Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A pilot study evaluating surfactant on eustachian tube function in divers.

BACKGROUND Middle ear barotrauma (MEBT) is the most common medical complication in diving, aviation, and hyperbaric medicine. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) quantifies the inability to open the eustachian tube (ET), risking MEBT. Surfactant administration improved ET function and efficaciously treated otitis media in a host of animal models. We performed a pilot study evaluating the efficacy of intranasal surfactant administration in reducing MEBT in repetitive diving. METHODS Eight divers participated in a subject-blinded, placebo-controlled, random order, multiarm (air and O2)-repeated measures trial investigating the relative efficacy of intranasally administered surfactant, acetylcysteine and oxymetazoline, and orally administered pseudoephedrine versus saline-placebo in middle ear equilibration during repetitive, multiday diving. Subjects were tested with the Nine-Step Inflation/Deflation Tympanometry Test (NSI/DT) and sonotubometry (testing eustachian tube opening pressure [ETOP]) before and immediately after each dive. RESULTS Significant interaction effects were found for drug-by-test (F8,668 = 4.05; p < 0.001) and the three-way interaction of drug-by-dive-by-test (F16,668 = 2.47; p = 0.001) in sonotubometry testing. The ETOP revealed trends toward lowered (improved) values post-versus predive in all treatment arms, which was significant for oxymetazoline (p = 0.04). Only four of the eight subjects experienced any holds during diving. Statistical analysis of the NSI/DT data showed that none of the drug interventions resulted in improvements in ET function over that expected by chance. CONCLUSIONS There is large intra- and intersubject variability in daily functioning of the ET as measured using the NSI/DT and sonotubomtery (ETOP). Sonotubometry engendered trends toward lowered (improved) values post-versus predive in all treatment arms. The repetitive dives did not result in a significant decrease in ET function as evidenced in the saline-placebo trials, circumventing an ability to detect superiority among the various treatment arms in our subject population. Additionally, since our study was underpowered to detect significant effects, we can only assert that various inhalational agents may improve middle ear ventilation in repetitive diving warranting further study. A larger subject population including subjects diagnosed with ET dysfunction may provide more statistical power to discern the benefit of inhaled agents as a useful prophylactic for preventing or reducing ET dysfunction during diving and/or hyperbaric/hypobaric pressure changes.
Determinants of Land and Labour Market Participation Decisions in Rural Ethiopia

This paper attempts to determine the factors influencing farmers' land and labour market participation decisions in rural Ethiopia. A multivariate probit estimation technique is used to account for potential interdependencies between land and labour allocation strategies. Results suggest that households that are better endowed with farming resources such as oxen and farming skills are more likely to get access to more land and labour through factor markets, while households that are less endowed with these resources are more likely to rent out their land and participate in off-farm jobs. The complementary nature of land renting out and involvement in off-farm work suggests that policy makers should give due consideration to the development of rural off-farm jobs to reduce poverty in rural areas.
Evaluation of serum biochemical marker concentrations and survival time in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate serum concentrations of biochemical markers and survival time in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 29 dogs with PLE and 18 dogs with food-responsive diarrhea (FRD). PROCEDURES Data regarding serum concentrations of various biochemical markers at the initial evaluation were available for 18 of the 29 dogs with PLE and compared with findings for dogs with FRD. Correlations between biochemical marker concentrations and survival time (interval between time of initial evaluation and death or euthanasia) for dogs with PLE were evaluated. RESULTS Serum C-reactive protein concentration was high in 13 of 18 dogs with PLE and in 2 of 18 dogs with FRD. Serum concentration of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was high in 3 dogs with PLE but within the reference interval in all dogs with FRD. Serum α1-proteinase inhibitor concentration was less than the lower reference limit in 9 dogs with PLE and 1 dog with FRD. Compared with findings in dogs with FRD, values of those 3 variables in dogs with PLE were significantly different. Serum calprotectin (measured by radioimmunoassay and ELISA) and S100A12 concentrations were high but did not differ significantly between groups. Seventeen of the 29 dogs with PLE were euthanized owing to this disease; median survival time was 67 days (range, 2 to 2,551 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Serum C-reactive protein, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations differed significantly between dogs with PLE and FRD. Most initial biomarker concentrations were not predictive of survival time in dogs with PLE.
THE MIDDLE-INCOME TRAP: IS THERE A WAY OUT FOR ASIAN COUNTRIES?

