Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional support of obese critically ill patients.

Obesity is a common medical condition affecting more than 1 in 10 adults in Western European countries [1]. Its prevalence varies considerably in different countries. In Europe, it amounts to about 10–15% of the middleaged population. It is highest in Eastern European countries, in North America, high in Africa and Eastern Asian countries, where it is strongly associated with poverty, but lower in Japan and China. There has been a progressive rise in the overall prevalence of obesity during the last decade, both in adults and children. The medical and economical consequences are enormous. The medical spectrum of obesity is wide, ranging from simple overweight without associated medical risk, to morbid obesity with severe associated comorbidities [1]. Various diagnostic criteria have been used; the most useful and simplest relies on the body mass index (BMI) scale. According to the International Obesity Task Force of the Word Health Organization, the severity of obesity is classified into 3 main categories: (1) overweight: BMI 25–30; (2) obesity: BMI 30–40, and (3) morbid obesity: BMI over 40 kg/m2. In addition to the absolute amount of body fat, as reflected by the BMI, body fat distribution is important: centralization of body fat to the abdominal visceral stores is associated with the development of systemic and metabolic complications [2]. Body fat distribution can easily be assessed in clinical practice using simple anthropometric measurements, such as waist circumference: a circumference over 102 cm in European men and 88 cm in women is an independent risk factor for a cluster of medical and metabolic
Founding Family Ownership and Myopic R&D Investment Behavior

This study examines whether founding family ownership mitigates or exacerbates myopic R&D investment behavior. The prior literature suggests that managers are more likely to engage in earnings management—such as myopic R&D reduction—when firms are facing problematic situations, such as (a) a small earnings decline or loss and/or (b) a debt covenant violation. Employing a sample of R&D-intensive firms in Taiwan, we find that founding family ownership mitigates myopic R&D investment behavior in both problematic situations. These findings are consistent with the “Family Identity” dimension of socioemotional wealth (SEW) theory in which family firms have substantial incentives to protect the family’s reputation and to avoid actions that reduce long-run firm value. In supplementary analyses, we find that family firms continue to avoid myopic R&D reduction under these two situations even when they have limited opportunities to engage in accrual-based earnings management. Furthermore, family CEOs are shown to be responsible for mitigating the tendencies of firms to engage in myopic R&D investment behavior, and the mitigating impact on myopic R&D investment behavior is found only in family firms without control-enhancing mechanisms such as voting–cash flow rights divergence. Our findings are not driven by blockholder effects because our results remain robust after controlling for the presence of institutional investors and nonfamily insiders.
Engineering gene expression and protein synthesis by modulation of nuclear shape

The current understanding of the relationships between cell shape, intracellular forces and signaling, nuclear shape and organization, and gene expression is in its infancy. Here we introduce a method for investigating gene-specific responses in individual cells with controlled nuclear shape and projected area. The shape of the nuclei of primary osteogenic cells were controlled on microfabricated substrata with regiospecific chemistry by confining attachment and spreading of isolated cells on adhesive islands. Gene expression and protein synthesis were altered by changing nuclear shape. Collagen I synthesis correlated directly with cell shape and nuclear shape index (NSI), where intermediate values of nuclear distension (6 < NSI < 8) promoted maximum synthesis. Osteocalcin mRNA, a bone-specific differentiation marker, was observed intracellularly by using reverse transcription in situ PCR at 4 days in cells constrained by the pattern and not detected in unconstrained cells of similar projected area, but different NSI. Our data supports the concept of gene expression and protein synthesis based on optimal distortion of the nucleus, possibly altering transcription factor affinity for DNA, transport to the nucleus, or nuclear matrix organization. The combination of microfabricated surfaces, reverse transcription in situ PCR, and NSI measurement is an excellent system to study how transcription factors, the nuclear matrix, and the cytoskeleton interact to control gene expression and may be useful for studying a wide variety of other cell shape/gene expression relationships.
Enhancement of ALA‐PDT Damage by IR‐lnduced Hyperthermia on a Colon Carcinoma Model

