Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and safety of sibutramine for weight loss: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND The primary goal of weight loss is to prevent or reduce obesity-associated morbidity and mortality by improving cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. We conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of sibutramine hydrochloride for weight loss. METHODS In April 2002, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and 7 other computerized bibliographic search tools using the keywords "sibutramine," "Meridia," and "Reductil" (in all languages and all available years). The authors and the manufacturer were contacted. We reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials of sibutramine, 10 to 20 mg/d, in obese adults. Methodological quality was assessed. RESULTS A total of 29 trials had sufficient data for analysis after including unpublished data from 10 authors. The summary mean differences in weight loss, sibutramine minus placebo, for the 3-month and 1-year trials were -2.78 kg (95% confidence interval, -2.26 to -3.29 kg) and -4.45 kg (95% confidence interval, -3.62 to -5.29 kg), respectively. The 6-month trials were statistically heterogeneous, and evidence of publication bias was found. One trial found that sibutramine maintains weight loss better than placebo at 2 years. Weight loss with sibutramine was associated with modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure, small improvements in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and, among diabetic patients, small improvements in glycemic control. There was no direct evidence that sibutramine reduces obesity-associated morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS Sibutramine is effective in promoting weight loss. Weight loss with sibutramine is associated with both positive and negative changes in cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. There is insufficient evidence to accurately determine the long-term risk-benefit profile for sibutramine.
Ground‐nesting by the chimpanzees of the Nimba Mountains, Guinea: environmentally or socially determined?

The chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) of the Nimba Mountains, Guinea, West Africa, commonly make both elaborate (“night”) and simple (“day”) nests on the ground. In this study we investigated which factors might influence ground‐nesting in this population, and tested two ecological hypotheses: 1) climatic conditions, such as high wind speeds at high altitudes, may deter chimpanzees from nesting in trees; and 2) a lack of appropriate arboreal nesting opportunities may drive the chimpanzees to nest on the ground. In addition to testing these two hypotheses, we explored whether ground‐nesting is a sex‐linked behavior. Data were collected monthly between August 2003 and May 2004 along transects and ad libitum. To identify the sex of ground‐nesting individuals, we used DNA extracted from hair samples. The results showed that the occurrence and distribution of ground nests were not affected by climatic conditions or a lack of appropriate nest trees. Support was found for the notion that ground‐nesting is a sex‐linked behavior, as males were responsible for building all of the elaborate ground nests and most of the simple ground nests sampled. Elaborate ground nests occurred mostly in nest groups associated with tree nests, whereas simple ground nests usually occurred without tree nests in their vicinity. These results suggest that ground‐nesting may be socially, rather than ecologically, determined. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1–13, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phytate phosphorus intake and disappearance in the gastrointestinal tract of high producing dairy cows.

Thirty Holstein cows were fed diets of 50% grain and 50% corn silage (dry matter basis) through the first 18 wk of lactation. Grain mixes were supplemented with inorganic calcium sources (aragonite, calcite flour, or albacar) to provide . 6 or . 9% dietary calcium (dry matter basis). Phytate phosphorus intake averaged 38.3 and 42.6 g/d in digestion trials conducted during wk 4 and 10 of lactation, respectively. Even though large quantities of feed and significant amounts of grain were consumed, 98% of dietary phytate phosphorus was hydrolyzed to inorganic phosphorus. Neither calcium source nor calcium quantity affected the hydrolysis of phytate phosphorus.
Does Arms Length Banking Impact Financial Reporting? Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Exploiting a landmark reform that increased secured-creditor enforcement rights in India, this study investigates whether a shift in the contracting regime impacted the financial reporting of firms. Using a differences-in-differences design with secured borrowers as the treated group, I find that the treated firms improved financial reporting quality. A potential driving factor for these results is the increasing reliance on hard financial information by creditors due to an ensuing shift towards arms length banking. Subsequently, the effects are stronger for firms that have a single bank lender, and for firms threatened by an inefficient liquidation. Overall, this study provides evidence that increased scrutiny of financial information by creditors can induce better financial reporting quality.
Short CommunicationChronic stress leaves novelty-seeking behavior intact while impairing spatial recognition memory in the Y-maze