This study aims at investigating the phenomena of the middle-income trap found in developing Asian countries, such as China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The effects of some of the determinant variables of per capita income, such as government expenditure, investment expenditure, high technology exports, factors of human capital (enrollment rates in secondary and tertiary education), and the dependency ratio are analyzed by using a factor analysis and regression analysis. The factor analysis is used to reduce the variable of the publics’ enrollment rate in secondary and tertiary education into the variable of the human capital factor. The findings of the study reveal that some variables, namely government expenditure, investment expenditure, high technology exports, and the factors of human capital, have positive effects in increasing the per capita income of a country. The variable of the dependency ratio, on the other hand, has a negative effect on a country’s per capita income. Keywords: Asian, middle-income trap, panel analysis, and slowdown.
Integrating Anisakis spp. parasites data and host genetic structure in the frame of a holistic approach for stock identification of selected Mediterranean Sea fish species

SUMMARY The unique environment of the Mediterranean Sea makes fish stock assessment a major challenge. Stock identification of Mediterranean fisheries has been based mostly from data on biology, morphometrics, artificial tags, otolith shape and fish genetics, with less effort on the use of parasites as biomarkers. Here we use some case studies comparing Mediterranean vs Atlantic fish stocks in a multidisciplinary framework. The generalized Procrustes Rotation (PR) was used to assess the association between host genetics and larval Anisakis spp. datasets on demersal (hake) and pelagic (horse mackerel, swordfish) species. When discordant results emerged, they were due to the different features of the data. While fish population genetics can detect changes over an evolutionary timescale, providing indications on the cohesive action of gene flow, parasites are more suitable biomarkers when considering fish stocks over smaller temporal and spatial scales, hence giving information of fish movements over their lifespan. Future studies on the phylogeographic analysis of parasites suitable as biomarkers, and that of their fish host, performed on the same genes, will represent a further tool to be included in multidisciplinary studies on fish stock structure.
Massive Bleeding and Massive Transfusion

Massive bleeding in trauma patients is a serious challenge for all clinicians, and an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach is warranted within a limited time frame. Massive transfusion usually is defined as the transfusion of more than 10 units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) within 24 h or a corresponding blood loss of more than 1- to 1.5-fold of the body’s entire blood volume. Especially male trauma patients experience this life-threatening condition within their productive years of life. An important parameter for clinical outcome is to succeed in stopping the bleeding preferentially within the first 12 h of hospital admission. Additional coagulopathy in the initial phase is induced by trauma itself and aggravated by consumption and dilution of clotting factors. Although different aspects have to be taken into consideration when viewing at bleedings induced by trauma compared to those caused by major surgery, the basic strategy is similar. Here, we will focus on trauma-induced massive hemorrhage. Currently there are no definite, worldwide accepted algorithms for blood transfusion and strategies for optimal coagulation management. There is increasing evidence that a higher ratio of plasma and RBCs (e.g. 1:1) endorsed by platelet transfusion might result in a superior survival of patients at risk for trauma-induced coagulopathy. Several strategies have been evolved in the military environment, although not all strategies should be transferred unproven to civilian practice, e.g. the transfusion of whole blood. Several agents have been proposed to support the restoration of coagulation. Some have been used for years without any doubt on their benefit-to-risk profile, whereas great enthusiasm of other products has been discouraged by inefficacy in terms of blood transfusion requirements and mortality or significant severe side effects. This review surveys current literature on fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion, and hemostatic agents currently used during massive hemorrhage in order to optimize patients’ blood and coagulation management in emergency medical aid.
Determinants of behavior in homeless and low-income housed preschool children.

OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics of homeless and low-income preschool-aged children, and to identify family and environmental determinants of their behavior. METHODS An unmatched case-control design was used to recruit a sample of sheltered homeless families and a comparison group of low-income housed families who were never homeless in Worcester, Massachusetts. Seventy-seven sheltered homeless and 90 low-income housed mothers with preschool-age children were assessed using a comprehensive interview protocol. Information about mothers' housing, income, service use, par-enting practices, and children's father was obtained. Data about children's background, health, and life events were included. Standardized instruments were administered to assess mothers' mental health and their children's behavior. Comparisons of homeless and low-income housed families were used to describe the sample of 167 preschoolers. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of various stressors, such as homelessness, and family factors with their behavior. RESULTS Although homeless preschoolers were significantly more likely to have experienced stressful life events, undergone a care and protection investigation, and been placed in foster care when compared with low income preschoolers, differences in adverse behaviors were minimal. Although homeless children scored higher than housed children on the internalizing, externalizing, and total problem score on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (52.5 vs 49.9, 54.8 vs 51.2, and 54.4 vs 51.1, respectively), approximately equal numbers of children from both groups scored in the clinical range. With regard to determinants of behavior, mothers' emotional status was one of the strongest independent predictors of negative behavioral outcomes on both subscales. Foster care placement and death of a child's friend were predictors of adverse internalizing behavioral outcomes on the CBCL. After controlling for housing status, parenting practices, child's age, child's history of physical abuse, and specific life stressors predicted adverse externalizing behavioral outcomes. For both subscales, housing status and behavior were only marginally associated in the multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS Both homeless and low-income children experienced significant adversity in their lives, with homeless preschool children facing more stress. However, differences in behavior as measured by the CBCL were minimal. Mothers' emotional status, in addition to various stressors, strongly predict children's negative outcomes for both CBCL subscales. These findings emphasize the importance of preventive family-oriented interventions that address the needs of preschoolers and their mothers.
Differential Effects of Teriparatide on BMD After Treatment With Raloxifene or Alendronate