Abstract— The interaction of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and hyperthermia is not well understood. In the present study, significant enhancement of tumor damage was observed after simultaneous application of ALA‐PDT and IR‐induced hyperthermia using a broad‐band incoherent light source. One hour after systemic administration of ALA at a dose of 200 mg/kg, subcutaneously transplanted C26 colon carcinoma tumors were irradiated with two bands of the VersaLight® system, red (R, 580–720 nm) and red plus IR (R+IR, 580–720 nm and 1250–1600 nm). Photoirradiation using the R+IR band at different fluence rates and exposures caused mild heating of the tumor to 39–43°C at a 3 mm depth. Electron microscopy after ALA+R, ALA+R+IR and R+IR treatments showed early mitochondrial swelling that was more pronounced in the ALA+R+IR group. Tumor necrosis assessment, using histology and vital staining, revealed an enhancement of tumor necrosis depth in the ALA+R+IR group compared to ALA+R and R+IR. The results showed that subhyperthermic heating to 39–39.5°C in the ALA+R+IR group decreased the threshold light dose required for 100% tumor necrosis from 210 J/cm2 (observed in the ALA+R group) to 140 J/cm2. A tumor growth delay test, based on tumor volume measurement, also revealed significant enhancement of antitumor effect after application of ALA+R+IR compared to ALA+R.
Distinct lethal arrhythmias susceptibility is associated with sex-related difference in myocardial connexin-43 expression.

OBJECTIVES To elucidate gender-related differences in occurrence of sudden cardiac death the myocardial connexin-43 (Cx43) and the susceptibility of male and female rat hearts to ventricular fibrillation (VF) were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS Ventricular tissues taken from male and female normotensive Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats were processed for immuno-fluorescence and immuno-blotting of Cx43. Susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation was examined in isolated heart preparation using either electrical stimulation or low K+ perfusion. Results showed that VF susceptibility of male either normotensive or hypertensive rats was significantly increased comparing to female counterparts. In correlation, ventricular expression of Cx43 was markedly lower in males of both normotensive and hypertensive rats comparing to females. SHR in addition exhibited abnormal myocardial Cx43 distribution due to structural remodelling. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that higher level of myocardial Cx43 expression is linked with lower lethal arrhythmia susceptibility and vice versa. It appears that Cx43 can be involved in sex-related differences in incidence of life-threatening arrhythmias.
Protein folding simulation with solvent‐induced force field: Folding pathway ensemble of three‐helix‐bundle proteins

We propose a coarse‐grained model of proteins that take into account solvent effects and apply it for simulating folding of a three‐helix‐bundle protein. The energy functional form, refined from our previous work (Takada et al., J Chem Phys 1999;110:11616–11629), tries to closely imitate real physico‐chemical interactions. In particular, the hydrogen bond that depends on local dielectric constant, the helix capping effect, and side‐chain entropic effects are included. With use of the model, we simulate folding of the GA module of an albumin binding domain, 1prb7–53, finding most trajectories reach at the native topology within 1 μs. In the simulation, helices 1 and 3 are mostly formed earlier accompanied by non‐specific collapse, while second helix is intrinsically less stable and is formed with the help of tertiary contacts at later stage. We compute an analog of the transition state ensemble and compare it with those of other three‐helix‐bundle proteins. The transition state of 1prb7–53 includes a few specific tertiary contacts of C terminus of helix 3 with the loop region between helices 1 and 2. This resembles, but is not equivalent to, an early formed region of fragment B of staphylococcal protein A, but is quite different from the folding transient structures of a de novo designed three‐helix‐bundle peptide. Proteins 2001;42:85–98. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of the dentate gyrus, CA3a,b, and CA3c for detecting spatial and environmental novelty

It has been suggested that the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 cooperate to efficiently process spatial information. The DG has been proposed to be important for fine spatial discrimination, and the CA3 has been proposed to mediate larger scale spatial information processing. To evaluate the roles of the DG and CA3a,b for spatial processing, we developed a task that measures responses to either overall environmental novelty or a response to more subtle changes within the environment. Animals with lesions to the DG showed impaired novelty detection for both environment as well as smaller changes in the environment, whereas animals with lesions to CA3a,b showed no such deficits. A closer look at the lesions suggested that the CA3 lesions included only CA3a and CA3b, but spared CA3c. To test the role of the spared CA3c region, animals with selective lesions to CA3c that spared CA3a,b were run on the same task and showed an intermediate pattern of deficits. These results suggest that the DG is critical for spatial information processing. These data also suggest that CA3 is a heterogeneous structure, with CA3c lesioned animals showing greater spatial processing deficits than CA3a,b lesioned animals. These findings extend our knowledge of hippocampal function and need to be accounted for in future computational models. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A magnetic field‐responsive domain in the human HSP70 promoter