This experiment examined whether chronic stress disrupts novelty-seeking behavior under conditions that impair spatial memory. Rats were restrained for 6 h per day for 21 days, then tested in either a traditional spatial recognition Y-maze that requires extra-maze spatial cues to navigate or a version with salient intra-maze cues in addition to the extra-maze spatial cues. As previously shown, chronic restraint stress impaired performance on the spatial version of the Y-maze. However, chronically stressed rats performed well in the intra-maze cue version. The results indicate that the deficits in Y-maze performance following chronic stress are not attributed to neophobia, but likely reflect neurochemical and/or neurobiological changes underlying spatial memory ability.
Evolution of activity-dependent adaptive Boolean networks towards criticality: an analytic approach

We propose new activity-dependent adaptive Boolean networks inspired by the cis-regulatory mechanism in gene regulatory networks. We analytically show that our model can be solved for stationary in-degree distribution for a wide class of update rules by employing the annealed approximation of Boolean network dynamics and that evolved Boolean networks have a preassigned average sensitivity that can be set independently of update rules if certain conditions are satisfied. In particular, when it is set to 1, our theory predicts that the proposed network rewiring algorithm drives Boolean networks towards criticality. We verify that these analytic results agree well with numerical simulations for four representative update rules. We also discuss the relationship between sensitivity of update rules and stationary in-degree distributions and compare it with that in real-world gene regulatory networks.
Oncogenic phosphatase Wip1 is a novel prognostic marker for lung adenocarcinoma patient survival

DNA damage response pathways are important for maintaining genomic stability. The oncogenic phosphatase Wip1 plays a crucial role in DNA damage response by inhibiting several cell cycle proteins, including p53. Although Wip1 gene amplification has been reported in various primary tumors, including lung cancer, its biological significance for survival of primary lung tumor patients remains unclear. We investigated the expression of Wip1 in cancer epithelial cells immunohistochemically in 84 consecutive resected cases of lung adenocarcinoma. Increased Wip1 expression was observed in 54 (64.3%) of the 84 cases. Wip1 expression was found to be correlated significantly with two clinicopathological factors: γ‐H2AX expression, and invasion to the pulmonary vein. A univariate analysis and log–rank test indicated a significant association between Wip1 expression and lower overall survival rate (P = 0.019 and P = 0.0099, respectively). A multivariate analysis also indicated a statistically significant association between increased Wip1 expression and lower overall survival rate (hazard ratio, 4.3; P = 0.026). The Ki67 index level was higher in the Wip1‐positive group than in the negative group (P < 0.04, Mann–Whitney U‐test). Moreover, in a subgroup analysis of only stage I patients, increased Wip1 expression was also significantly associated with a lower overall survival rate (P = 0.023, log–rank test). These results indicate that the increased expression of Wip1 in cancer epithelial cells has significant value for tumor progression and the clinical prognosis of patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma. (Cancer Sci, 2011; 102: 1101–1106)
CD8+ T Lymphocyte-Mediated Loss of Marginal Metallophilic Macrophages following Infection with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS1

