Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Processing of snoRNAs as a new source of regulatory non‐coding RNAs

Recent experimental evidence suggests that most of the genome is transcribed into non‐coding RNAs. The initial transcripts undergo further processing generating shorter, metabolically stable RNAs with diverse functions. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are non‐coding RNAs that modify rRNAs, tRNAs, and snRNAs that were considered stable. We review evidence that snoRNAs undergo further processing. High‐throughput sequencing and RNase protection experiments showed widespread expression of snoRNA fragments, known as snoRNA‐derived RNAs (sdRNAs). Some sdRNAs resemble miRNAs, these can associate with argonaute proteins and influence translation. Other sdRNAs are longer, form complexes with hnRNPs and influence gene expression. C/D box snoRNA fragmentation patterns are conserved across multiple cell types, suggesting a processing event, rather than degradation. The loss of expression from genetic loci that generate canonical snoRNAs and processed snoRNAs results in diseases, such as Prader‐Willi Syndrome, indicating possible physiological roles for processed snoRNAs. We propose that processed snoRNAs acquire new roles in gene expression and represent a new class of regulatory RNAs distinct from canonical snoRNAs.
Increase in normal placental weights related to increase in maternal body mass index

Objective. Reference values of normal placental weights are many decades old. Recently, a trend of increasing weights of normal placentas has been noted. We aimed to confirm this observation and to find any associated fetal and maternal factors. Methods. Information on all live singleton deliveries that met our inclusion criteria was collected for the years 1995 and 2004 at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. This information was compared to the standards set forth in the older references. The Student's t-test and correlation-regression statistics were applied. Results. The mean weight of the mature, term (37–42 weeks of gestation) placenta has increased significantly from 1995 to 2004 (499 g to 537 g, p = 0.02), as well as from the older standards (27% increase at 40 weeks of gestation). There has also been a significant increase in the maternal body mass index (BMI) from 1995 to 2004 (25.2 to 26.5, p = 0.02), which correlates with maternal weight gain during pregnancy, and fetal and placental weights. Conclusions. Normal placental weights have increased over the last decades and this may correlate with increasing maternal obesity. Further studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these findings.
Colon and Rectal Cancer Survival by Tumor Location and Microsatellite Instability: The Colon Cancer Family Registry

BACKGROUND: Cancers in the proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum are frequently studied together; however, there are biological differences in cancers across these sites, particularly in the prevalence of microsatellite instability. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the differences in survival by colon or rectal cancer site, considering the contribution of microsatellite instability to such differences. DESIGN: This is a population-based prospective cohort study for cancer survival. SETTINGS: This study was conducted within the Colon Cancer Family Registry, an international consortium. Participants were identified from population-based cancer registries in the United States, Canada, and Australia. PATIENTS: Information on tumor site, microsatellite instability, and survival after diagnosis was available for 3284 men and women diagnosed with incident invasive colon or rectal cancer between 1997 and 2002, with ages at diagnosis ranging from 18 to 74. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for the association between all-cause mortality and tumor location, overall and by microsatellite instability status. RESULTS: Distal colon (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.49–0.71) and rectal cancers (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57–0.81) were associated with lower mortality than proximal colon cancer overall. Compared specifically with patients with proximal colon cancer exhibiting no/low microsatellite instability, patients with distal colon and rectal cancers experienced lower mortality, regardless of microsatellite instability status; patients with proximal colon cancer exhibiting high microsatellite instability had the lowest mortality. LIMITATIONS: Study limitations include the absence of stage at diagnosis and cause-of-death information for all but a subset of study participants. Some patient groups defined jointly by tumor site and microsatellite instability status are subject to small numbers. CONCLUSION: Proximal colon cancer survival differs from survival for distal colon and rectal cancer in a manner apparently dependent on microsatellite instability status. These findings support the premise that proximal colon, distal colon, and rectal cancers are clinicopathologically distinct.
Gingival crevicular fluid and interleukin-23 concentration in systemically healthy subjects: their relationship in periodontal health and disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE There is a substantial magnitude of data implicating the role of interleukin-23 (IL-23) in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of IL-23 in the gingival crevicular fluid of systemically healthy subjects in periodontal health and disease. In addition, we explored the effectiveness of periodontal interventional therapy on the levels of IL-23 in subjects with chronic periodontitis to obtain a deeper insight into the possible role of IL-23 in three separate periodontal conditions in three different populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, 54 individuals, satisfying the study inclusion and exclusion criteria, were recruited. They were categorically divided, on the basis of gingival index, probing pocket depth and relative attachment loss, into three groups: Group 1 (patients with a clinically healthy periodontium, n = 18); Group 2 (patients with gingivitis, n = 18); and Group 3a (patients with chronic periodontitis, n = 18). Samples taken from all 18 subjects of Group 3a, 3 mo after the initial therapy, constituted Group 3b. All clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and 3 mo after scaling and root planing. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were obtained in which the IL-23 concentration was measured using ELISA. RESULTS The highest mean IL-23 concentration in gingival crevicular fluid was found for Group 3a (16448.69 pg/mL) and the lowest for Group 1 (2565.28 pg/mL). The mean IL-23 concentrations in Group 2 (5425 pg/mL) and Group 3b (6272.22 pg/mL) lay between the maximum and minimum values. This implies a positive correlation between the gingival crevicular fluid IL-23 concentration and relative attachment loss (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION A noteworthy increase in the gingival crevicular fluid IL-23 concentration was seen that was proportional to the amount of periodontal tissue damage. As the IL-23 concentration in gingival crevicular fluid is directly proportional to the severity of the periodontal affliction, it can be speculated that IL-23 has a possible role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
Burden of Diabetes on the Ability to Work

