Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rs12970134 near MC4R is associated with appetite and beverage intake in overweight and obese children: A family-based association study in Chinese population

Background Recent studies indicated that eating behaviors are under genetic influence, and the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene polymorphisms can affect the total energy intake and the consumption of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Our study aims at investigating the association of the MC4R polymorphism with appetite and food intake among Chinese children. Methods A family-based association study was conducted among 151 Chinese trios whose offsprings were overweight/obese children aged 9–15 years. The rs12970134 near MC4R was genotyped, and the Children Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and a self-designed questionnaire measuring food intake were performed. The FBAT and PBAT software packages were used. Results The family-based association analysis showed that there was a significant association between rs12970134 and obesity (Z = 2.449, P = 0.014). After adjusting for age, gender and standardized BMI, rs12970134 was significantly associated with food responsiveness (FR) among children (β'b = 0.077, Pb = 0.028), and with satiety responsiveness (SR) in trios (P = -0.026). The polymorphism was associated with beverage intake (β'b = 0.331, Pb = 0.00016 in children; P = 0.043 in trios), but not significantly associated with vegetable, fruit or meat intake (P>0.050). We further found a significant mediation effect among the rs12970134, FR and beverage intake (b = 0.177, P = 0.047). Conclusions Our study is the first to report that rs12970134 near MC4R was associated with appetite and beverage intake, and food responsiveness could mediate the effect of rs12970134 on beverage intake in overweight and obese Chinese children population. Further studies are needed to uncover the genetic basis for eating behaviors, which could lead to develop and implement effective interventional strategies early in life.
B cells promote obesity‐associated periodontitis and oral pathogen‐associated inflammation

Individuals with T2D and PD suffer significantly from the ability of one disease to intensify the other. Disease‐associated inflammation is one mechanism thought to fuel this pathogenic feed‐forward loop. Several lines of evidence indicate that proinflammatory B cells promote T2D and PD; thus, B cells are top candidates for a cell type that predisposes PD in T2D. To test directly the role of B cells in T2D‐associated PD, we compared outcomes from oral Porphyromonas gingivalis challenge of lean WT or B cell‐null mice with outcomes from mice that were obese and insulin‐resistant before challenge. Obese WT mice responded to oral P. gingivalis challenge with significant periodontal bone loss, whereas obese B cell‐null mice were protected completely from PD. By contrast, lean WT and B cell‐null mice suffer similar periodontal bone loss in response to oral pathogen. B cells from obese/insulin‐resistant hosts also support oral osteoclastogenesis and both oral and systemic production of inflammatory cytokines, including pro‐osteoclastogenic TNF‐α and MIP‐2, an ortholog of human IL‐8. B cells furthermore impact AT inflammation in obese, P. gingivalis‐infected hosts. Taken together, these data show that fundamentally different mechanisms regulate PD in lean and obese hosts, with B cells able to promote PD only if the hosts are “primed” by obesity. These results justify more intense analysis of obesity‐associated changes in B cells that predispose PD in human T2D.
The Effect of Market Knowledge Management Competence on Business Performance: A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective

Market knowledge has become the major asset of modern businesses and the key to retain their competitiveness. This research attempts to explore the impact of market knowledge management competence on performance via the “dynamic capabilities” perspective. 192 Taiwan companies were selected for the survey setting. The major findings are summarized as following: 1. this empirical result supports the relationships among dynamic capability, market knowledge management competence and business performance; namely, the model fit is acceptable. 2. Dynamic capability has a positive impact on market knowledge management competence. 3. Both Market knowledge management competence and Dynamic capability have positive influence on business performance. 4. We can find mediation effect from market knowledge management competence on the relationship between dynamic capability and financial performance. This research is valuable for assessing key organizational capabilities that directly impact an organization’s drive toward successful knowledge management.
Sporadic aurorae observed in East Asia

Abstract. All the accessible auroral observations recorded in Chinese and Japanese histories during the interval AD 1840–1911 are investigated in detail. Most of these auroral records have never been translated into a Western language before. The East Asian auroral reports provide information on the date and approximate location of each auroral observation, together with limited scientific information on the characteristics of the auroral luminosity such as colour, duration, extent, position in the sky and approximate time of occurrence. The full translations of the original Chinese and Japanese auroral records are presented in an appendix, which contains bibliographic details of the various historical sources. (There are no known reliable Korean observations during this interval.) A second appendix discusses a few implausible "auroral" records, which have been rejected. The salient scientific properties of all exactly dated and reliable East Asian auroral observations in the interval AD 1840–1911 are summarised succinctly. By comparing the relevant scientific information on exactly dated auroral observations with the lists of great geomagnetic storms compiled by the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and also the tabulated values of the Ak (Helsinki) and aa (Greenwich and Melbourne) magnetic indices, it is found that 5 of the great geomagnetic storms (aa>150 or Ak>50) during either the second half of the nineteenth century or the first decade of the twentieth century are clearly identified by extensive auroral displays observed in China or Japan. Indeed, two of these great storms produced auroral displays observed in both countries on the same night. Conversely, at least 29 (69%) of the 42 Chinese and Japanese auroral observations occurred at times of weak-to-moderate geomagnetic activity (aa or Ak≤50). It is shown that these latter auroral displays are very similar to the more numerous (about 50) examples of sporadic aurorae observed in the United States during the interval AD 1880–1940. The localised nature and spatial structure of some sporadic aurorae observed in East Asia is indicated by the use of descriptive terms such as "lightning", "rainbow", "streak" and "grid".
Trading experience modulates anterior insula to reduce the endowment effect

Significance Trading experience has been shown to reduce the endowment effect, a decision-making bias that distorts market prices and reduces trade. Understanding the mechanisms underlying how experience changes this bias will provide important insights for developing interventions to improve market efficiency. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we show that market experience causes a reduction in right anterior insula activation during selling, which mediates a decrease in the endowment effect. These findings suggest that trading mitigates negative affective responses in the context of selling. People often demand a greater price when selling goods that they own than they would pay to purchase the same goods—a well-known economic bias called the endowment effect. The endowment effect has been found to be muted among experienced traders, but little is known about how trading experience reduces the endowment effect. We show that when selling, experienced traders exhibit lower right anterior insula activity, but no differences in nucleus accumbens or orbitofrontal activation, compared with inexperienced traders. Furthermore, insula activation mediates the effect of experience on the endowment effect. Similar results are obtained for inexperienced traders who are incentivized to gain trading experience. This finding indicates that frequent trading likely mitigates the endowment effect indirectly by modifying negative affective responses in the context of selling.
A numerical method for spatial diffusion in age‐structured populations

We propose a method to approximate numerically the diffusion of an age‐structured population in a spatial environment. We integrate separately the age and time variables by finite differences and we discretize the space variable by finite elements. The method is implicit in time and, inside each time step, implicit in age. We provide stability and convergence results and we illustrate our approach with some numerical result. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
PLA/PEG-PPG-PEG/Dexamethasone implant prepared by hot-melt extrusion for controlled release of immunosuppressive drug to implantable medical devices, part 2: in vivo evaluation

Abstract Hot-melt extrusion (HME) plays an important role in preparing implants as local drug delivery systems in pharmaceutical fields. Here, a new PLA/PEG-PPG-PEG/Dexamethasone (PLA/F68/Dex) implant prepared by HME has been developed. Importantly, the implant was successfully achieved to control release of immunosuppressive drug to an implanted device. In particular, this implant has not been reported previously in pharmaceutical fields. FTIR and XRD were adopted to investigate the properties of the samples. The in vivo release study showed that the maximum value of Dex release from the implants was approximately 50% at 1 month. The in vivo degradation behavior was determined by UV spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy studies, and the weight loss rate of the implants were up to 25% at 1 month. Furthermore, complete blood count (CBC) test, serum chemistry and major organs were performed, and there is no significant lesion and side effects observed in these results. Therefore, the results elucidated that the new PLA/F68/Dex implant prepared by HME could deliver an immunosuppressive drug to control the inflammatory reaction at the implant site.
Participation of Xenopus Elr-type Proteins in Vegetal mRNA Localization during Oogenesis*

