Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Administration-time-dependent effects of antihypertensive treatment on the circadian pattern of blood pressure

Purpose of reviewMany studies show that the extent of the nocturnal blood-pressure decline is deterministic of cardiovascular injury and risk. Accordingly, there is growing interest in how to tailor the treatment of hypertensive patients according to their circadian blood-pressure pattern. Recent findingsDifferences in efficacy depending on the time of day of drug administration lead to differences in effects of antihypertensive drugs on the nocturnal decline relative to the diurnal mean of blood pressure. Thus, bedtime dosing with nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) is more effective than morning dosing, while also reducing significantly secondary effects. Bedtime administration of trandolapril results in a safe and effective means of controlling morning blood pressure without inducing excessive reduction nocturnally. The dose–response curve, therapeutic coverage, and efficacy of doxazosin GITS are all markedly dependent on the circadian time of drug administration. Moreover, valsartan administration at bedtime as opposed to upon wakening results in improved day/night blood-pressure ratio, a significant increase in the percentage of controlled patients after treatment, and a significant reduction in urinary albumin excretion. SummaryNocturnal hypertension increases one's risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, nephrosclerosis, and progression to end-stage kidney failure in renal patients. Normalization of the circadian blood-pressure pattern is considered an important clinical goal of pharmacotherapy because it may slow the advance of renal injury. Chronotherapy provides a means of individualizing treatment of hypertension according to the circadian blood-pressure profile of each patient, and constitutes a new option in optimizing blood-pressure control and reducing risk.
Genetic parameters for yield traits of Holsteins, including lactose and somatic cell score.

First lactation milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields and percentage yields were analyzed using a multiple-trait sire model including herd-year-season, sire group, and age of cow as fixed effects. Somatic cell score was fit both as a fixed effect in the model and as an additional dependent variable in two analyses with almost identical results. Variance components were estimated using REML with an expectation-maximization algorithm including sire relationships. Lactose means ranged from 4.84 to 4.97% across three dairy breeds. Data used to estimate variance components were first lactation Holstein records collected from 1986 to 1988 from 5246 daughters of 392 AI sires. Heritability estimates were . 30, . 29, . 27, and . 26 for milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields; . 45, . 47, and . 53 for fat, protein, and lactose percentage yields; and . 16 for somatic cell score. Genetic correlations of lactose percentage with milk, fat, protein, fat and protein percentages, and somatic cell score were -. 30, -. 16, -. 21, . 10, . 29, and -. 11, respectively, and phenotypic correlations were -. 08, -. 02, . 01, . 11, . 29, and -. 15.
The Relationship Between Location, Color, and Vessel Structure Within Capillary Vascular Malformations

The treatment of capillary vascular malformations by laser is well established. Despite this, only a minority of patients obtain full clearance of their lesion after treatment. Both anatomic location and color have been proposed as prognostic factors determining the amount of improvement seen after laser treatment. This study uses the technique of depth measuring video microscopy to examine the hypothesis that smaller and more deeply placed capillaries may be responsible for the poorer response seen in certain anatomic locations. Fifty sites on 44 previously untreated patients were examined resting in a temperature-controlled room at 28°C. No statistically significant correlation was found between color, based on a Munsell color chart recording and capillary depth or diameter. Also, no correlation was found between diameter, depth, or type of capillary ectasia and anatomic site. The authors believe that other factors, such as alteration in blood flow between different anatomic regions, and not vessel morphology alone, may be responsible for this variation in response.
Portfolio Theory in Terms of Partial Covariance

It is found that partial correlations between 12 major US equity sector ETFs conditioned on the state of economy (mimicked here by the S&P 500 index) are significantly lower than the Pearson’s correlations. The Markowitz mean-variance portfolio theory is modified in terms of partial covariance. The maximum Sharpe portfolios formed by 12 equity sector ETFs in 2007 – 2015 are examined. With the exclusion of the bear market of 2008, the partial correlation based portfolios (PaCP) are much more diversified than the Pearson’s correlation based portfolios (PeCP). Out-of-sample performance of the maximum Sharpe PeCP and PaCP, and the equal-weight portfolio (EWP) are compared. The results are very sensitive to the model parameters (portfolio calibration window and frequency of portfolio rebalancing). While the PeCP weights change significantly from month to month, the PaCP weights outside the bear market effects are almost constant. PaCP outperforms both EWP and PeCP when the 36-month calibration window and one-month rebalancing frequency are used. We conclude that partial covariance is a promising concept for constructing optimal portfolios.
Prevalence of human papilloma virus in men attending the infertility clinic