The splenic architecture is essential for the quick resolution of a primary infection with Plasmodium. A critical component of this architecture is the marginal zone (MZ), an area of the spleen that separates the reticuloendothelial red pulp of the spleen from the lymphoid white pulp compartment. There are two unique macrophage populations found in the MZ: MZ macrophages (MZM) found on the outer border of the MZ, and marginal metallophilic macrophages (MMM) found on the inner border, adjacent to the white pulp. We investigated the homeostasis of MMM and MZM following infection with Plasmodium chabaudi and demonstrated that a complete loss of both MMM and MZM occurred by the time of peak parasitemia, 8 days after infection. The loss was not induced by up-regulation of the inflammatory cytokines TNF or IFN-γ. In contrast, following only CD8+ T cell depletion (not dendritic cell), MMM but not MZM were retained, implicating CD8+ T cells in the P. chabaudi-induced loss of MMM. Retention of MMM occurred in mice deficient in CD95, CD95-ligand, and perforin, indicating that these signals are involved in the death pathway of MMM. These data have significant implications for the understanding of the immune-mediated pathology of the spleen as a result of infection with Plasmodium.
Effects of some metal ions on rainbow trout erythrocytes glutathione S-transferase enzyme: an in vitro study

Glutathione S-transferase enzyme (GST) (EC 2.5.1.18) was purified from rainbow trout erythrocytes, and some characteristics of the enzyme and effects of some metal ions on enzyme activity were investigated. For this purpose, erythrocyte glutathione S-transferase enzyme which has 16.54 EU/mg protein specific activities was purified 11,026-fold by glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography with a yield of 59%. Temperature was kept under control (+4°C) during purification. Enzyme purification was checked by performing SDS-PAGE. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, and KM and Vmax values for GSH and 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) were also determined for the enzyme. In addition, IC50 values, Ki constants and the type of inhibition were determined by means of Line-Weaver-Burk graphs obtained for such inhibitors as Ag+; Cd2+, Cr2+ and Mg2+.
The effect of foreign aid on foreign direct investment iInflows: Evidence from Africa

APA Citation Michael, J. (2018). The effect of foreign aid on foreign direct investment iInflows: Evidence from Africa [Master's Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/478 MLA Citation Michael, Joseph. The effect of foreign aid on foreign direct investment iInflows: Evidence from Africa. 2018. American University in Cairo, Master's Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/478
Compromised perfusion in femoral head in normal rats: distinctive perfusion MRI evidence of contrast washout delay.

OBJECTIVES The femoral head is prone to osteonecrosis. This study investigated dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI contrast washout features of the femoral head and compared the data with data from other bony compartments in normal rats. METHODS 7-month-old Wistar rats were used. DCE MRI of the right hip (n=18), right knee (n=12) and lumbar spine (n=10) was performed after an intravenous bolus injection of Gd-DOTA (0.3 mmol kg(-1)). Temporal resolution was 0.6 s for hip and spine, and 0.3 s for knee. The total scan duration was 8 min for hip and spine, and 4.5 min for knee. The regions of interest for enhancement measurement included femoral head, proximal femoral diaphysis, distal femoral diaphysis and epiphysis, proximal tibial epiphysis and diaphysis, and lumbar vertebrae L1-5. RESULTS Femoral head showed no enhancement signal decay during the DCE MRI period, while all other bony compartments showed a contrast washin phase followed by a contrast washout phase. In the knee joint, the contrast washout of the proximal tibia diaphysis was slower that of other bony compartments of the knee. CONCLUSION Based on the evidence of delayed contrast washout, this study showed that blood perfusion in the femoral head could be compromised in normal rats.
Comparison of Multivariate GARCH Models with Application to Zero-Coupon Bond Volatility

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate different formulations of multivariate GARCH models and to apply two of the popular ones – the BEKK- GARCH model and the DCC- GARCH model – in evaluating the volatility of a portfolio of zero-coupon bonds. Multivariate GARCH models are considered as one of the most useful tools for analyzing and forecasting the volatility of time series when volatility fluctuates over time. This feature demonstrates its availability in modeling the co-movement of multivariate time series with varying conditional covariance matrix. From this point of view, firstly we focus on understanding the model specifications of several widely used multivariate GARCH models so as to select appropriate models; and then construct the BEKK form and the DCC form separately by employing the financial data obtained from the website of the European Central Bank. The next work is dedicated to diagnose the goodness of fit of the established models even though there are comparatively few tests specific to multivariate models according to previous literatures. On top of those, we compare the fitting performance of these two forms and predict the future dynamics of our data on the ground of these two models.
Cell Therapy with G-CSF-Mobilized Stem Cells in a Rat Osteoarthritis Model

