Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Muscle Function, Mass, and Quality in Liver Transplant Candidates: Results From the Functional Assessment in Liver Transplantation Study

Background Sarcopenia and functional impairment are common and lethal extrahepatic manifestations of cirrhosis. We aimed to determine the association between computed tomography (CT)-based measures of muscle mass and quality (sarcopenia) and performance-based measures of muscle function. Methods Adults listed for liver transplant underwent testing of muscle function (grip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) within 3 months of abdominal CT. Muscle mass (cm2/m2) = total cross-sectional area of psoas, paraspinal, and abdominal wall muscles at L3 on CT, normalized for height. Muscle quality = mean Hounsfield units for total skeletal muscle area at L3. Results Among 292 candidates, median grip strength was 31 kg, SPPB score was 11, muscle mass was 49 cm2/m2, and muscle quality was 35 Hounsfield units. Grip strength weakly correlated with muscle mass (&rgr; = 0.26, P < 0.001) and quality (&rgr; = 0.27, P < 0.001) in men, and muscle quality (&rgr; = 0.23, P = 0.02), but not muscle mass, in women. Short Physical Performance Battery correlated weakly with muscle quality in men (&rgr; = 0.38, P < 0.001) and women (&rgr; = 0.25, P = 0.02), however, did not correlate with muscle mass in men or women. After adjustment for sex, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-Na, hepatocellular carcinoma, and body mass index, grip strength (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.59-0.92; P = 0.008), SPPB (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97; P = 0.01), and muscle quality (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.95; P = 0.02) were associated with waitlist mortality, but muscle mass was not (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.75-1.11; P = 0.35). Conclusions Performance-based tests of muscle function are only modestly associated with CT-based muscle measures. Given that they predict waitlist mortality and can be conducted quickly and economically, tests of muscle function may have greater clinical utility than CT-based measures of sarcopenia.
K+ Channels in Cultured Bovine Retinal Pericytes: Effects of &bgr;‐Adrenergic Stimulation

&NA; Retinal pericytes are key cells involved in the regulation of retinal blood flow. The purpose of this work was to identify the K+ channel population expressed in cultured bovine retinal pericytes and to determine whether &bgr;‐adrenergic stimulation alters the activity of these channels. Isolated pericytes were obtained by homogenization and filtration of bovine retina and K+ channels were studied with the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp technique on 3–5 passaged pericytes. Pericytes expressed an inward current dependent on extracellular K+ concentration which was sensitive to micromolar concentrations of barium, a characteristic of an inward‐rectifying K+ current. Furthermore, two voltage‐dependent outward currents were also observed. Their activation and inactivation properties, as well as their respective sensitivity to 4‐aminopyridine and iberiotoxin, were indicative of voltage‐sensitive and large‐conductance calcium‐activated K+ channels (BKCa). Isoproterenol and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate enhanced the activity of BKCa without affecting the other potassium currents. In conclusion, bovine retinal pericytes express mainly two outward potassium currents, KV and BKCa, as well as an inward rectifying K+ current, Kir. Physiologic stimuli such as an increase in extracellular potassium concentration or &bgr;‐adrenergic receptor stimulation enhance the activity of Kir and BKCa, respectively, suggesting a potential role for these channels in the control of retinal blood flow.
Exogenous melatonin administration modifies cutaneous vasoconstrictor response to whole body skin cooling in humans

Abstract: Humans and other diurnal species experience a fall in internal temperature (Tint) at night, accompanied by increased melatonin and altered thermoregulatory control of skin blood flow (SkBF). Also, exogenous melatonin induces a fall in Tint, an increase in distal skin temperatures and altered control of the cutaneous active vasodilator system, suggesting an effect of melatonin on the control of SkBF. To test whether exogenous melatonin also affects the more tonically active vasoconstrictor system in glabrous and nonglabrous skin during cooling, healthy males (n = 9) underwent afternoon sessions of whole body skin temperature (Tsk) cooling (water‐perfused suits) after oral melatonin (Mel; 3 mg) or placebo (Cont). Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated from SkBF (laser Doppler flowmetry) and non‐invasive blood pressure. Baseline Tint was lower in Mel than in Cont (P < 0.01). During progressive reduction of Tsk from 35°C to 32°C, forearm CVC was first significantly reduced at Tsk of 34.33 ± 0.01°C (P < 0.05) in Cont. In contrast, CVC in Mel was not significantly reduced until Tsk reached 33.33 ± 0.01°C (P < 0.01). The decrease in forearm CVC in Mel was significantly less than in Cont at Tsk of 32.66 ± 0.01°C and lower (P < 0.05). In Mel, palmar CVC was significantly higher than in Cont above Tsk of 33.33 ± 0.01°C, but not below. Thus exogenous melatonin blunts reflex vasoconstriction in nonglabrous skin and shifts vasoconstrictor system control to lower Tint. It provokes vasodilation in glabrous skin but does not suppress the sensitivity to falling Tsk. These findings suggest that by affecting the vasoconstrictor system, melatonin has a causal role in the nocturnal changes in body temperature and its control.
Molecular markers associated with lymph node metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by genome‐wide expression profiling

