Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptors Modulate Proliferation and Angiogenesis in Human Endometrial Carcinoma

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR) are implicated in the development of several obesity-related cancers. Little is known of either the expression or function of PPARs and RXRs in endometrial cancer although this increasingly common disease is highly associated with both obesity and insulin resistance. We investigated the expression of PPAR and RXR subtypes in human endometrial cancers and normal endometrium with immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry and subsequently showed PPAR/RXR binding preferences by coimmunoprecipitation. To determine the functions of PPARs within the endometrium, we investigated proliferation, apoptosis, PTEN expression, and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometrial cell lines after reducing the expression of PPARα and PPARγ with antisense RNA. The functional effects of PPAR ligands were also investigated in vitro. We identified differential expression of PPAR and RXR subtypes in endometrial cancers and discovered that PPARγ expression correlated with expression of PTEN. PPARα activation influences endometrial cell growth and VEGF secretion. PPARγ activation reduces proliferation of endometrial cells via regulation of PTEN and appears to reduce VEGF secretion. We conclude that the PPAR/RXR pathway contribute to endometrial carcinogenesis by control of PTEN expression and modulation of VEGF secretion. We propose that PPAR ligands should be considered for clinical investigation in early phase studies of women with endometrial cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 10(3); 441–53. ©2011 AACR.
Back to work? Socioeconomic status after kidney transplantation.

PRINCIPLES Employment after kidney transplantation is an important marker of health recovery. The study addresses the impact of successful kidney transplantation on socioeconomic factors and employment in a Swiss cohort. METHODS Patients who received a kidney allograft at the University Hospital of Basel between 2000 and 2011 were investigated. A standardised survey was used to obtain information on socioeconomic factors 1 year before and after successful transplantation. RESULTS A total of 610 patients were contacted; 354 (58%) answered the survey. The median age of respondents was 53.5 (interquartile range 42-61) years at the time of transplantation, 31.2% were females. Overall, 201 out of 282 working-age patients (71.3%) were working 1 year after transplantation: 102 full-time, 55 part-time, 30 patients part-time with additional disability pension, and 14 housework. Seventy-two patients (25.3%) did not work 1 year after transplantation: 63 patients had a full or partial disability pension, and nine patients were unemployed. Thirty out of 282 working-age patients (10.6%) had improved working ability after transplantation. Employment after transplantation was favoured by: living donor transplantation (p <0.0001), pre-emptive transplantation (p <0.0001), dialysis duration ≤1 year (p <0.0001), preserved employment before transplantation (p <0.0001), and higher education (p = 0.003), whereas age above 50 years (p = 0.006), and dialysis duration > 1 year (p <0.0001) had a negative impact. CONCLUSION The employment rate in this Swiss cohort before and after successful kidney transplantation is high compared with the literature. A high number of living donors, of pre-emptive transplantations, and short dialysis vintages contribute to this observation.
College football, elections, and false-positive results in observational research

Significance We reassess the surprising finding that college football games influence incumbent support in subsequent elections. Because independent replication is impossible for such nonexperimental findings, we proceed by testing multiple independent hypotheses that should hold if college football games indeed influence elections. In each case, the evidence suggests that the original finding was a false positive. For example, if college football games indeed influence elections, this effect should be greatest in places where the public is most interested in college football. However, we find the opposite. We conclude with general recommendations for evaluating surprising research findings and avoiding similar false-positive results—particularly for nonexperimental work in the social sciences where independent replication is impossible. A recent, widely cited study [Healy AJ, Malhotra N, Mo CH (2010) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107(29):12804–12809] finds that college football games influence voting behavior. Victories within 2 weeks of an election reportedly increase the success of the incumbent party in presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial elections in the home county of the team. We reassess the evidence and conclude that there is likely no such effect, despite the fact that Healy et al. followed the best practices in social science and used a credible research design. Multiple independent sources of evidence suggest that the original finding was spurious—reflecting bad luck for researchers rather than a shortcoming of American voters. We fail to estimate the same effect when we leverage situations where multiple elections with differing incumbent parties occur in the same county and year. We also find that the purported effect of college football games is stronger in counties where people are less interested in college football, just as strong when the incumbent candidate does not run for reelection, and just as strong in other parts of the state outside the home county of the team. Lastly, we detect no effect of National Football League games on elections, despite their greater popularity. We conclude with recommendations for evaluating surprising research findings and avoiding similar false-positive results.
Receiving beam patterns and directivity indices of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus.