G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (gm-PBSCs) offer a convenient cell source for treatment of hematopoietic and vascular disorders. Whether gm-PBSCs provide beneficial effects on skeleton diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA), remains unknown. This study was undertaken to address the hypothesis that gm-PBSCs promote articular regeneration in OA. Here we studied the effect of single-dose intra-articular injection of gm-PBSCs from male donors delivered in hyaluronic acid (HA) on papain-induced OA in the knee joints of female Sprague—Dawley (SD) rats. Contralateral OA knee joints received single-dose HA alone and served as vehicle controls. We evaluated the histologic changes in glycosaminoglycan, type II collagen, type X collagen, modified Mankin score, and cell apoptosis rate in the articular cartilage of rat knees. We demonstrated that gm-PBSCs were mobilized to the peripheral blood via G-CSF infusion for 5 days in SD rats with increasing CD34+ percentage up to 55-fold. We showed that gm-PBSCs inhibit progression of papain-induced OA via reducing articular surface irregularity, fibrillation, and erosion, preventing cellular necrosis and loss of chondrogenic proteins, such as glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen, at both 3 and 6 weeks after treatment. Moreover, gm-PBSCs reduced modified Mankin scores and cellular apoptosis rates compared with HA alone. Our findings demonstrate that HA plus gm-PBSCs, rather than HA alone, inhibits progression of OA in rats in vivo. Thus, intra-articular injection of gm-PBSCs is a convenient protocol for treating OA with consistent beneficial effects.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND DISCLOSURE AND THEIR IMPACT ON FIRM VALUE: THE CASE OF EGYPT

This study investigates the impact of risk management and disclosure on firm value. The study aims at investigating three relationships; the first is the relationship between risk management and firm value. The second is the relationship between corporate voluntary disclosure and systematic (market/beta) risk. The third is the relationship between voluntary disclosure and firm value. The study population consists of non-financial companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) at the year-end of 2012. For testing the first relationship; the logistic model developed by Wang, Li, and, Z. (2010) is used, and Tobin’s Q ratio is used for calculating firm value. The logistic model developed by Hassan, Gianluigi, and Power (2011) is followed in measuring the second relationship. The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Model is used for calculating Beta for systematic market risk, and the voluntary disclosure is measured using the disclosure index technique including 26 financial and non-financial items. The third relationship is tested by modifying Rahmat and Hoffman (2011) model. The results indicate that a positive relationship exists between risk management and firm value, a negative relationship exists between voluntary disclosure and the market risk exposure, and a positive relationship exists between voluntary disclosure and firm value.
Impact Assessment of Extension Program on Hybrid Rice Adoption in Myanmar

In Myanmar, almost all of research activities are centered on Extension Division that organized with versatile agricultural specialists who are most likely to distribute research activities and new innovation technologies to remote areas. Pearl Thwe hybrid rice seed production was introduced in 2011/2012 in monsoon, for poverty alleviation and better living standard of farmers due to its higher yield. Sown area however is very limited to adopt. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the impact assessment of extension program by benefitcost ratio (B:C), and to examine the most effective methodologies by marginal effect. The seasonal data (580 sample sizes) were collected in 58 Townships of four State and Regions, from 2011/2012 to 2015/2016. The results showed that annual average growth rate of Pearl Thwe adoption in Nay Pyi Taw, Kachin, Kayin, Chin, Tanintharyi, Bago and Magway Region/State are satisfied while the rest State and Region are highly unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, Sagaing, Mandalay, Mon, Shan and Ayeyarwaddy Region/State increased adoption areas yearly even having decreasing growth rate. Among still operating various extension methods in Myanmar, field day, media and field-trial are the best, and demonstration and farmer-field-school are also satisfied whilst integrated method, workshop, other method (traditionally), training and group discussion methods are unsatisfactory for hybrid rice adoption, in accordance with cost (applied extension methodologies) and benefit (Pearl Thwe’ adoption). By the perception and perception score of Township Officer, farmer field school, workshop, other method, integrated method, the media were unacknowledged, and market access and input are constraint factors while technical assistance and source of seed are most likely convenient factors. In order to promote the reliable extension methodologies in Myanmar, the policy makers should try to be more familiar to the media and farmer-field-school to farmers as field day, on farm-trial and demonstration.
Guanine nucleotide exchange factors CalDAG‐GEFI and CalDAG‐GEFII are colocalized in striatal projection neurons