We investigated the effects of 18 months of treatment with teriparatide in patients previously treated with long‐term antiresorptive therapy using bone turnover markers and bone densitometry. Previous raloxifene treatment allowed for teriparatide‐induced early bone marker and BMD increases comparable with previously published results for treatment‐naïve patients. Conversely, previous alendronate treatment reduced the bone marker and BMD response.
Angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptors bind angiotensin II through different types of epitope recognition.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to demonstrate that the principle of molecular recognition underlying high-affinity binding of angiotensin II to the type 2 (AT2) receptor is distinct from that of the type 1 (AT1) receptor. In general, the same functional pharmacophores in hormones are used to bind and activate different subtypes of cell surface receptors. However, the binding of angiotensin II to the AT2 receptor is distinct from that of the AT1 receptor. DESIGN AND METHODS To systematically evaluate the effect of modification of angiotensin II side chains on binding to both the receptors, several analogs of angiotensin II were synthesized. Rat AT1 or AT2 receptors expressed in COS1 cell membranes were used to determine the affinity of analogs using radioligand competition binding experiments under equilibrium conditions. RESULTS Modifications of all angiotensin II side chains affected binding to the AT2 receptor to nearly similar extents. In contrast, binding to the AT1 receptor was significantly affected by modifications at side chain positions 2, 4, 6 and 7. In accordance with previous observations that Tyr4- or Phe8-modified angiotensin II analogs antagonized vasoconstriction mediated exclusively by the AT1 receptor, binding to the AT1 receptor was significantly dependent on Tyr4 or Phe8 of angiotensin II whereas binding to the AT2 receptor was not. Rather surprisingly, the affinity profile of several angiotensin II analogs towards the AT2 receptor was similar to the measured affinity of the constitutively active N111G mutant AT1 receptor. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the AT2-receptor pharmacophore is very distinct from that of the AT1 receptor. The AT1 receptor is in a constrained conformation and is activated only when bound to angiotensin II. In contrast, the AT2 receptor is 'relaxed' in that no single interaction is critical for binding, like the N111G mutant AT1 receptor, which is constitutively active.
Effect of fasting on physical/chemical properties of ordinary muscles in full-cycle cultured Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis during chilled storage

Using the full-cycle cultured (FC) Pacific bluefin tuna [body weight 16.3±1.9 kg (pre-fasting group, pre-FG), 14.2±0.9 kg (post-fasting group, post-FG)], changes in the physical/chemical properties of the cephalal parts of dorsal (D) and ventral (V) ordinary muscles (OM) by fasting (6 days) during chilled storage (4°C) were investigated. Condition factors were 26.7 (pre-FG) and 20.3 (post-FG, P < 0.05). Fasting changed the liver color to green. Fasting also decreased the amount of protein and lipid contents of the DOM and VOM of FC tuna. The breaking strength and pH of the DOM and VOM of post-FG tuna were higher (P <0.05) than for pre-FG tuna during storage. In contrast, the glycogen contents of DOM and VOM of post-FG tuna were lower than for pre-FG tuna. The color values (L*, a* and b*) of DOM of post-FG tuna were lower than for pre-FG tuna throughout the storage period. In addition, the metmyoglobin (metMb) content of DOM of post-FG tuna was lower (P <0.05) than that of pre-FG tuna, and the metMb content of VOM of post-FG tuna remained low after fasting. These results indicate that fasting suppresses deterioration (especially meat color) of FC tuna muscles during chilled storage.
Establishing reference values for central blood pressure and its amplification in a general healthy population and according to cardiovascular risk factors.

AIMS Estimated central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and amplification (Brachial SBP-cSBP) are non-invasive measures potentially prognostic of cardiovascular (CV) disease. No worldwide, multiple-device reference values are available. We aimed to establish reference values for a worldwide general population standardizing between the different available methods of measurement. How these values were significantly altered by cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) was then investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS Existing data from population surveys and clinical trials were combined, whether published or not. Reference values of cSBP and amplification were calculated as percentiles for 'Normal' (no CVRFs) and 'Reference' (any CVRFs) populations. We included 45,436 subjects out of 82,930 that were gathered from 77 studies of 53 centres. Included subjects were apparently healthy, not treated for hypertension or dyslipidaemia, and free from overt CV disease and diabetes. Values of cSBP and amplification were stratified by brachial blood pressure categories and age decade in turn, both being stratified by sex. Amplification decreased with age and more so in males than in females. Sex was the most powerful factor associated with amplification with 6.6 mmHg (5.8-7.4) higher amplification in males than in females. Amplification was marginally but significantly influenced by CVRFs, with smoking and dyslipidaemia decreasing amplification, but increased with increasing levels of blood glucose. CONCLUSION Typical values of cSBP and amplification in a healthy population and a population free of traditional CVRFs are now available according to age, sex, and brachial BP, providing values included from different devices with a wide geographical representation. Amplification is significantly influenced by CVRFs, but differently in men and women.
Virulence Factor NSs of Rift Valley Fever Virus Recruits the F-Box Protein FBXO3 To Degrade Subunit p62 of General Transcription Factor TFIIH