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most important prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we aimed to identify molecular markers associated with LNM in PDAC using genome‐wide expression profiling. In this study, laser microdissection and genome‐wide transcriptional profiling were used to identify genes that were differentially expressed between PDAC cells with and without LNM obtained from 20 patients with PDAC. Immunohistochemical staining was used to confirm the clinical significance of these markers in an additional validation set of 43 patients. In the results, microarray profiling identified 46 genes that were differently expressed between PDAC with and without LNM with certain significance. Four of these biomarkers were validated by immunohistochemical staining for association with LNM in PDAC in an additional validation set of patients. In 63 patients with PDAC, significant LNM predictors in PDAC elucidated from multivariate analysis were low expression of activating enhancer binding protein 2 (AP2α) (P = 0.012) and high expression of mucin 17 (MUC17) (P = 0.0192). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that AP2α‐low expression and MUC17‐high expression are independent prognostic factors for poor overall survival (P = 0.0012, 0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, AP2α and MUC17 were independent markers associated with LNM of PDAC. These two markers were also associated with survival in patients with resected PDAC. We demonstrate that AP2α and MUC17 may serve as potential prognostic molecular markers for LNM in patients with PDAC. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Population-based Case-Control Study

Background: Previous studies have shown that statin use may reduce prostate cancer risk. In the current study, we evaluated the association between serum cholesterol–lowering medication use and prostate cancer risk at the population level. Materials and Methods: All newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases in Finland during 1995 to 2002 and matched controls (24,723 case control pairs) were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry and the Population Register Center, respectively. Detailed information on cholesterol-lowering drug purchases during the study period was obtained from the prescription database of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, having ever-use of any statin was associated with marginally elevated overall prostate cancer risk [odds ratio (OR), 1.07; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.00-1.16]. However, none of the statins was associated with the overall prostate cancer risk when analyzed separately. On the other hand, the risk of advanced prostate cancer was decreased among users of atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-0.98; OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.85; and OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.61-1.01, respectively). The risk was not affected among users of other cholesterol drug groups. Conclusions: Our large population-based study showed no evidence for reduced overall prostate cancer risk among users of cholesterol-lowering drugs, whereas the risk of advanced cancer was decreased among statin users. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(11):2226–32)
KATP channels mediate late preconditioning against infarction produced by monophosphoryl lipid A.

The cardioprotective effect of myocardial preconditioning (PC) to reduce infarct size has been shown to last approximately 90 min (early PC), and then a second window of protection (SWOP or late PC) appears 24 h later. Although much work has been done to characterize early PC, little has been done to investigate potential mediators of SWOP. To that end, we have used monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA), a nontoxic endotoxin derivative, to produce SWOP and have examined the role of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in mediating its cardioprotection. Adult mongrel dogs were given MLA (3, 10, or 35 micrograms/kg i.v.) 24 h before a 60-min left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and 3 h of reperfusion. After reperfusion, the hearts were stained for myocardial infarction with triphenyltetrazolium. MLA produced a dose-dependent reduction in infarct size that was associated with an enhanced shortening of the monophasic action potential duration during early ischemia. To further examine the role of KATP channels, animals were treated with MLA (35 micrograms/kg) and 24 h later were administered either glibenclamide (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) or 5-hydroxydecanoate (7.5 mg/kg intracoronary over 20 min), two structurally distinct KATP-channel antagonists. Both glibenclamide and 5-hydroxydecanoate abolished the cardioprotection produced by MLA. These results demonstrate that the cardioprotective effect of late PC produced by MLA is dependent on functional KATP channels and is the first study to suggest that late PC may be the result of an increased KATP current during ischemia.
Anhedonia and Social Adaptation Predict Substance Abuse Evolution in Dual Diagnosis Schizophrenia

The current study sought to identify the variables, derived from the self-medication hypothesis, which predicted substance abuse evolution during a homogeneous 3-month antipsychotic treatment. Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance abuse (mainly cannabis and alcohol). Substance abuse, psychiatric symptoms, anhedonia, and social adjustment were assessed at baseline and study endpoint. Linear regression analyses were performed. Better social adaptation and worse anhedonia predicted substance abuse improvements. Conversely, greater psychoactive substance (PAS) use predicted endpoint positive and depressive symptoms. These results suggest that: (i) substance abuse interferes with psychiatric prognosis in schizophrenia; and (ii) dual diagnosis treatments leading patients to engage in alternative social activities may render substance abuse less appealing. Further studies are warranted to dissociate the causes and consequences of substance abuse in schizophrenia.
Megakaryocytic differentiation is accompanied by a reduction in cell migratory potential

Megakaryocytes (MKs) have been found in the peripheral circulation, suggesting that they can migrate out of the bone marrow. In order to evaluate if megakaryocytic differentiation confers a migratory phenotype, we investigated this property in the haematopoietic cell lines MO7e and UT‐7/mpl and in CD34+ progenitor cells before and after induction of differentiation by thrombopoietin (TPO). Migration was studied using a bicompartmental culture system in the presence or absence of a bone marrow endothelial cell monolayer. Preincubation with TPO led to a significant reduction in stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1)‐induced migration of MO7e cells (0·7% ± 0·08% for TPO‐treated vs. 2·6% ± 0·3% for controls P < 0·05). A similar decreased migratory response was seen with UT‐7/mpl cells (7·4% ± 0·4% for TPO‐treated vs. 11·1% ± 0·01% for controls, P < 0·05), although these cells did not migrate in response to SDF‐1. CD34+ cells partially differentiated with TPO showed decreased migration following further TPO‐induced maturation (13·9% ± 1·8% for TPO‐treated vs. 24·1% ± 1·8% for untreated, P < 0·05). This reduction was more pronounced in the large MK (≥ 4n) fraction. These results demonstrate that megakaryocytic differentiation is accompanied by a partial suppression of the haematopoietic cell migratory phenotype.
Sustained informal care: The feasibility, construct validity and test–retest reliability of the CarerQol-instrument to measure the impact of informal care in long-term care

Objectives: This study analyses feasibility, construct validity and test–retest reliability of the Care-related Quality of Life (CarerQol)-instrument among informal caregivers of long-term care (LTC) users. The CarerQol measures the impact of informal care by assessing happiness (CarerQol-VAS) and describing burden dimensions (CarerQol-7D). Methods: Data was gathered among informal caregivers of patients obtaining day care or living in a LTC facility in the Netherlands with two questionnaires sent with a two-week interval (n test = 108, n retest = 100). Percentages of missing values indicated feasibility of the CarerQol. Construct validity assessed the extent to which differences in background characteristics were reflected in happiness scores (CarerQol-VAS) with univariate and multivariate statistics. Additionally, construct validity was tested with assessing the correlation between the CarerQol and the Self-Rated Burden (SRB) scale. Percentages of complete agreement between CarerQol scores at test and retest, Cohen's kappa coefficients (κ value) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess reliability. Results: In this study, 3.7% was missing on the CarerQol. CarerQol-VAS was positively associated with caregivers’ age and health, and negatively with SRB score. The percentage of complete agreement of CarerQol-VAS between the measure moments was 60% and between 76% and 96% for CarerQol-7D. κ value and ICC of CarerQol-VAS were 0.52 and 0.86, and ranged between 0.55 and 0.94 for CarerQol-7D. Conclusion: The CarerQol measures the impact of informal care among carers of LTC users in a feasible, valid and reliable way.
Methyl Transfer in Glucosinolate Biosynthesis Mediated by Indole Glucosinolate O-Methyltransferase 51

Indole glucosinolate O-methyltransferase 5 catalyzes the methyl transfer reaction in the biosynthesis of Trp-derived glucosinolates that are modified at position 1 of the indole ring. Indole glucosinolates (IGs) are plant secondary metabolites that are derived from the amino acid tryptophan. The product of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) IG core biosynthesis, indol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolate (I3M), can be modified by hydroxylation and subsequent methoxylation of the indole ring in position 1 (1-IG modification) or 4 (4-IG modification). Products of the 4-IG modification pathway mediate plant-enemy interactions and are particularly important for Arabidopsis innate immunity. While CYP81Fs encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and IGMTs encoding indole glucosinolate O-methyltransferases have been identified as key genes for IG modification, our knowledge about the IG modification pathways is not complete. In particular, it is unknown which enzyme is responsible for methyl transfer in the 1-IG modification pathway and whether this pathway plays a role in defense, similar to 4-IG modification. Here, we analyze two Arabidopsis transfer DNA insertion lines with targeted metabolomics. We show that biosynthesis of 1-methoxyindol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolate (1MOI3M) from I3M involves the predicted unstable intermediate 1-hydroxyindol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolate (1OHI3M) and that IGMT5, a gene with moderate similarity to previously characterized IGMTs, encodes the methyltransferase that is responsible for the conversion of 1OHI3M to 1MOI3M. Disruption of IGMT5 function increases resistance against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and suggests a potential role for the 1-IG modification pathway in Arabidopsis belowground defense.
Effect of Individualism on Online User Ratings: Theory and Evidence

Abstract This research examines the effect of individualism on online user ratings. We develop a theory based on expectation disconfirmation theory and prospect theory, and posit that user review ratings by consumers from individualistic cultures (e.g., America), as compared to collectivistic cultures (e.g., China), are likely to be lower, and the effect is moderated by customer-based brand equity and experience of premium product variants (e.g., business class travel). We test our hypotheses on a data set gathered from online user reviews by customers from 166 countries for airlines across the world and find support. In addition, customer-based brand equity and experience of premium product variants have positive direct effects on user rating valence. We also test our hypotheses on recommendation intent of users and control for fixed effects and find support. Managerial implications and future research avenues are discussed.
Comparison of the generic and condition-specific forms of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) Index.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare generic and condition-specific forms of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) in terms of their ability to discriminate between adolescents with and without normative need for orthodontic treatment. METHODS A total of 1,060 15- to 16-year-old adolescents without history of previous or current orthodontic treatment were randomly selected from all secondary schools in Bauru, Brazil. Adolescents were clinically examined by using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Normative need for orthodontic treatment was defined by using three different suggested cutoff values on DAI score; 28, 31, and 36 points. Two different estimates (overall score and prevalence of oral impacts) were calculated by using the generic and the condition-specific OIDP (CS-OIDP) attributed to malocclusion. Discriminative ability was assessed, comparing both estimates between groups. Effect size and adjusted odds ratios were used to interpret the magnitude and meaning of differences. RESULTS The overall score and prevalence of oral impacts on quality of life in the last 6 months were significantly lower for the CS-OIDP attributed to malocclusion than for the generic OIDP (P < 0.001 in both cases). However, effect sizes and adjusted odds ratios were always larger for the CS-OIDP attributed to malocclusion than for the generic OIDP. CONCLUSIONS Although generic and condition-specific OIDP forms were able to discriminate adolescents with normative need for orthodontic treatment from those without such a need, CS-OIDP attributed to malocclusion had better ability to distinguish between groups. Further studies are needed to compare discriminative ability of both OIDP forms between groups with different levels of other oral conditions.
Factors affecting household access to water supply in residential areas in parts of Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract Access to water is vital for sustainable human socio-economic development. The study examined factors affecting households’ access to water supply in three residential areas in parts of Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. A random sampling technique was employed to administer questionnaires to 200 households. The study area was delineated into residential types using the grid method. The result shows the dominance of improved water sources in the high/medium-income residential areas. Households in the medium-income area recorded the highest access in terms of distance to, and safety of water supply. The factor analysis explains 77.41% of the variance with three components, namely: water access, demographic and economic attributes. The results of the analysis of variance reveal three significant variables, namely: main water source, income and cost, which is significant at p<0.01. The regression equation model obtained is given as Y = 2.059 + 0.307MWS + 0.286INM + 0.164CST. The study concluded that main water source, income and cost are the factors affecting access to water supply in the study area. The study recommends investment in water infrastructure, giving a higher priority to low-income residential areas for improved healthy living and sustainable socio-economic development.
A comparison of booster seat use in Canadian provinces with and without legislation

Background: The use of booster seats continues to be low, despite their effectiveness in reducing injury in motor vehicle collisions. Many jurisdictions have introduced legislation requiring the use of booster seats. To date, there have been no Canadian studies evaluating the effectiveness of legislation on booster seat use. Objectives: To describe restraint use among Canadian children aged 4–8 years, and compare booster seat use between provinces/territories with and without legislation. Methods: The data were obtained from a National Survey of Child Restraint Use/Misuse conducted between June and August 2006. A roadside observation survey was conducted at 182 sites across Canada. Weighted statistical analyses of differences in proportions were conducted, accounting for sampling stratification and clustering by car effects. Results: The roadside survey estimated that 24.6% of children aged 4–8 were restrained in booster seats in provinces with legislation, compared with 16.6% in provinces without (p<0.001). Conclusion: This is the first Canadian national study using direct observation to determine the effect of legislation on booster seat use. Provinces with legislation had higher booster seat use, but overall rates were still disappointingly low. Ongoing surveillance of child safety seat use and evaluation of effective adjuncts to legislation is required in order to see collision-related child deaths and injuries drop in the future.