CalDAG‐GEFI and CalDAG‐GEFII (identical to RasGRP) are novel, brain‐enriched guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that can be stimulated by calcium and diacylglycerol and that can activate small GTPases, including Ras and Rap1, molecules increasingly recognized as having signaling functions in neurons. Here, we show that CalDAG‐GEFI and CalDAG‐GEFII mRNAs, detected by in situ hybridization analysis, have sharply contrasting forebrain‐predominant distributions in the mature brain: CalDAG‐GEFI is expressed mainly in the striatum and olfactory structures and deep cortical layers, whereas CalDAG‐GEFII is expressed widely in the forebrain. Within the striatum, however, the two CalDAG‐GEF mRNAs have nearly identical distributions: they are coexpressed in striatal projection neurons that give rise to the direct and indirect pathways of the basal ganglia. Subcellular fractionation analysis of the substantia nigra with monoclonal antibodies against CalDAG‐GEFI suggests that CalDAG‐GEFI protein is present not only in the cell bodies of striatal projection neurons but also in their axons and axon terminals. These results suggest that the CalDAG‐GEFs may be key intracellular regulators whereby calcium and diacylglycerol signals can regulate cellular functions through small GTPases in the basal ganglia circuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 437:398–407, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concentrations of essential trace elements in maternal serum and the effect on birth weight and newborn body mass index in sub‐arctic and arctic populations of Norway and Russia

BACKGROUND This project is part of an assessment of the impact of environmental factors on human health in the Kola Peninsula of Russia and the neighboring arctic area of Norway. Pregnant women and their newborns were studied to explore a relationship between maternal status of essential metals and birth weight. METHODS Life-style information and serum specimens were collected from at least 50 consecutive mother-infant pairs from hospital delivery departments in three Russian and three Norwegian communities (N=151 and 167, respectively). Pregnancy outcomes were verified by consulting medical records. Copper, selenium and zinc in serum were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and ferritin by an automated analyzer method. RESULTS Mean birth weight and child's body mass index (BMIC) were significantly lower in the Russian group (p<0.001), with or without adjustment for gestational age. Copper, iron (as ferritin) and selenium serum concentrations were in the normal range, while zinc levels in both countries were mostly below the lower limit (10.8 micromol/L) of reported reference intervals. A positive correlation between zinc and birth weight or BMIC was only observed for concentrations exceeding 10.8 micromol/L. Analysis by quartiles showed that maternal urinary creatinine and birth weight were negatively correlated (p=0.001). The influence of the different elements on BMIC, grouped by quartiles, was significantly positive only for selenium (p=0.03) and ferritin (p=0.02), while there was no significant relationship for copper or zinc. Adjustment of birth weight and BMIC for gestational age did not alter substantially the various associations indicated. CONCLUSIONS With the exception of zinc, the mineral status of delivering women in arctic and sub-arctic regions of Norway and western Russia appears to be adequate. The significantly lower BMIC for the Russian group suggests the likely occurrence of nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy in Russia. However, the significant contribution of a country factor in the predictive model implies that the maternal serum trace-element concentrations explored in this study are incomplete indicators of fetal undernourishment.