The receiving beam patterns of an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin was measured in both the vertical and horizontal planes for frequencies of 30, 60, and 120 kHz. Measurements in the vertical plane were performed by training the dolphin to rotate on its side and station on a vertically oriented biteplate device. A signal source was positioned 3.5 m directly in front of the animal on an arc while the position of a broadband noise source was varied in azimuth along the arc, with the animal stationed at the origin of the arc. Using a go/no-go response procedure, the masked threshold of the dolphin was determined by varying the intensity of the noise source via a tracking method of stimulus presentation, for different azimuth's of the noise source. Measurements in the horizontal plane were obtained with the dolphin stationing on a horizontal biteplate. Two masking noise sources, projecting equal levels of uncorrelated noise, were located at +/- 20 degrees on either side of the arc midpoint. The levels of the noise source were held constant and the masked thresholds determined by varying the level of the signal source while positioned at different azimuths along the arc. Results indicated that maximum sensitivity in the vertical plane (the major axis of the beam) occurred between 5 degrees and 10 degrees above the midline of the animal's mouth and that the beam patterns were not symmetrical about the major axis. The sensitivity dropped off more quickly with increasing angle above the head than below. The beam patterns in the horizontal plane were directed forward and were fairly symmetrical about the midline of the animal's body. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Modulation of PAR1 signalling by benzimidazole compounds

Recently, a small molecule (Q94) was reported to selectively block PAR1/Gαq interaction and signalling. Here, we describe the pharmacological properties of Q94 and two analogues that share its benzimidazole scaffold (Q109, Q89). Q109 presents a modest variation from Q94 in the substituent group at the 2‐position, while Q89 has quite different groups at the 1‐ and 2‐positions.
Venous thrombosis and cancer: from mouse models to clinical trials

Cancer patients have a ~4 fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with the general population and this is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes our current knowledge of VTE and cancer, from mouse models to clinical studies. Notably, the risk of VTE varies depending on the type and stage of cancer. For instance, pancreatic and brain cancer patients have a higher risk of VTE than breast and prostate cancer patients. Moreover, patients with metastatic disease have a higher risk than those with localized tumors. Tumor‐derived procoagulant factors and growth factors may directly and indirectly enhance VTE. For example, increased levels of circulating tumor‐derived, tissue factor‐positive microvesicles may trigger VTE. In a mouse model of ovarian cancer, tumor‐derived IL‐6 and hepatic thrombopoietin have been linked to increased platelet production and thrombosis. In addition, mouse models of mammary and lung cancer showed that tumor‐derived granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor causes neutrophilia and activation of neutrophils. Activated neutrophils can release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that enhance thrombosis. Cell‐free DNA in the blood derived from cancer cells, NETs and treatment with cytotoxic drugs can activate the clotting cascade. These studies suggest that there are multiple mechanisms for VTE in patients with different types of cancer. Preventing and treating VTE in cancer patients is challenging; the current recommendations are to use low‐molecular‐weight heparin. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may allow the development of new therapies to safely prevent VTE in cancer patients.
Computerized Provider Order Entry Implementation: No Association With Increased Mortality Rates in an Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to determine if there were any changes in risk-adjusted mortality after the implementation of a computerized provider order entry system in our PICU. METHODS. Study was undertaken in a tertiary care PICU with 20 beds and 1100 annual admissions. Demographic, admission source, primary diagnosis, crude mortality, and Pediatric Risk of Mortality III risk-adjusted mortality were abstracted retrospectively on all admissions from the PICUEs database for the period October 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004. This time period reflects the 13 months before and 13 months after computerized provider order entry implementation. Pediatric Risk of Mortality III mortality risk adjustment was used to determine standardized mortality ratios. RESULTS. During the study period, 2533 patients were admitted to the PICU, of which 284 were transported from another facility. The 13-month preimplementation mortality rate was 4.22%, and the 13-month postimplementation mortality rate was 3.46%, representing a nonsignificant reduction in the risk of mortality in the postimplementation period. The standardized mortality ratio was 0.98 vs 0.77, respectively, and the mortality rate for the transported patients was 9.6% vs 6.29%. This yields a nonsignificant mortality risk reduction in the postimplementation period. The standardized mortality ratio was 1.10 preimplementation versus 0.70 postimplementation. Analysis of the 13-month preimplementation versus 5-month postimplementation periods showed a non–statistically significant trend in reduction of mortality for all PICU patients and for transported patients. CONCLUSIONS. Implementation of a computerized provider order entry system, even in the early months after implementation, was not associated with an increase in mortality. Our experience suggests that careful design, build, implementation, and support can mitigate the risk of implementing new technology even in an ICU setting.
Demographic factors and economic growth: The bi-directional causality in South East Asia

