.
Effect of periodontitis on insulin resistance and the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

BACKGROUND Studies indicate that an association exists between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or obesity, with chronic inflammation hypothesized as the common denominator. The purpose of this study was to determine the causal effect of periodontitis and the concomitant impact of diet on the onset of insulin resistance (IR) and T2DM using a rat model system that simulates human obesity and T2DM. METHODS Twenty-eight, 5-week-old female Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF, fa/fa) rats were divided into four groups of seven animals: high-fat fed-periodontitis (HF/P), high-fat fed-no periodontitis (HF/C), low-fat fed-periodontitis (LF/P), and low-fat fed-no periodontitis (LF/C). Periodontitis was induced by ligature placement. Fasting plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured, and glucose tolerance tests were performed to assess glucose homeostasis, IR, and the onset of T2DM. The level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), leptin, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were determined in week 13 at sacrifice. RESULTS HF/P rats developed more severe IR compared to HF/C rats (P <0.01) and LF/P or LF/C rats (P <0.001) as measured by fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment analysis. The onset of severe IR occurred approximately 3 weeks earlier in HF/P rats compared to HF/C rats. HF/P rats developed impaired (110 to 125 mg/dl) and frank fasting hyperglycemia (>125 mg/dl) 2 weeks earlier than HF/C rats. There was no difference in the severity and onset of IR and T2DM between LF/P and LF/C rats. The level of TNF-alpha was significantly higher in HF/P rats compared to HF/C rats (P <0.01). CONCLUSION Periodontitis accelerated the onset of severe IR and impaired glucose homeostasis in high-fat fed ZDF rats.
Is the expressive vocabulary of young Cantonese speakers noun or verb dominated?

The spontaneous utterances produced by 492 Cantonese‐speaking children aged 36–60 months in 30‐minute toy play contexts were collected. The incidence and percentage of different lexical classes, the ratio of noun and verb types and tokens were calculated. A statistically significant predominance of verb usage was found in the expressive utterances of the children. No similar predominance was found for nouns. Linguistic, cultural and contextual variables possibly underlying these outcomes are explored and discussed.
Alcohol and B1 vitamin deficiency-related stillbirths

Objective. The present study attempts to determine whether prenatal thiamine (B1 vitamin) deficiency and prenatal alcohol exposure are risk factors for stillbirths. Methods. From conception to parturition, Wistar rat dams were exposed to the following treatments: (1) Rat dams consuming a thiamine-deficient diet; (2) 12% alcohol/water drinking mothers; (3) mothers drinking 12% alcohol/water + thiamine hydrochloride mixture. Appropriate pair-fed controls and ad libitum controls were assessed. Gestation outcome and fetal parameters, including spontaneous abortion, still-born fetuses, litter size and birth weight, were assessed from the dams of each experimental group. Results. Both alcohol and thiamine deficiency during pregnancy increased fetal death (48.26%vs. 84.47%), reduced litter size (44.54%vs. 72.7%), respectively, and lowered birth weight. Thiamine administration reversed the effects of alcohol-induced fetal death, suggesting that a part of deleterious actions of alcohol on fetal death was mediated by thiamine deficiency. Prenatal thiamine deficiency increased singularly spontaneous abortion with abundant bleeding (40%), rising the occurrence of stillbirth. Such a pathology was not observed in alcohol group. Conclusions. The results indexed thiamine deficiency as a potent risk factor for stillbirths. The vitamin supply during pregnancy prevents stillbirths related to chronic alcoholism and different facets of malnutrition.
Comparison of biochemical and cytotoxic functions of hepatocytes from goat, pig and human fetuses

Background and Aim: To overcome the problem of shortage of donor organs, xenotransplantation of cells offers an alternative to orthotopic transplantation. Of the higher animals, the pig is considered as a suitable donor because of the similarity in size and function of pig organs to human organs. However, successful transplantation of pig organs/cells for human therapy is limited by hyperacute rejection, improper functioning of xenografts and the risk of transmission of endogenous retroviruses to the recipient. Thus, there is a pressing need to explore an alternate mammalian source to bridge the gap between the donor and the recipient waiting for transplantation. This has warranted us to explore the application of goat hepatocytes as a treatment modality in acute liver failure.
Hepatitis C and Alcohol: Interactions, Outcomes, and Implications

Background Alcoholism and chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection are common causes of liver disease worldwide. Hepatitis C virus and alcohol use frequently coexist, and together lead to more rapid progression of liver disease. Goals To critically review the literature pertaining to the combined effects of alcohol and HCV, focusing primarily on how alcohol influences the natural history, pathogenesis, and treatment of HCV liver disease. Study A thorough review of the English literature was conducted, using a MEDLINE-based computerized literature search and review of cited references. Results Hepatitis C virus is prevalent in unselected alcoholic populations (14–36%) and in alcoholic individuals with liver disease (≤51%). Hepatitis C virus–infected individuals who drink alcohol in excess have more severe histologic injury, more rapid disease progression, and a higher frequency of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcohol use also appears to decrease response rates to interferon therapy. The mechanisms of interaction between alcohol and HCV are not fully understood, but they likely include the effects of alcohol on the host immune system and the virus and on other factors possibly related to HCV liver disease and hepatic carcinogenesis. Conclusions Alcohol use and HCV infection frequently coexist. Although there is ample evidence that alcohol use adversely affects the natural history of HCV liver disease, how the two interact is not well understood. Patients with chronic HCV should be encouraged to avoid alcohol; however, the threshold above which alcohol results in accelerated liver disease remains to be determined.
A framework for enterprise application integration for third-party logistics

In a third-party logistics (3PLs) cross-enterprise environment, Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) is directly associated with the performance of the business. However there are still significant challenges in terms of how EAI is approached, operated and implemented. The challenges mainly arise from the lack of industry specific guidelines for EAI usage in 3PL environment. This paper's main objective was to design a framework for EAI in 3PL and how EAI is carried out in the 3PL environment. The findings resulted in a set of factors that were used in the designing of a robust structured EAI framework specific for 3PL environment. The framework identifies three broad groups of EAI factors in Third-Party logistics, namely Strategic Factors, Tactical Factors, and Operational Factors. Most of the factors identified in the literature for EAI projects are still pertinent in the 3PL environment, however, issues relating to the interactions with the client/shipper with regards to projects and operations have presented a unique dimension to EAI projects in the 3PL environment.
Mechanisms of stretch‐induced muscle damage in normal and dystrophic muscle: role of ionic changes

Muscle damage, characterized by prolonged weakness and delayed onset of stiffness and soreness, is common following contractions in which the muscles are stretched. Stretch‐induced damage of this sort is more pronounced in the muscular dystrophies and the profound muscle damage observed in these conditions may involve similar pathways. It has been known for many years that damaged muscles accumulate calcium and that elevating calcium in normal muscles simulates many aspects of muscle damage. The changes in intracellular calcium, sodium and pH following stretched contractions are reviewed and the various pathways which have been proposed to allow ion entry are discussed. One possibility is that TRPC1 (transient receptor potential, canonical), a protein which seems to form both a stretch‐activated channel and a store‐operated channel, is the main source of Ca2+ entry. The mechanisms by which the changes in intracellular ions contribute to reduced force production, to increased protein breakdown and to increased membrane permeability are considered. A hypothetical scheme for muscle damage which incorporates these ideas is presented.
In Vitro Activation of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in Ramified Microglial Cells from Asymptomatically Infected Cats

ABSTRACT Intravenous infection of cats with feline immunodeficiency virus was used as a model system to study activation of virus replication in brain-resident microglial cells in vitro. Virus release by ramified microglial cells isolated from subclinically infected animals was detectable in cell-free tissue culture supernatant only by reverse transcription and nested PCR of gag-specific RNA sequences and not by virion-associated reverse transcriptase activity. In contrast, cocultivation of in vivo-infected microglial cells with mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) regularly allows detection of high virus yields in cell-free tissue culture fluid. Besides uptake and multiplication of microglia-derived virus in PBMC, release of virus from microglia is stimulated by cell contact with PBMC. The data suggest that T lymphocytes patrolling the central nervous system could reactivate the semilatent state of lentiviruses in microglial cells in the course of clinically silent central nervous system infection.
Renormalized couplings and scaling correction amplitudes in the N -vector spin models on the sc and the bcc lattices

For the classical N-vector model, with arbitrary $N,$ we have computed through order ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{17}$ the high-temperature expansions of the second field derivative of the susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{4}(N,\ensuremath{\beta})$ on the simple cubic and on the body centered cubic lattices. [The N-vector model is also known as the $O(N)$ symmetric classical spin Heisenberg model or, in quantum field theory, as the lattice $O(N)$ nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model. ] By analyzing the expansion of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{4}(N,\ensuremath{\beta})$ on the two lattices, and by carefully allowing for the corrections to scaling, we obtain updated estimates of the critical parameters and more accurate tests of the hyperscaling relation $d\ensuremath{\nu}(N)+\ensuremath{\gamma}(N)\ensuremath{-}2{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{4}(N)=0$ for a range of values of the spin dimensionality $N,$ including $N=0$ (the self-avoiding walk model), $N=1$ (the Ising spin 1/2 model), $N=2$ (the $\mathrm{XY}$ model), $N=3$ (the classical Heisenberg model). Using the recently extended series for the susceptibility and for the second correlation moment, we also compute the dimensionless renormalized four point coupling constants and some universal ratios of scaling correction amplitudes in fair agreement with recent renormalization group estimates.
Vasomotion in the leg skin of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

The characteristics of vasomotor activity in patients with lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) were studied using Laser Doppler fluxmetry and frequency analysis. Laser Doppler flux in the skin was recorded in the goiter region in 17 patients with LDS due to venous disease and in 16 normal control subjects. The Laser Doppler signals were analysed to give mean levels of flux and the frequency and amplitude of vasomotion were found using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The results show significantly greater basal flow (p less than .001), and vasomotor frequency (p less than .001) and amplitude (p less than .001) in venous disease. The altered vasomotor activity is not due simply to the increased flow in LDS since increasing the flow in normal skin using the vasodilator pilocarpine does not produce as noticeable a difference.
Typological Measures of Shyness: Additive, Interactive, and Categorical

Abstract A typological model of shyness as neurotic-introversion has been suggested but never evaluated. We compared the ability of two direct measures of trait-shyness (Revised Shyness scale, Social Anxiety scale) and two typological measures (additive and interactive versions of neurotic-introversion) to predict peer-rated shyness and talk-time in leaderless groups. One hundred and twenty participants, initially unacquainted, met in small weekly discussion groups. At weeks 2 and 7, participants rated their group members on current shyness and talk-time. The two direct-measures and the additive typological measure showed substantial validities at both points in time. Although not as effective, Introversion was predictive at both times but Neuroticism only at Time 2. Little support was found for either the interactive or categorical measure.
A common variant in the patatin‐like phospholipase 3 gene (PNPLA3) is associated with fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents

The genetic factors associated with susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in pediatric obesity remain largely unknown. Recently, a nonsynonymous single‐nucleotide polymorphism (rs738409), in the patatin‐like phospholipase 3 gene (PNPLA3) has been associated with hepatic steatosis in adults. In a multiethnic group of 85 obese youths, we genotyped the PNLPA3 single‐nucleotide polymorphism, measured hepatic fat content by magnetic resonance imaging and insulin sensitivity by the insulin clamp. Because PNPLA3 might affect adipogenesis/lipogenesis, we explored the putative association with the distribution of adipose cell size and the expression of some adipogenic/lipogenic genes in a subset of subjects who underwent a subcutaneous fat biopsy. Steatosis was present in 41% of Caucasians, 23% of African Americans, and 66% of Hispanics. The frequency of PNPLA3(rs738409) G allele was 0.324 in Caucasians, 0.183 in African Americans, and 0.483 in Hispanics. The prevalence of the G allele was higher in subjects showing hepatic steatosis. Surprisingly, subjects carrying the G allele showed comparable hepatic glucose production rates, peripheral glucose disposal rate, and glycerol turnover as the CC homozygotes. Carriers of the G allele showed smaller adipocytes than those with CC genotype (P = 0.005). Although the expression of PNPLA3, PNPLA2, PPARγ2(peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma 2), SREBP1c(sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c), and ACACA(acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase) was not different between genotypes, carriers of the G allele showed lower leptin (LEP)(P = 0.03) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression (P = 0.04). Conclusion: A common variant of the PNPLA3 gene confers susceptibility to hepatic steatosis in obese youths without increasing the level of hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance. The rs738409 PNPLA3 G allele is associated with morphological changes in adipocyte cell size. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
What active labor market policy works in a recession

This paper discusses the case for expanding active labor market policy in recession. We find that there is reasonable case for relying more heavily on certain kinds of programs. The argument is tied to the varying size of the lock-in effect in boom and recession. If programs with relatively large lock-in effects should ever be used, they should be used in a downturn. The reason is simply that the cost of forgoing search time is lower in recession. We also provide new evidence on the relative effectiveness of different kinds of programs over the business cycle. In particular we compare an on-the-job training scheme with (traditional) labor market training. We find that labor market training is relatively more effective in recession. This result is consistent with our priors since labor market training features relative large lock-in effects.