ABSTRACT The nonstructural protein NSs is the main virulence factor of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV; family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus), a serious pathogen of livestock and humans in Africa. RVFV NSs blocks transcriptional upregulation of antiviral type I interferons (IFN) and destroys the general transcription factor TFIIH subunit p62 via the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. Here, we identified a subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligases, F-box protein FBXO3, as a host cell interactor of NSs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of FBXO3 rescued p62 protein levels in RVFV-infected cells and elevated IFN transcription by 1 order of magnitude. NSs interacts with the full-length FBXO3 protein as well as with a truncated isoform that lacks the C-terminal acidic and poly(R)-rich domains. These isoforms are present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. NSs exclusively removes the nuclear pool of full-length FBXO3, likely due to consumption during the degradation process. F-box proteins form the variable substrate recognition subunit of the so-called SCF ubiquitin ligases, which also contain the constant components Skp1, cullin 1 (or cullin 7), and Rbx1. siRNA knockdown of Skp1 also protected p62 from degradation, suggesting involvement in NSs action. However, knockdown of cullin 1, cullin 7, or Rbx1 could not rescue p62 degradation by NSs. Our data show that the enzymatic removal of p62 via the host cell factor FBXO3 is a major mechanism of IFN suppression by RVFV. IMPORTANCE Rift Valley fever virus is a serious emerging pathogen of animals and humans. Its main virulence factor, NSs, enables unhindered virus replication by suppressing the antiviral innate immune system. We identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO3 as a novel host cell interactor of NSs. NSs recruits FBXO3 to destroy the general host cell transcription factor TFIIH-p62, resulting in suppression of the transcriptional upregulation of innate immunity.
Consumer Search Ability, Price Dispersion and the Digital Divide

The ‘digital divide’ in online activities is believed to arise from differences in Internet access, but this paper advances an alternative explanation that is related to consumer search ability. It argues that this leads to greater price dispersion, causing some consumers to be discriminated against. It analyses price data for the UK Internet motor insurance market, collecting data on 32,255 prices for 110 sub-markets, where differences in price dispersion across these by age, occupation and sex of the driver are argued to reflect differences in search ability. Allowing for price dispersion to also depend on the insurance risk, it finds greater price dispersion for consumers with weaker search abilities, i.e. older, unemployed, retired or female consumers. As this is not explained by alternative hypotheses, the paper concludes that improved Internet access alone will not close the ‘digital divide’. The implication is that policymakers should address the online search abilities of individuals as well as Internet access.
Predictors for failed dose reduction of inhaled corticosteroids in childhood asthma

Background and objective: Studies of Western populations have shown that increased exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and/or sputum eosinophils (sp‐Eos) are predictive of asthma exacerbations. However, the utility of these measurements in different populations and settings is unknown. This study aimed to determine the predictors for failure of reduction of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) doses in children with stable asthma.
Rare Disasters and Risk Attitudes: International Differences and Implications for Integrated Assessment Modeling

Evaluation of public policies with uncertain economic outcomes should consider society's preferences regarding risk. However, the preference models used in most integrated assessment models, including those commonly used to inform climate policy, do not adequately characterize the risk attitudes revealed by typical investment decisions. Here, we adopt an empirical approach to risk preference description using international historical data on investment returns and the occurrence of rare economic disasters. We improve on earlier analyses by employing a hierarchical Bayesian inference procedure that allows for nation‐specific estimates of both disaster probabilities and preference parameters. This provides a stronger test of the underlying investment model than provided by previous calibrations and generates some compelling hypotheses for further study. Specifically, results suggest that society is substantially more averse to risk than typically assumed in integrated assessment models. In addition, there appear to be systematic differences in risk preferences among nations. These results are likely to have important implications for policy recommendations: higher aversion to risk increases the precautionary value of taking action to avoid low‐probability, high‐impact outcomes. However, geographically variable attitudes toward risk indicate that this precautionary value could vary widely across nations, thereby potentially complicating the negotiation of transboundary agreements focused on risk reduction.