This study has demonstrated new evidence sustaining the idea that variation in demographic factors is an important determinant of growth in per capita income. Using an panel dataset from 1990 to 2013 at the country-level in the Southeast Asia, this study is conducted to analyze the following two key areas. First, the prevalent of a number of the demographic factors impact on the economic growth. Second, the bi-directional causality is revealed among: (i) the population growth and the economic growth; and (ii) the life expectancy and the economic growth. Furthermore, the two new econometric techniques, Driscoll and Kraay estimation, and structural equation model are applied. Finding from this study manifests the substantial effects on the economic growth from: the positive effect of population growth, the significant boost of the life expectancy, and the pressure of dependent population. In addition, it is a worth noting in its kind of literature due to the confirmation of the significant inverse effects of the economic growth on the two demographic factors.
Physiological responses of men and women to humid and dry heat.

Abstract : The major objective of this study was to determine whether sex-related differences in thermoregulation exist; and if so, whether there was any method to define these differences. A major methodological problem of the study was the inability to find groups of males and females matched in all their physical characteristics, namely: body weight, skin surface area, percentage of body fat and cardiorespiratory physical fitness. This problem was partially solved by dividing each sex into two subgroups and matching the subgroups as 'small' males vs. 'big' females, or more fit females vs. less fit males. The sex-related differences concluded from this investigation are summarized in Table 4. In comfortable climatic conditions (20 C, 40% rh) men and women reacted in a physiologically similar fashion. Under wet conditions, whether mild or hot, females tolerated the heat better than males. They displayed lower deep body and skin temperatures, and therefore lower heat storage, while demonstrating lower sweat rates and subsequently less dehydration than males. In contrast, under hot-dry conditions, males seemed to be at a physiological advantage. Compared to females, they showed lower deep body and skin temperatures, lower HR, lower heat storage, and similar sweat rates. (Author)
An Empirical Analysis of Cambodia's Import Demand Function

This empirical study examines an import demand function for Cambodia by employing time series data during 1993-2015. This study uses Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to investigate the impact of relative prices, foreign direct investment, final consumption expenditure, export volume, exchange rate and foreign exchange reserve on import demand in Cambodia for both long run and short run. The study finds that relative prices and exchange rate are negative effect on import demand in Cambodia for both long and short run, while export volume is positively effect on import demand. While, foreign direct investment, final consumption expenditure, and foreign exchange reserve are insignificant impact on import demand in Cambodia. The finding suggests that the Cambodian government should monitor domestic price.
The evolution of European traded gas hubs

This paper by Patrick Heather is the third he has written on the development of European traded gas hubs. It is the culmination of extensive field research interviewing a range of market participants from regulators, TSOs, traders and government officials – from Spain to the Baltics, from Britain to the Balkans and many points in between. In addition to comparing national aspirations with EC goals and deadlines he has noted not just the infrastructure projects required to create the connectivity for traded market development, but equally importantly the political will, cultural acceptance of traded markets and the commercial appetite. Clearly to achieve the vision of the Gas Target Model there is certainly ‘much left to do’. In terms of assessing the stage of development of the various hubs, Patrick presents not only an update of his own quantitative and subjective measures but also incorporates the work of other relevant surveys and academic analyses. Based on this substantial synthesis, the results, both intuitively and analytically compelling, highlight the limited progress made by other hubs in ‘catching up with’ the Dutch and British hubs.
A Comparison of Methods for the Measurement of Hemodialysis Access Recirculation An Update

The Crit-Line Model III (CRIT) was compared with the Transonics Hemodialysis Monitor (TRANS) with regard to its ability to measure access recirculation (AR). Patients were studied during routine dialysis before and after dialysis line reversal done to induce AR. A strong correlation between CRIT and TRANS AR measurements was obtained (r = 0.95; p = 0.000; n = 58) and CRIT values were repeatable (normalized SD from mean 7.82%). The CRIT values were not identical to TRANS; at low AR values (< 20%) they overestimated, and at higher values they underestimated. Provided this is appreciated, CRIT AR values are clinically useful. ASAIO Journal 1998; 44:191–193.
Are Twins Growth Restricted?