HSP70 gene expression is induced by a wide range of environmental stimuli, including 60‐Hz electromagnetic fields. In an earlier report we showed that the induction of HSP70 gene expression by magnetic fields is effected at the level of transcription and is mediated through c‐myc protein binding at two nCTCTn sequences at −230 and −160. in the human HSP70 promoter. We report on the identification of a third c‐myc binding site (between −158 and −162) that is an important regulator of magnetic field‐induced HSP70 expression. We also show that the heat shock element (HSE), lying between −180 and −203, is required for induction of HSP70 gene expression by magnetic fields. The HSE centered at −100 alone is insufficient. J. Cell. Biochem. 77:170–176, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bariatric Surgery Reduces Features of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Morbidly Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The effects of bariatric surgery in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) are not well established. We performed a prospective study to determine the biological and clinical effects of bariatric surgery in patients with NASH. METHODS From May 1994 through May 2013, one hundred and nine morbidly obese patients with biopsy-proven NASH underwent bariatric surgery at the University Hospital of Lille, France (the Lille Bariatric Cohort). Clinical, biological, and histologic data were collected before and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS One year after surgery, NASH had disappeared from 85% of the patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 75.8%-92.2%). Compared with before surgery, patients had significant reductions in mean ± SD body mass index (BMI, from 49.3 ± 8.2 to 37.4 ± 7) and level of alanine aminotransferase (from 52.1 ± 25.7 IU/L to 25.1 ± 20 IU/L); mean levels of γ-glutamyltransferases were reduced from 51 IU/L before surgery (interquartile range [IQR], 34-87 IU/L) to 23 IU/L afterward (IQR, 14-33 IU/L) and mean insulin resistance index values were reduced from 3.6 ± 0.5 to 2.9 ± 0.5 (P < .01 for each comparison). NASH disappeared from a higher proportion of patients with mild NASH before surgery (94%) than severe NASH (70%) (P < .05) according to Brunt score. In histologic analysis, steatosis was detected in 60% of the tissue before surgery (IQR, 40%-80%) but only 10% 1 year after surgery (IQR, 2.5%-21.3%); the mean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease score was reduced from 5 (IQR, 4-5) to 1 (IQR, 1-2) (each P < .001). Hepatocellular ballooning was reduced in 84.2% of samples (n = 69; 95% CI: 74.4-91.3) and lobular inflammation in 67.1% (n = 55; 95% CI: 55.8-77.1). According to Metavir scores, fibrosis was reduced in 33.8% of patients (95% CI: 23.6%-45.2%). Patients whose NASH persisted 1 year after surgery (n = 12) had lost significantly less weight (change in BMI, 9.1 ± 1.5) than those without NASH (change in BMI, 12.3 ± 0.6) (P = .005). Patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric banding lost less weight (change in BMI, 6.4 ± 0.7) than those who underwent gastric bypass (change in BMI, 14.0 ± 0.5) (P < .0001), and a higher proportion had persistent NASH (30.4% vs 7.6% of those with gastric bypass; P = .015). CONCLUSIONS Bariatric surgery induced the disappearance of NASH from nearly 85% of patients and reduced the pathologic features of the disease after 1 year of follow-up. It could be a therapeutic option for appropriate morbidly obese patients with NASH who do not respond to lifestyle modifications. More studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients with NASH.
Maternal childhood adversity and child temperament: An association moderated by child 5‐HTTLPR genotype

We examined transgenerational effects of maternal childhood adversity on child temperament and a functional promoter polymorphism, 5‐HTTLPR, in the serotonin‐transporter gene (SLC6A4) as potential moderators of such maternal influences in 154 mother–child dyads, recruited into a longitudinal birth cohort study. We examined the interactive effects of maternal childhood experience using an integrated measure derived from Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Parental Bonding Index (PBI). Triallelic genotyping of 5‐HTTLPR was performed. A measure of ‘negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation’ was derived from the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire at 18 and 36 months. Negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation was highly stable between 18 and 36 months and predicted psychosocial problems at 60 months. After controlling multiple demographics as well as both previous and concurrent maternal depression there was a significant interaction effect of maternal childhood adversity and offspring 5‐HTTLPR genotype on child negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation (β = 1.03, t11,115 = 2.71, P < .01). The results suggest a transgenerational effect of maternal developmental history on emotional function in the offspring, describing a pathway that likely contributes to the familial transmission of vulnerability for psychopathology.
Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time in thromboprophylaxis with unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing cesarean section

Aim: Hemorrhage is an important complication of heparin‐thromboprophylaxis after surgery. We attempted to clarify the incidence rate of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), representative of hemorrhagic tendency, in Japanese women who received thromboprophylaxis with unfractionated subcutaneous heparin administration after cesarean section (CS). We also determined factors which affected postoperative APTT.
Relationship of Laboratory and on-Road Tests for Driving-School Students and Experienced Drivers