Directional transport of specific mRNAs is of primary biological relevance. In Xenopus oocytes, mRNA localization to the vegetal pole is important for germ layer formation and germ cell development. Using a biochemical approach, we identified Xenopus Elr-type proteins, homologs of the Hu/ELAV proteins, as novel components of the vegetal mRNA localization machinery. They bind specifically to the localization elements of several different vegetally localizing Xenopus mRNAs, and they are part of one RNP together with other localization proteins, such as Vg1RBP and XStaufen 1. Blocking Elr-type protein binding by either localization element mutagenesis or antisense morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated masking of their target RNA structures, as well as overexpression of wild type and mutant ElrB proteins, interferes with vegetal localization in Xenopus oocytes.
Outcomes of covered expandable stents for the treatment of TASC D aorto-iliac occlusive lesions

Introduction Aortoiliac arterial occlusive disease is frequently encountered in the management of lower limb vascular insufficiency. We report our experience with covered balloon-expandable stents for treatment of TASC D lesions of the abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries. Methods A retrospective study of 30 patients who underwent aortoiliac stenting with the Atrium Advanta V12 from March 2010 to September 2012 was conducted. Patient demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms and procedural details were recorded. Outcomes assessed were primary patency, secondary patency, technical success, complications, limb salvage and survival. Results Median age was 67 years (range 48–84) and 40% of patients underwent treatment for critical limb ischaemia. Median follow-up was 13 months (range 3–38 months). Stent configuration comprised of long iliac stents in 20 patients, a large diameter aortic stent with iliac stenting in six patients, and aortic stent alone in four patients. Radiological success was achieved in 100% and the complication rate was 6%. Primary patency at 6, 12 and 24 months was 97%, 90% and 79%, respectively. Four cases of in-stent stenosis were reported, with three of these undergoing re-interventions resulting in a secondary patency rate of 97% at the end of follow-up. One patient death occurred within the follow-up period. Discussion This case series demonstrates that treatment of complex aortoiliac occlusive disease with covered balloon-expandable stents can have acceptable results with good patency and good clinical outcome. Secondary patency rates are comparable to open surgical revascularisation, with lower morbidity.
Persistence of psychosis spectrum symptoms in the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort: a prospective two‐year follow‐up

Prospective evaluation of youths with early psychotic‐like experiences can enrich our knowledge of clinical, biobehavioral and environmental risk and protective factors associated with the development of psychotic disorders. We aimed to investigate the predictors of persistence or worsening of psychosis spectrum features among US youth through the first large systematic study to evaluate subclinical symptoms in the community. Based on Time 1 screen of 9,498 youth (age 8‐21) from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, a subsample of participants was enrolled based on the presence (N=249) or absence (N=254) of baseline psychosis spectrum symptoms, prior participation in neuroimaging, and current neuroimaging eligibility. They were invited to participate in a Time 2 assessment two years on average following Time 1. Participants were administered the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes, conducted blind to initial screen status, along with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and other clinical measures, computerized neurocognitive testing, and neuroimaging. Clinical and demographic predictors of symptom persistence were examined using logistic regression. At Time 2, psychosis spectrum features persisted or worsened in 51.4% of youths. Symptom persistence was predicted by higher severity of subclinical psychosis, lower global functioning, and prior psychiatric medication at baseline. Youths classified as having psychosis spectrum symptoms at baseline but not at follow‐up nonetheless exhibited comparatively higher symptom levels and lower functioning at both baseline and follow‐up than typically developing youths. In addition, psychosis spectrum features emerged in a small number of young people who previously had not reported significant symptoms but who had exhibited early clinical warning signs. Together, our findings indicate that varying courses of psychosis spectrum symptoms are evident early in US youth, supporting the importance of investigating psychosis risk as a dynamic developmental process. Neurocognition, brain structure and function, and genomics may be integrated with clinical data to provide early indices of symptom persistence and worsening in youths at risk for psychosis.
Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) melophagium in the Sheep Ked Melophagus ovinus from Organic Farms in Croatia: Phylogenetic Inferences Support Restriction to Sheep and Sheep Keds and Close Relationship with Trypanosomes from Other Ruminant Species

Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) melophagium is a parasite of sheep transmitted by sheep keds, the sheep‐restricted ectoparasite Melophagus ovinus (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). Sheep keds were 100% prevalent in sheep from five organic farms in Croatia, Southeastern Europe, whereas trypanosomes morphologically compatible with T. melophagium were 86% prevalent in the guts of the sheep keds. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses using sequences of small subunit rRNA, glycosomal glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, spliced leader, and internal transcribed spacer 1 of the rDNA distinguished T. melophagium from all allied trypanosomes from other ruminant species and placed the trypanosome in the subgenus Megatrypanum. Trypanosomes from sheep keds from Croatia and Scotland, the only available isolates for comparison, shared identical sequences. All biologic and phylogenetic inferences support the restriction of T. melophagium to sheep and, especially, to the sheep keds. The comparison of trypanosomes from sheep, cattle, and deer from the same country, which was never achieved before this work, strongly supported the host‐restricted specificity of trypanosomes of the subgenus Megatrypanum. Our findings indicate that with the expansion of organic farms, both sheep keds and T. melophagium may re‐emerge as parasitic infections of sheep.
When the management of nurse absenteeism becomes a cause of absenteeism: a study based on a comparison of two health care facilities.

AIM The study aims to explore perceptions of the causes of nurse absenteeism. BACKGROUND Nurse absenteeism is rising in many countries. However, there is little evidence as to how strategies adopted in order to cushion the effects of absenteeism on workload influence absenteeism itself. METHOD The study used a 'qualitative' method based on cognitive mapping techniques in order to represent perceptions about absenteeism graphically. The study was conducted in two health-care facilities with a sample of 55 interviewees. RESULTS Absenteeism is due in part to strategies adopted in order to cushion the effects of absenteeism on organisations. Furthermore, the strategies are self-legitimising. The more they are used, the more they are regarded as normal and useful. CONCLUSIONS A plan to reduce absenteeism among nurses must explicitly take into account the strategies used to cushion its impact. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT To cushion the effects of absenteeism among caregivers, managers must make trade-offs that take into account, for example, the workload or disruption linked to the substitution of personnel.
Prefrontal Deficits in a Murine Model Overexpressing the Down Syndrome Candidate Gene Dyrk1a

The gene Dyrk1a is the mammalian ortholog of Drosophila minibrain. Dyrk1a localizes in the Down syndrome (DS) critical region of chromosome 21q22.2 and is a major candidate for the behavioral and neuronal abnormalities associated with DS. PFC malfunctions are a common denominator in several neuropsychiatric diseases, including DS, but the contribution of DYRK1A in PFC dysfunctions, in particular the synaptic basis for impairments of executive functions reported in DS patients, remains obscure. We quantified synaptic plasticity, biochemical synaptic markers, and dendritic morphology of deep layer pyramidal PFC neurons in adult mBACtgDyrk1a transgenic mice that overexpress Dyrk1a under the control of its own regulatory sequences. We found that overexpression of Dyrk1a largely increased the number of spines on oblique dendrites of pyramidal neurons, as evidenced by augmented spine density, higher PSD95 protein levels, and larger miniature EPSCs. The dendritic alterations were associated with anomalous NMDAR-mediated long-term potentiation and accompanied by a marked reduction in the pCaMKII/CaMKII ratio in mBACtgDyrk1a mice. Retrograde endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression (eCB-LTD) was ablated in mBACtgDyrk1a mice. Administration of green tea extracts containing epigallocatechin 3-gallate, a potent DYRK1A inhibitor, to adult mBACtgDyrk1a mice normalized long-term potentiation and spine anomalies but not eCB-LTD. However, inhibition of the eCB deactivating enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase normalized eCB-LTD in mBACtgDyrk1a mice. These data shed light on previously undisclosed participation of DYRK1A in adult PFC dendritic structures and synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, they suggest its involvement in DS-related endophenotypes and identify new potential therapeutic strategies.
Mechanical and energetic consequences of rolling foot shape in human walking

SUMMARY During human walking, the center of pressure under the foot progresses forward smoothly during each step, creating a wheel-like motion between the leg and the ground. This rolling motion might appear to aid walking economy, but the mechanisms that may lead to such a benefit are unclear, as the leg is not literally a wheel. We propose that there is indeed a benefit, but less from rolling than from smoother transitions between pendulum-like stance legs. The velocity of the body center of mass (COM) must be redirected in that transition, and a longer foot reduces the work required for the redirection. Here we develop a dynamic walking model that predicts different effects from altering foot length as opposed to foot radius, and test it by attaching rigid, arc-like foot bottoms to humans walking with fixed ankles. The model suggests that smooth rolling is relatively insensitive to arc radius, whereas work for the step-to-step transition decreases approximately quadratically with foot length. We measured the separate effects of arc-foot length and radius on COM velocity fluctuations, work performed by the legs and metabolic cost. Experimental data (N=8) show that foot length indeed has much greater effect on both the mechanical work of the step-to-step transition (23% variation, P=0.04) and the overall energetic cost of walking (6%, P=0.03) than foot radius (no significant effect, P>0.05). We found the minimum metabolic energy cost for an arc foot length of approximately 29% of leg length, roughly comparable to human foot length. Our results suggest that the foot's apparently wheel-like action derives less benefit from rolling per se than from reduced work to redirect the body COM.
Treatment of central sleep apnea in U.S. veterans.

BACKGROUND There are no standard therapies for the management of central sleep apnea (CSA). Either positive pressure therapy (PAP) or supplemental oxygen (O(2)) may stabilize respiration in CSA by reducing ventilatory chemoresponsiveness. Additionally, increasing opioid use and the presence of comorbid conditions in US veterans necessitates investigations into alternative titration protocols to treat CSA. The goal was to report on the effectiveness of titration with PAP, used alone or in conjunction with O(2), for the management of CSA associated with varying comorbidities and opioid use. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review over 3 years, performed at a VA sleep disorders center. The effects of CPAP, CPAP+O(2), and BPAP+O(2), used in a step-wise titration protocol, on consecutive patients diagnosed with CSA were studied. RESULTS CSA was diagnosed in 162 patients. The protocol was effective in eliminating CSA (CAI ≤ 5/h) in 84% of patients. CPAP was effective in 48%, while CPAP+O(2) combination was effective in an additional 25%, and BPAP+O(2) in 11%. The remaining 16% were non-responders. Forty-seven patients (29%) were on prescribed opioid therapy for chronic pain, in whom CPAP, CPAP+O(2), or BPAP+O(2) eliminated CSA in 54%, 28%, and 10% cases, respectively. CPAP, CPAP+O(2), and BPAP+O(2) each produced significant declines in the AHI, CAI, and arousal index, and an increase in the SpO(2). CONCLUSION The data demonstrate that using a titration protocol with CPAP and then PAP with O(2) effectively eliminates CSA in individuals with underlying comorbid conditions and prescription opioid use. Comparative studies with other therapeutic modalities are required.