It is now well established that IUGR is associated with an increased risk of a range of adult onset diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Infants from twin pregnancies are generally born smaller than singletons; therefore, it has been suggested that twins represent a naturally occurring model of IUGR. Although twin gestations contribute significantly to the population burden of preterm birth and small size at birth, whether twins have the same long-term health consequences as IUGR singletons remains unclear. The purpose of this review is to consider what is currently known about the clinical implications of twinning, the differences that exist between the growth and developmental profiles of singleton and twin fetuses, and to use this as a basis for exploring the question of whether fetuses conceived as twins are analogous to IUGR singletons of similar birthweight and gestation. This question is increasingly important in both the clinical and research settings, because the incidence of twinning is increasing and the long-term implications of reduced size at birth are mostly investigated in species which bear multiple offspring.
Stability of hepatitis C virus RNA in serum from samples collected in a closed‐tube system for serum separation and transport, as measured by a quantitative competitive PCR assay

SUMMARY. Recovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, after variable time intervals from collection, was assessed using a closed‐tube system for collection, separation and transport (SST(tm) tubes). Blood from four hepatitis C‐infected patients was collected in 12 SST(tm) tubes and centrifuged within 1 to 3 h of collection. Tubes were then left 0, 8, 12, 24. 48 and 72 h at room temperature and at 4°C before removing serum. Hepatitis C virus RNA levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR(tm) assay. Hepatitis C virus RNA levels in these samples were stable for at least three days at both temperatures. Polymerase chain reaction signals never decreased by more than 0.5 log. The reproducibility of the assays showed that the quantitative PCR method can be used with the storage conditions tested here. Our data suggests that processing blood in SST(tm) tubes may be very useful in following hepatitis C virus RNA titres in infected patients, especially those receiving treatment.
INHIBITOR OF THE FACTOR VIIA-TISSUE FACTOR COMPLEX IS REDUCED IN PATIENTS WITH DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION BUT NOT IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE HEPATOCELLULAR DISEASE

Recently, inhibition of factor VIIa-tissue factor activity by a plasma component(s) which requires factor Xa has been described. In this communication, we have developed a specific radiometric assay (which utilizes 3H-factor IX and is sensitive to <1% of plasma level) for this inhibitor and have measured its activity in various disease states. Strikingly, the levels of this inhibitor were found to be normal in patients with advanced chronic hepatocellular disease but low in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). When endotoxin was used to induce DIC in rabbits, the levels of this inhibitor fell by 30 to 90%. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVE), bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells, and a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) all synthesized and secreted this inhibitor whereas a promyelocytic cell line (HL-60) did not and a monocytic cell line (U937) appears to synthesize only small amounts. When ammonium sulfate fractionated human plasma, and serum-free conditioned media from both HUVE and HepG2 cells were electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gels, two activity peaks corresponding to Mr ≃45,000 and Mr =33,000 were eluted in each case. These observations suggest that (a) the inhibitor is consumed in DIC and that (b) endothelial cells (or other cells) synthesize sufficient amounts of this inhibitor in vivo to compensate for any decreased production by liver cells. Furthermore, the inhibitor levels were found to be normal in patients on chronic warfarin therapy suggesting that the inhibitor is not a vitamin K-dependent protein.
What price peace? A comprehensive approach to the specification and estimation of hedonic housing price models

Previous work on hedonic price functions tends to have focused on one of a number of specification and estimation issues; namely, market segmentation, choice of functional form, multicollinearity or spatial autocorrelation. The purpose of this paper is to bring together these various strands to provide a comprehensive modelling approach. In particular we use a combination of factor analysis and cluster analysis to define market segments and reduce collinearity in the data. We adopt Robinson's semiparametric specification of the hedonic price function and account for spatial autocorrelation using Kelejian and Prucha's generalized moments estimator. The modelling approach is applied to a large and extremely detailed dataset for the City of Birmingham constructed from multiple data sources and compiled with the use of GIS. The focus of this application is the identification of implicit prices for noise pollution from road, rail and air traffic sources.
Post-ERCP Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients

Objectives: Pancreatitis is a known complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Our aim was to assess the prevalence and severity of ERCP-associated pancreatitis using established criteria. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of patients younger than 18 years undergoing ERCP complicated by post-ERCP pancreatitis defined by the 1991 consensus statement. Patients with chronic pancreatitis were studied separately using modified criteria. Risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis were analyzed. Results: Three hundred forty-three ERCPs were performed in 224 patients. Two hundred seventy-six ERCPs were performed in patients without chronic pancreatitis, 7 of which were complicated by post-ERCP pancreatitis (prevalence 2.5%). Patients undergoing diagnostic-only ERCP were less likely to develop post-ERCP pancreatitis (P < 0.01). Sixty-seven procedures were performed on patients with chronic pancreatitis; 10 developed postprocedure pain requiring or prolonging hospitalization (prevalence 14.9%). Pancreatic duct stenting was a risk factor for post-ERCP pain in this subset of patients (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The prevalence of post-ERCP pancreatitis is low—2.5% excluding patients with chronic pancreatitis and 4.96% overall. Therapeutic procedures and the presence of chronic pancreatitis are risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis.