Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Biological Actions of Dehydroepiandrosterone Involves Multiple Receptors

Dehydroepiandrosterone has been thought to have physiological functions other than as an androgen precursor. The previous studies performed have demonstrated a number of biological effects in rodents, such as amelioration of disease in diabetic, chemical carcinogenesis, and obesity models. To date, activation of the peroxisome proliferators activated receptor alpha, pregnane X receptor, and estrogen receptor by DHEA and its metabolites have been demonstrated. Several membrane-associated receptors have also been elucidated leading to additional mechanisms by which DHEA may exert its biological effects. This review will provide an overview of the receptor multiplicity involved in the biological activity of this sterol.
Measuring contextual characteristics for community health.

OBJECTIVE To conceptualize and measure community contextual influences on population health and health disparities. DATA SOURCES We use traditional and nontraditional secondary sources of data comprising a comprehensive array of community characteristics. STUDY DESIGN Using a consultative process, we identify 12 overarching dimensions of contextual characteristics that may affect community health, as well as specific subcomponents relating to each dimension. DATA COLLECTION An extensive geocoded library of data indicators relating to each dimension and subcomponent for metropolitan areas in the United States is assembled. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We describe the development of community contextual health profiles, present the rationale supporting each of the profile dimensions, and provide examples of relevant data sources. CONCLUSIONS Our conceptual framework for community contextual characteristics, including a specified set of dimensions and components, can provide practical ways to monitor health-related aspects of the economic, social, and physical environments in which people live. We suggest several guiding principles useful for understanding how aspects of contextual characteristics can affect health and health disparities.
Surgical Regenerative Treatments for Peri-Implantitis: Meta-analysis of Recent Findings in a Systematic Literature Review

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of the present study was to systematically review the literature on the surgical regenerative treatment of the peri-implantitis and to determine an effective therapeutic predictable option for their clinical management. Material and Methods The study searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from 2006 to 2016. Clinical human studies that had reported changes in probing depth (PD) and/or bleeding on probing (BOP) and/or radiologic marginal bone level (RBL) changes after peri-implantitis surgical treatment at 12-month follow-up or longer were included accordingly to PRISMA guidelines. Results The initial search obtained 883 citations. After screening and determination of eligibility, 18 articles were included in the review. The meta-analysis of selected studies revealed that the weighted mean RBL fill was 1.97 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58 to 2.35 mm), PD reduction was 2.78 mm (95% CI = 2.31 to 3.25 mm), and BOP reduced by 52.5% (95% CI = 41.6 to 63.1%). Defect fill in studies using and not using barrier membranes for graft coverage was 1.86 mm (95% CI = 1.36 to 2.36 mm) and 2.12 mm (95% CI = 1.46 to 2.78 mm) correspondingly. High heterogeneity among the studies regarding defects morphology, surgical protocols, and selection of biomaterials were found. Conclusions All included studies underlined an improvement of clinical conditions after the surgical regenerative treatment of peri-implantitis, however, there is a lack of scientific evidence in the literature regarding the superiority of the regenerative versus non-regenerative surgical treatment. The presence of a barrier membrane or submergence in the regenerative procedure does not seem to be fundamental in order to obtain clinical success of the surgery.
Comparison of cefdinir and cefaclor in treatment of community-acquired pneumonia

Six hundred ninety patients were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of cefdinir with those of cefaclor in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Patients received either 10 days of treatment with cefdinir (n = 347) at 300 mg twice daily or 10 days of treatment with cefaclor (n = 343) at 500 mg three times daily. Microbiological assessments were performed on sputum specimens obtained at admission and at the two posttherapy visits, if available. Respiratory tract pathogens were isolated from 538 (78%) of 690 patient admission sputum specimens, with the predominant pathogens being Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The microbiological eradication rates at the test-of-cure visit were 92% (238 of 260 pathogens) and 93% (245 of 264 pathogens) for the evaluable patients treated with cefdinir and cefaclor, respectively. A satisfactory clinical response (cure plus improvement) was achieved in 89% (166 of 187) and 86% (160 of 186) of the evaluable patients treated with cefdinir and cefaclor, respectively. Except for the incidence of diarrhea, adverse event rates while on treatment were equivalent between the two treatment groups. Diarrhea incidence during therapy was higher for patients treated with cefdinir (13.7%) than for patients treated with cefaclor (5.3%). These results indicate that cefdinir is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with pneumonia.
Evaluation of the Staying Healthy After Fifty Educational Program: Impact on Course Participants

A study to evaluate the impact of a medical self-care program on older adults was conducted. The test group (n=161) participated in an 11-session educational interven tion with training in clinical skills, lifestyle, and the use of health services. The compar ison group (n=164) received no intervention. The test group was assessed pre-interven tion, post-intervention, and six months post-intervention and the comparison group was assessed at corresponding intervals. The results indicated that medical self-care instruction produces substantial improvements in health-related knowledge, health skills performance, and health actions. This study produced no evidence, however, that medical self-care instruction has any effect on health status, the utilization of medical care, or other aspects of life quality.
Evidence That the Co-chaperone p23 Regulates Ligand Responsiveness of the Dioxin (Aryl Hydrocarbon) Receptor*

The dioxin (aryl hydrocarbon) receptor is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that induces expression of a number of genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes. In the absence of ligand the dioxin receptor is present in the cytoplasmic compartment of the cell associated with the molecular chaperone hsp90, which has been implicated in regulating the correct folding of the ligand binding domain of the receptor. In this study we have examined a potential role of the hsp90-associated p23 protein in the activation process of the dioxin receptor to a DNA binding form. In an in vitro model we show that addition of ligand alone to the dioxin receptor fails to induce release of hsp90 from the dioxin receptor. In the presence of ligand, this release was, however, induced upon addition of purified preparations of Arnt. Interestingly, p23 was also found to be associated with the nonactivated form of the dioxin receptor. Following fractionation on sucrose gradients p23 was dissociated from the receptor-hsp90 complex generating a receptor form, which showed ligand-independent release of hsp90 by Arnt and, consequently, ligand-independent activation of the DNA binding activity of the dioxin receptor. Ligand dependence was reconstituted in the presence of molybdate, a transition metal ion known to stabilize the interaction between the molecular chaperone hsp90 and p23. Taken together these experiments suggest a role of p23 in modulating ligand responsiveness in the activation process of the dioxin receptor.
Recognition of Hyaluronan Released in Sterile Injury Involves a Unique Receptor Complex Dependent on Toll-like Receptor 4, CD44, and MD-2*

Inflammation under sterile conditions is not well understood despite its importance in trauma and autoimmune disease. To investigate this process we established mouse models of sterile injury and explored the role of hyaluronan in mediating inflammation following injury. The response of cultured monocytes to hyaluronan was different than the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) despite both being dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Cultured cells exposed to hyaluronan showed a pattern of gene induction that mimics the response seen in mouse skin after sterile injury with an increase in molecules such as transforming growth factor-β2 and matrix metalloproteinase-13. These factors were not induced by LPS despite the mutual dependence of both hyaluronan and LPS on TLR4. Explanation for the unique response to hyaluronan was provided by observations that a lack of TLR4 or CD44 in mice diminished the response to sterile injury, and together with MD-2, was required for responsiveness to hyaluronan in vitro. Thus, a unique complex of TLR4, MD-2, and CD44 recognizes hyaluronan. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the physical association of TLR4 and CD44. Taken together, our results define a previously unknown mechanism for initiation of sterile inflammation that involves recognition of released hyaluronan fragments as an endogenous signal of tissue injury.
β‐catenin regulates c‐Myc and CDKN1A expression in breast cancer cells

We previously reported that the Wnt pathway is preferentially activated in basal‐like breast cancer. However, the mechanisms by which the Wnt pathway regulates down‐stream targets in basal‐like breast cancer, and the biological significance of this regulation, are poorly understood. In this study, we found that c‐Myc is highly expressed in the basal‐like subtype by microarray analyses and immunohistochemical staining. After silencing β‐catenin using siRNA, c‐Myc expression was decreased in non‐basal‐like breast cancer cells. In contrast, c‐Myc mRNA and protein expression were up‐regulated in the basal‐like breast cancer cell lines. Decreased c‐Myc promoter activity was observed after inhibiting β‐catenin by siRNA in non‐basal‐like breast cancer cells; however, inhibition of β‐catenin or over‐expression of dominant‐negative LEF1 had no effect on c‐Myc promoter activity in basal‐like breast cancer cell lines. In addition, CDKN1A mRNA and p21 protein expression were significantly increased in all breast cancer cell lines upon β‐catenin silencing. Interestingly, inhibiting β‐catenin expression alone did not induce apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines despite c‐Myc regulation, but we observed a modest increase of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and decrease of cells in S phase upon β‐catenin silencing. Our findings suggest that the regulation of c‐Myc in breast cancer cells is dependent on the molecular subtype, and that β‐catenin‐mediated regulation of c‐Myc and p21 may control the balance of cell death and proliferation in breast cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Stock Market Reaction to Allegations of Fraud and Earnings Manipulation

Recent revelations in the media about financial reporting and accounting abuses at Enron, Qwest, WorldCom, Global Crossing, Tyco, and other companies have highlighted the problems caused by earnings management. Earnings management has been defined as a violation of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) by a company’s managers to favorably represent a company’s financial performance (Beneish 1999a). However, we have expanded the definition of earnings management from just GAAP to intentional distortions of accounting information as defined by the former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman, Arthur Levitt and the SEC itself (1998): “earnings management is the practice of distorting the true financial performance of the company. ” Researchers studying the effect of earnings management on stock returns use firms cited by the SEC in its Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases (AAERs). In an AAER, the SEC may take an enforcement action against a firm or individual that it identifies as having violated the financial reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In this study, we extend earlier research into the stock market reaction of firms cited by the SEC in its AAERs in two major ways. First, our sample period is longer and covers a more recent time period (the 20-year period stretching from 1985 to 2004) and contains many high-tech companies that were not included in earlier studies. Also, the market’s reaction to allegations of earnings manipulation during the period of the largest frauds in history, Enron, WorldCom, etc, has not yet been investigated. Second, we examine cross-sectional differences in financial factors and non-financial factors of corporate governance for these sample companies. Also,
Supplier and customer involvement on new product performance

Purpose – Recent studies have found inconsistent findings on the impact of supplier and customer involvement on new product development. This study thus aims to explore what contextual factors affect supplier and customer involvement altogether and how such involvement affects new product performance.Design/methodology/approach – The study used structural equation modelling to analyze empirical survey data from 251 manufacturers in Hong Kong.Findings – The study found that modular design, product innovation, and internal coordination are positively correlated with the supplier and customer involvement. Such involvement and product innovation lead to better new product performance.Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to the use of cross‐sectional data and a single key informant approach, and the industry structure of the sampled industries.Practical implications – The study examines the contextual factors of supplier and customer involvement and how such involvement relates to new produ.
Clinical‐Scale Expansion of a Mixed Population of Bone Marrow‐Derived Stem and Progenitor Cells for Potential Use in Bone Tissue Regeneration

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of bone marrow derived stem and progenitor cells to regenerate many tissues, including bone. Methods to expand or enrich progenitors from bone marrow are common; however, these methods include many steps not amenable to clinical use. A closed automated cell production culture system was developed for clinical‐scale ex vivo production of bone marrow‐derived stem and progenitor cells for hematopoietic reconstitution. The current study tested the ability of this bioreactor system to produce progenitor cells, termed tissue repair cells (TRC), possessing osteogenic potential. Three TRC formulations were evaluated: (a) cells cultured without exogenous cytokines (TRC); (b) cells cultured with exogenous cytokines (TRC‐C); and (c) an adherent subset of TRC‐C (TRC‐CAd). Starting human bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM MNC) and TRC products were characterized for the expression of cell surface markers, in vitro colony forming ability, and in vivo osteogenic potential. Results showed significant expansion of mesenchymal progenitors (CD90+, CD105+, and CD166+) in each TRC formulation. In vivo bone formation, measured by histology, was highest in the TRC group, followed by TRC‐CAd and TRC‐C. The TRC product outperformed starting BM MNC and had equivalent bone forming potential to purified MSCs at the same cell dose. Post hoc analysis revealed that the presence of CD90+, CD105+, and CD166+ correlated strongly with in vivo bone formation scores (r2 > .95). These results demonstrate that this bioreactor system can be used to generate, in a single step, a population of progenitor cells with potent osteogenic potential.
THE UV LUMINOSITY FUNCTION OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES VIA DROPOUT SELECTION AT REDSHIFTS z ∼ 7 AND 8 FROM THE 2012 ULTRA DEEP FIELD CAMPAIGN

We present a catalog of high-redshift star-forming galaxies selected to lie within the redshift range z ≃ 7–8 using the Ultra Deep Field 2012 (UDF12), the deepest near-infrared (near-IR) exposures yet taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). As a result of the increased near-IR exposure time compared to previous HST imaging in this field, we probe ∼0.65 (0.25) mag fainter in absolute UV magnitude, at z ∼ 7 (8), which increases confidence in a measurement of the faint end slope of the galaxy luminosity function. Through a 0.7 mag deeper limit in the key F105W filter that encompasses or lies just longward of the Lyman break, we also achieve a much-refined color–color selection that balances high redshift completeness and a low expected contamination fraction. We improve the number of dropout-selected UDF sources to 47 at z ∼ 7 and 27 at z ∼ 8. Incorporating brighter archival and ground-based samples, we measure the z ≃ 7 UV luminosity function to an absolute magnitude limit of MUV = −17 and find a faint end Schechter slope of . Using a similar color–color selection at z ≃ 8 that takes our newly added imaging in the F140W filter into account, and incorporating archival data from the HIPPIES and BoRG campaigns, we provide a robust estimate of the faint end slope at z ≃ 8, . We briefly discuss our results in the context of earlier work and that derived using the same UDF12 data but with an independent photometric redshift technique.
Fluid flow during percutaneous drainage procedures: an in vitro study of the effects of fluid viscosity, catheter size, and adjunctive urokinase.

OBJECTIVE An in vitro study was performed to determine the range of flow times of different bodily fluids through catheters of different diameters and to test the hypothesis that urokinase might decrease the viscosity of purulent material. MATERIALS AND METHODS A standard viscometer was used to measure the viscosities of water, blood, pseudocyst fluid, purulent material, and purulent material with admixed urokinase. For each fluid, Poiseuille's law was used to calculate the kinematic viscosity, from which theoretical drainage times through seven different sizes of catheters were calculated. These theoretical times were compared with the actual measured values to verify that flow was according to Poiseuille's law. RESULTS The calculated kinematic viscosities (in 10(-6) stokes) were as follows: water, 0.695 +/- 0.006; pseudocyst fluid, 2.185 +/- 0.008; blood, 3.001 +/- 0.049; abscess fluid without urokinase, 5.729 +/- 0.064; and abscess fluid with urokinase, 4.416 +/- 0.070. The viscosity of abscess fluid decreased by 23% with the addition of urokinase. Drainage time was considerably shorter with larger catheters. CONCLUSION Flow of various bodily fluids, including pus, is according to Poiseuille's law, confirming that for more viscous fluid, larger catheters provide more rapid drainage. Urokinase decreases viscosity of purulent material and increases flow for all sizes of catheters.
The Role of Cholinergic and Peptidergic Pathways in the Regulation of Pancreatic Exocrine Function During Postnatal Development in Pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the parasympathetic (cholinergic and peptidergic) nervous system in the regulation of exocrine pancreas function in piglets during their early postnatal development. The cholinergic and peptidergic regulatory pathways of exocrine pancreatic function were tested by the specific muscarinic receptor blocker 4‐diphenylacetoxy‐N‐methylpiperidine‐methiodide (4‐DAMP) and bombesin, respectively. At the age of 2 weeks, piglets were surgically fitted with a chronic pancreatic duct catheter, a duodenal re‐entrant cannula and a jugular vein catheter. The experiments comprised a pre‐weaning period, and a post‐weaning period that commenced at the beginning of the 5th week of age. Intravenous infusion of 4‐DAMP (100 pmol kg−1 h−1) reduced the outflow of pancreatic juice, the output of total protein and the activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxyl ester hydrolase and amylase during preprandial and postprandial pancreatic secretion, in both the pre‐ and post‐weaning periods. However, the inhibitory effect of 4‐DAMP during postprandial secretion was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in suckling piglets. The infusion of bombesin (10, 100 and 1000 pmol kg−1 h−1) stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion in a dose‐dependent manner during both the pre‐ and post‐weaning periods. However, the stimulatory effect of 1000 pmol kg−1 h−1 bombesin on total protein output and the activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in suckling piglets. In summary, our study showed that cholinergic and peptidergic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of exocrine pancreas function in piglets in both the pre‐ and post‐weaning stages. 4‐DAMP had a greater inhibitory effect on exocrine pancreatic secretion in piglets during the pre‐weaning period. Thus, these observations suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system plays a dominant role in the functioning of the exocrine pancreas at this time. The action of bombesin suggests that it is a potent secretagogue for the exocrine pancreas in pigs during their postnatal development.
Pelvic girdle mobility of cryptodire and pleurodire turtles during walking and swimming

ABSTRACT Movements of the pelvic girdle facilitate terrestrial locomotor performance in a wide range of vertebrates by increasing hind limb excursion and stride length. The extent to which pelvic movements contribute to limb excursion in turtles is unclear because the bony shell surrounding the body presents a major obstacle to their visualization. In the Cryptodira, which are one of the two major lineages of turtles, pelvic anatomy indicates the potential for rotation inside the shell. However, in the Pleurodira, the other major suborder, the pelvis shows a derived fusion to the shell, preventing pelvic motion. In addition, most turtles use their hind limbs for propulsion during swimming as well as walking, and the different locomotor demands between water and land could lead to differences in the contributions of pelvic rotation to limb excursion in each habitat. To test these possibilities, we used X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology (XROMM) to compare pelvic mobility and femoral motion during walking and swimming between representative species of cryptodire (Pseudemys concinna) and pleurodire (Emydura subglobosa) turtles. We found that the pelvis yawed substantially in cryptodires during walking and, to a lesser extent, during swimming. These movements contributed to greater femoral protraction during both walking and swimming in cryptodires when compared with pleurodires. Although factors related to the origin of pelvic-shell fusion in pleurodires are debated, its implications for their locomotor function may contribute to the restriction of this group to primarily aquatic habits. Summary: Despite enclosure of the pelvis in a shell, cryptodire turtles show substantial pelvic movements during walking and swimming that enhance limb excursion and may influence ecological traits of the clade.