Summary. Subclinical human papilloma virus is a potential carcinogen in the male and female genital tract. The sexually active male infertility population represents a high risk group for harbouring this disease. To determine the prevalence of subclinical human papillomavirus in this group, penoscopy was done on 96 male patients visiting the infertility clinic. The feasibility of routine penoscopy as part of the infertility work‐up was also investigated. Of the 96 patients 20 had acetowhite lesions on their penes with penoscopy. Thirteen patients (13.5%), 12 proven by biopsy of the aceto‐white lesions, and one proven by fluid in situ hybridization on superficial epithelial cells of the distal urethra, were positive for human papillomavirus. Two of the 12 biopsy‐positive cases were also proven positive by fluid in situ hybridization. It was concluded that human papillomavirus had a high prevalence amongst asymptomatic male patients attending the infertility clinic and that penoscopy should be included as routine investigation in the work‐up of the male infertility patient. —
Clinical profile of neonates with acute renal injury in neonatal intensive care unit at GMERS Medical College and General Hospital, Gotri, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an acute deterioration in ability of the kidneys to maintain homeostasis of body fluids and electrolytes leading to retention of wasted and toxic metabolic end products. It is fairly common in newborn population and is a major contributor of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The aim was to study the incidence of renal failure in high risk neonates and risk factors for renal failure.Methods: A prospective observational study was done to evaluate renal profile in high risk neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit, GMERS Medical College and General Hospital, Gotri, Vadodara, Gujarat, India over a 1-year period. nRifle criteria was used for classification of acute kidney injury.Results: The incidence of AKI in high risk newborns admitted in this study was 52 (37.14%). The male to female ratio in current study was 2.46:1. Majority of neonates with AKI were out born 44 (84.6%). The incidence of AKI was higher in term newborns. Mean weight in AKI group was 2048 grams. The highest incidence of AKI was found in AFD newborns (57.69%). nRifle criteria was used to diagnose AKI in this study. Out of 52 neonates who had AKI, 27 (51.9%) were in risk category, 21 (40.4%) were in injury group and 4 (7.7%) were in failure group. Mortality in these groups were 5 (18.51%), 7 (33.33%) and 3 (75%) respectively. Highest correlation of risk factors for AKI was found with birth asphyxia 18 (34.9%) followed by sepsis 12 (23.1%) and shock 15 (28.5%). 29 (55.76%) neonates had non oliguric AKI. 28 (53.8%) neonates with AKI developed dyselectrolytemia.Conclusions: Early recognition and management of risk factors can help in reducing the occurrence and improve outcomes in them.
Genetic diversity and structure of an endangered desert shrub and the implications for conservation

Tamarix taklamakanensis is an endangered shrub endemic to arid basins of northwestern China. Based on seven microsatellite loci, we assessed the genetic diversity and structure of 15 populations in the Tarim Basin, China. We found that the total gene diversity was moderate, whereas the allelic diversity was low; we also found high levels of gene flow among populations of T. taklamakanensis in the center of Tarim Basin, but higher levels genetic differentiation in geographically outlying populations. Our study will provide useful information for conservation and restoration.
Natural history of colorectal nonpolypoid adenomas: a prospective colonoscopic study and relation with cell kinetics and K-ras mutations

OBJECTIVE:Serial colonoscopic observations were prospectively conducted to elucidate the natural history of nonpolypoid tumors. Furthermore, to clarify whether cell kinetic status affects the tumor development, proliferative indices, apoptotic indices, and K-ras codon 12 point mutations on biopsy specimens were investigated.METHODS:Seventy-five colorectal tumors, 13 polypoid and 62 nonpolypoid type (56 flat elevated and six depressed type) were studied. Proliferating and apoptotic cells were detected with anti-Ki-67 antibody and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling method, respectively. Point mutations at K-ras codon 12 were examined by enriched polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.RESULTS:The average follow-up period was 22 months (range 1–50). The lesions of subsequent exophytic growth, unchanged shape, depressed growth, and disappearance were observed in 0%, 92%, 0%, and 8% of polypoid type, in 39%, 39%, 13%, and 9% of flat elevated type, and in 33%, 67%, 0%, and 0% of depressed type, respectively. There was no significant difference in tumor size between initial and follow-up colonoscopy. Nonpolypoid tumors apparently changed to the exophytic growth during 2 yr or more. The tumors with exophytic growth had significantly higher proliferative indices/apoptotic indices ratios than those with unchanged morphology and disappearance/depressed growth (p < 0.05, respectively). K-ras codon 12 point mutations did not correlate with tumor development.CONCLUSIONS:Cell kinetic status plays an important role in determining minute colorectal tumor development, but not K-ras codon 12 mutations. Minute nonpolypoid adenomas frequently tend to grow slowly, and nearly 40% of those become the exophytic growth with time. Most of minute nonpolypoid tumors seem to follow the adenoma-carcinoma sequence.
Photosynthesis and ion content of leaves and isolated chloroplasts of salt-stressed spinach.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) plants were subjected to salt stress by adding NaCl to the nutrient solution in increments of 25 millimolar per day to a final concentration of 200 millimolar. Plants were harvested 3 weeks after starting NaCl treatment. Fresh and dry weight of both shoots and roots was decreased more than 50% compared to control plants but the salt-stressed plants appeared healthy and were still actively growing. The salt-stressed plants had much thicker leaves. The salt-treated plants osmotically adjusted to maintain leaf turgor. Leaf K(+) was decreased but Na(+) and Cl(-) were greatly increased.The potential photosynthetic capacity of the leaves was measured at saturating CO(2) to overcome any stomatal limitation. Photosynthesis of salt-stressed plants varied only by about 10% from the controls when expressed on a leaf area or chlorophyll basis. The yield of variable chlorophyll a fluorescence from leaves was not affected by salt stress. Stomatal conductance decreased 70% in response to salt treatment.Uncoupled rates of electron transport by isolated intact chloroplasts and by thylakoids were only 10 to 20% below those for control plants. CO(2)-dependent O(2) evolution was decreased by 20% in chloroplasts isolated from salt-stressed plants. The concentration of K(+) in the chloroplast decreased by 50% in the salt-stressed plants, Na(+) increased by 70%, and Cl(-) increased by less than 20% despite large increases in leaf Na(+) and Cl(-). It is concluded that, for spinach, salt stress does not result in any major decrease in the photosynthetic potential of the leaf. Actual photosynthesis by the plant may be reduced by other factors such as decreased stomatal conductance and decreased leaf area. Effective compartmentation of ions within the cell may prevent the accumulation of inhibitory levels of Na(+) and Cl(-) in the chloroplast.
Long-term course of acute brief psychosis in a developing country setting