There is a pressing need to evaluate driving ability without an actual driving test but no reliable, standardised procedure is available. This study investigated the resulting distortion performance evaluation for different driver groups in on-road tests due to driving skills and driving style. Two groups, 15 female driving school students and 25 experienced male drivers were examined using cognitive and psychomotor tests and standard personality questionnaires as well as an on-road driving test. The students made significantly fewer errors on the driving test than the experienced drivers. The former group's driving performance could be predicted by errors on the laboratory tests, along with personality factors, while experienced drivers' driving errors were best predicted by slowness on laboratory tests. This study suggests that, when a series of standard cognitive and psychomotor tests are considered, different measures may apply in predicting young people's ability to drive safely based on assessing driving ability of experienced drivers, assumed lowered due to distorted driving style.
Reverberation Mapping of Optical Emission Lines in Five Active Galaxies

We present the first results from an optical reverberation mapping campaign executed in 2014 targeting the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) MCG+08-11-011, NGC 2617, NGC 4051, 3C 382, and Mrk 374. Our targets have diverse and interesting observational properties, including a “changing look” AGN and a broad-line radio galaxy. Based on continuum-Hβ lags, we measure black hole masses for all five targets. We also obtain Hγ and He ii λ4686 lags for all objects except 3C 382. The He ii λ4686 lags indicate radial stratification of the BLR, and the masses derived from different emission lines are in general agreement. The relative responsivities of these lines are also in qualitative agreement with photoionization models. These spectra have extremely high signal-to-noise ratios (100–300 per pixel) and there are excellent prospects for obtaining velocity-resolved reverberation signatures.
MultiResolution Analysis and Component Substitution techniques for hyperspectral Pansharpening

Images with high spatial and spectral resolutions are desirable for remote sensing applications. Unfortunately, due to sensor physical constraints, this result cannot be obtained by a single sensor. To overcome these limitations, a great number of data fusion approaches have been developed in the last years. The fusion of panchromatic and multispectral images, also known as Pansharpening, is capturing a lot of attention in the literature. In this paper, we extend and analyze the use of some classical pansharpening techniques, belonging to the MultiResolution Analysis and Component Substitution families, for fusing hyperspectral data instead of multispectral ones. The experimental results, conducted on two real datasets acquired by the Hyperion/ALI and CHRIS-Proba/QuickBird sensors, point out the greater suitability of the algorithms into the MRA class thanks to a better spectral consistency of the final products, which is a desirable feature when the number of bands to fuse increases.
Intra-Household Bargaining in Poor Countries

This chapter assesses the relevance of the collective model for the analysis of households in poor countries. As an economic unit, a household creates the possibility of mutual gains for spouses thanks to the possibility of joint consumption of public goods, risk sharing, etc. The collective model assumes that households behave efficiently, in the sense that there is no misallocation or waste of household resources, given the outside options of each spouse. This chapter bridges the theoretical literature describing efficient intra-household behaviour and the development literature that collects empirical regularities pointing toward the existence of strategic decision making among spouses. It examines the key elements of the collective model and discusses its relevance to analysing intra-household behaviour in poor countries. It explores the role that risk and uncertainty, information asymmetries, power imbalances, arranged marriages, strategic investment, gender norms, and extended households play in the attainment of efficiency.
The shape of a fertility transition: an analysis of birth intervals in eastern Belgium.

We propose here a new way to look for evidence of fertility control. Most previous studies have relied on age-specific patterns of marital fertility which do not provide sensitive measures of the timing of "stopping" behavior and do not consider "spacing" at all. We show that both stopping and spacing can be identified in birth interval survival curves. Analysis of data from nineteenth-century Belgium finds that changes in both stopping and spacing were at work. The fertility transition was characterized by an increase in stopping but there was also a decrease in spacing which began earlier and continued while stopping was spreading. We also introduce a statistical technique known as the "cure model" which allows us to estimate the effects of covariates on stopping and spacing separately. (authors)
Methodological considerations in assessment of language lateralisation with fMRI: a systematic review

The involvement of the right and left hemispheres in mediating language functions has been measured in a variety of ways over the centuries since the relative dominance of the left hemisphere was first known. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) presents a useful non-invasive method of assessing lateralisation that is being increasingly used in clinical practice and research. However, the methods used in the fMRI laterality literature currently are highly variable, making systematic comparisons across studies difficult. Here we consider the different methods of quantifying and classifying laterality that have been used in fMRI studies since 2000, with the aim of determining which give the most robust and reliable measurement. Recommendations are made with a view to informing future research to increase standardisation in fMRI laterality protocols. In particular, the findings reinforce the importance of threshold-independent methods for calculating laterality indices, and the benefits of assessing heterogeneity of language laterality across multiple regions of interest and tasks. This systematic review was registered as a protocol on Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/hyvc4/.