Background This study in North India compared acute brief psychosis – defined by acute onset, brief duration and no early relapse – with other remitting psychoses, over a 12-year course and outcome. Method In a cohort of incident psychoses, we identified 20 cases of acute brief psychosis and a comparison group of 43 other remitting psychoses based on two-year follow-up. Seventeen people (85%) in the acute brief psychosis group and 36 (84%) in the comparison group were reassessed at five, seven and 12 years after onset, and were rediagnosed using ICD–10 criteria. Results At 12-year follow-up, the proportion with remaining signs of illness was 6% (n=1) for acute brief psychosis versus 50% (n=18) for the comparison group (P=0.002). Using ICD–10 criteria, the majority in both groups were diagnosed as having schizophrenia. Conclusions Acute brief psychosis has a distinctive and benign long-term course when compared with other remitting psychoses. This finding supports the ICD– 10 concept of a separable group of acute and transient psychotic disorders. To effectively separate this group, however, the ICD–10 criteria need modification.
Few Danish pregnant women follow guidelines on periconceptional use of folic acid.

INTRODUCTION Approximately 60-70 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects (NTD) in Denmark annually. Folic acid (FA) deficiency can cause NTD. Periconceptional FA supplementation reduces the risk of NTD by up to 70-80%. Danish women planning pregnancy are recommended 0.4 mg of FA daily from at least one month before planned conception and continuing throughout the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to examine the knowledge about and use of FA supplementation among Danish pregnant women. METHODS From 11 October 2012 to 15 November 2012, all women attending for a routine nuchal translucency scan were given a questionnaire regarding their knowledge and use of FA supplementation during their current pregnancy. RESULTS A total of 462 women answered the questionnaire. 95% had taken FA supplements at some point during their pregnancy, but only 10.4% as recommended. More than 80% stated knowledge about recommendations before the current pregnancy. Positive predictors of knowledge were: age > 30 years, multiparity, Danish origin and education > 3 years. CONCLUSION Despite national recommendations on periconceptional FA supplementation, our study showed that women do not follow these recommendations. Especially women with a low socio-economic status were likely to lack knowledge about FA supplementation in relation to pregnancy. There is a need for revision of the existing national recommendations and for other initiatives aiming to improve women's intake of FA, including FA fortification of flour and/or other food products. FUNDING not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (No.: 01855 HVH-2012-044).
A 10-year national trend study of alcohol consumption, 1984-1995: is the period of declining drinking over?

OBJECTIVES Data from the 1984, 1990, and 1995 National Alcohol Surveys were used to investigate whether declines shown previously in drinking and heavy drinking across many demographic subgroups have continued. METHODS Three alcohol consumption indicators--current drinking (vs abstaining), weekly drinking, and weekly heavy drinking (5 or more drinks in a day)--were assessed for the total US population and for demographic subgroups. RESULTS Rates of current drinking, weekly drinking, and frequent heavy drinking, previously reported to have decreased between the 1984 and 1990 surveys, remained unchanged between 1990 and 1995. Separate analyses for each beverage type (beer, wine, and spirits) and most demographic subgroups revealed similar temporal patterns. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol consumption levels, declining since the early 1980s, may reach a minimum by the 21st century. Consumption levels should be monitored carefully over the next few years in the event that long-term alcohol consumption trends may be shifting.
Rural Livelihood Diversification and its Effects on Household Food Security: A Case Study at Damota Gale Woreda, Wolayta, Southern Ethiopia

This research aimed at identifying the major livelihood diversification activities, reasons for diversification and the main challenges of livelihood diversification and assessing the effect of livelihood diversification on food security at household level. A blended approach that involved quantitative and qualitative research methods was used. Quantitative data were collected through household survey using questionnaire, while focus group discussions, key informant interview and direct observation were used to generate the relevant qualitative data. The data were analysed using appropriate methods and the results revealed that the insufficient endowment of households with the major livelihood assets (the tiny landholding being the prominent one) hampered their efforts to produce sufficient food for their household requirement. Diversification was widespread in the study area and it was the poor and the destitute households who diversified their livelihood most. The research also found out that livelihood diversification, despite its being taken up as a food security strategy mostly by the poor and the destitute who have limited access to livelihood assets, could not enable the households to feel food secure.
Why the need and how to approach the functional diversity of extracellular vesicles

In the past decade, cell-to-cell communication mediated by exosomes has attracted growing attention from biomedical scientists and physicians, leading to several recent publications in top-tier journals. Exosomes are generally defined as secreted membrane vesicles, or extracellular vesicles (EVs), corresponding to the intraluminal vesicles of late endosomal compartments, which are secreted upon fusion of multi-vesicular endosomes with the cell's plasma membrane. Cells, however, were shown to release other types of EVs, for instance, by direct budding off their plasma membrane. Some of these EVs share with exosomes major biophysical and biochemical characteristics, such as size, density and membrane orientation, which impose difficulties in their efficient separation. Despite frequent claims in the literature, whether exosomes really display more important patho/physiological functions, or are endowed with higher potential as diagnostic or therapeutic tools than other EVs, is not yet convincingly demonstrated. In this opinion article, we describe reasons for this lack of precision knowledge in the current stage of the EV field, we review recently described approaches to overcome these caveats, and we propose ways to improve our knowledge on the respective functions of distinct EVs, which will be crucial for future development of well-designed EV-based clinical applications. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘Extracellular vesicles and the tumour microenvironment’.
Immunoelectron Microscopic Localization of Cholesterol Using Biotinylated and Non-cytolytic Perfringolysin O

We used a proteolytically modified and biotinylated derivative of the cholesterol-binding θ-toxin (perfringolysin O) to localize cholesterol-rich membranes in cryosections of cultured human lymphoblastoid cells (RN) by electron microscopy. We developed a fixation and immunolabeling procedure to improve the preservation of membranes and minimize the extraction and dislocalization of cholesterol on thin sections. We also labeled the surface of living cells and applied high-pressure freezing and subsequent fixation of cryosections during thawing. Cholesterol labeling was found at the plasma membrane, with strongest labeling on filopodium-like processes. Strong labeling was also associated with internal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and similar vesicles at the cell surface after secretion (exosomes). Tubulovesicular elements in close vicinity of endosomes and the Golgi complex were often positive as well, but the surrounding membrane of MVBs and the Golgi cisternae appeared mostly negative. Treatment of cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin completely abolished the labeling for cholesterol. Our results show that the θ-toxin derivative, when used in combination with improved fixation and high-pressure freezing, represents a useful tool for the localization of membrane cholesterol in ultrathin cryosections.
Contribution of ICT on Labor Market Polarization: an Evolutionary Approach

This paper analyses the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the job market polarization. We rely on an evolutionary framework by applying a “distance from mean approach”. Using data for 8 industrialized economies, we account for probable heterogeneous and timevarying effects through the estimation of a semi parametric smooth coefficient model. Our results show a significant contribution of ICT on polarization dynamics with some differences between countries and industries. We also find evidence that diffusion of ICT is initially accompanied by a Skill Bias Technological Change (SBTC), then contributing to job market polarization. Finally, our findings highlight a progressive weakening of the positive link between ICT diffusion and the increasing demand for high-skilled workers over time.
Sequential Observation of Fundus Changes in Patients with Long Standing Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type II (MPGN type II)

Specific fundus changes have been reported in patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN type II). We studied the clinical course of this retinopathy in four patients who all had a long follow-up with several fundus examinations. Sequential observation was indicative of a slow progression of the retinopathy. Most eyes maintained in the chronic stages a nearly normal visual acuity, and a full visual field despite the existence of marked drusen and atrophic changes. The prognosis however must be somewhat guarded, since choroidal neovascularization developed in three eyes and caused bilateral severe visual loss in one patient