Type 2 diabetes is an increasingly common disease (1) that places a considerable economic burden on society. An estimated 171 million people were suffering from diabetes in 2000, and this number could total 366 million by 2030 (1). Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of all diabetes cases, and it often appears in middle age (2). In 2010, the prevalence of diabetes in the U.S. was 11.3 and 26.9% among individuals aged 20 years or over and 65 years or older (2), respectively. In 2007, costs related to diabetes in the U.S. were an estimated $174 billion; $116 billion in direct costs and $58 billion in indirect costs (3). Direct costs include the cost of personal expenditures, drugs, and health care services, whereas indirect costs include lost productivity at work. Lost productivity at work may be measured through absenteeism (time lost from work due to illness), presenteeism (time at work impaired due to illness), productivity (time lost from work due to illness plus time at work impaired due to illness), or early retirement (retirement before the official retirement age due to illness). Lost productivity at work is an important concern for employees, employers, and society. Moreover, the complications related to diabetes are a major cause of disability, reduced quality of life, and death (4). Employees with diabetes may stop working prematurely (5–8) and may experience unemployment (7,9–12), which could translate into a reduction in earned income and savings (13) and loss of self-esteem (14). For employers too, lost productivity due to absenteeism (6,8,13,15–23), presenteeism (17), and early retirement (5–7) is an important economic issue. To the best of our knowledge, there are no published systematic reviews answering the following question: Do individuals …
Control Strategies for Accurate Force Generation and Relaxation

Characteristics and motor strategies for force generation and force relaxation were examined using graded tasks during isometric force control. Ten female college students (M age = 20.2 yr., SD = 1.1) were instructed to accurately control the force of isometric elbow flexion using their right arm to match a target force level as quickly as possible. They performed: (1) a generation task, wherein they increased their force from 0% maximum voluntary force to 20% maximum voluntary force (0%–20%), 40% maximum voluntary force (0%–40%), or 60% maximum voluntary force (0%–60%) and (2) and a relaxation task, in which they decreased their force from 60% maximum voluntary force to 40% maximum voluntary force (60%–40%), 20% maximum voluntary force (60%–20%), or to 0% maximum voluntary force (60%–0%). Produced force parameters of point of accuracy (force level, error), quickness (reaction time, adjustment time, rate of force development), and strategy (force wave, rate of force development) were analyzed. Errors of force relaxation were all greater, and reaction times shorter, than those of force generation. Adjustment time depended on the magnitude of force and peak rates of force development and force relaxation differed. Controlled relaxation of force is more difficult with low magnitude of force control.
Zonisamide Versus Topiramate in Migraine Prophylaxis: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug that has been approved for migraine prophylaxis. Despite appropriate efficacy for migraine prophylaxis, some patients cannot tolerate its adverse effects. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of zonisamide, another antiepileptic drug, with topiramate in decreasing the frequency and severity of migraine attacks to determine whether it could be used as an alternative for noncompliant patients to topiramate. Methods:Eighty patients, recruited from referred migraineurs to our neurology clinic, who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were allocated randomly to group A (50-mg/d zonisamide, gradually titrated up to 200 mg/d) and group B (25-mg/d topiramate, gradually titrated up to 100 mg/d). Each patient was followed for 12 weeks and was assessed at entrance, in the fourth week and twelfth week for frequency of attacks, headache severity, need for acute medication, migraine disability assessment score, and adverse effects. A P < 0.05 was considered as the level of significant difference in all tests. Results:Both drugs caused a significant decrease in frequency, severity, need for acute medication in migraine attacks, and migraine disability assessment score (P < 0.05). Except headache severity that was reduced significantly better by zonisamide (P < 0.008), there were no significant difference between the 2 groups in other items. Except for 2 cases of intolerable paresthesia, both drugs were tolerated well during the study. Conclusion:Our results indicated that zonisamide is as effective as topiramate in migraine prophylaxis and can be considered as an alternative treatment when topiramate is not tolerated well.
Optimum Profit Model between Producer and Purchaser by Considering Quality Investment

In 2007, Chen and Liu's (2007) model presented the optimum profit model between the producer and the purchaser for the supply chain system. However, their model with simple manufacturing cost did not consider the used cost of customers in their pure and mixed procurement policies. Hence, the modified Chen and Liu's model should be addressed for determining the optimum product and process parameters. In this study, the authors propose a modified Chen and Liu's model with economic selection of quality improvement. Both mean and standard deviation of process are assumed as a declining exponential function of the quality investment. Taguchi's symmetric quadratic quality loss function will be applied in evaluating the product quality. The optimum purchaser's order quantity, producer's wholesale price, improved process mean, improved process standard deviation and quality improvement will be jointly determined by maximizing the expected total profit between the producer and the purchaser.
How customers' offline experience affects the adoption of online banking

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of customers’ offline transaction behaviour in the form of loyalty and cross-buying on the adoption of self-service technology innovations by non-business customers in the context of online banking. Design/methodology/approach This study extends the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, as well as the Technology Acceptance Model adapted to describe and model individual customer observed behaviours in the pre-adoption stage of the adoption process. The Log-logistic parametric survival model is applied using panel data for 1,357 randomly selected new customers from a bank. Findings Significant differences arise among customers’ behaviours related to periodicity of interactions with the bank and quantity of products involved in the interactions, as well as convenience and risk of the interactions. The results corroborate that those customers who are more likely to adopt the online banking faster show an offline behavioural pattern more related to higher periodicity of interactions and convenience, rather than a high number of products involved in their interactions, the use of high-risk products or the maintenance of a higher average monthly liabilities. Originality/value While previous research explaining the process of adoption of the online channel has mainly focused on the analysis of customers’ attitudes (i.e. customers’ perceptions) and demographics, in this research an additional explanation is proposed using customers’ offline transaction behaviours. In addition, there is a considerable amount of research about the adoption of new technologies, but there is a scarcity of studies looking specifically at the financial services and banking industry.
Molecular diagnostics of Rickettsia africae infection in travelers returning from South Africa to The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND African tick-bite fever (ATBF) is frequently diagnosed in The Netherlands in travelers returning from South Africa. It is caused by Rickettsia africae and diagnosis is based on travel history and clinical presentation and usually confirmed by detecting serum antibodies against rickettsiae of the spotted fever group. However, these typically occur late in the course of the disease, and a mild clinical course or early antibiotic treatment can diminish antibody production. METHODS AND RESULTS Four travelers presented with (sub)febrile temperatures and eschar(s), several days after returning from South Africa. R. africae DNA was amplified and sequenced from skin biopsies of the eschars of all patients. Initial immunofluorescence assays yielded no immunoglobulin M (IgM)/IgG antibodies directed against spotted fever group rickettsiae; however, serology in the convalescent phase-several weeks after the patients had fully recovered-was positive. CONCLUSIONS ATBF should be considered in travelers returning from South Africa to The Netherlands with febrile illness and (multiple) skin lesions. The diagnosis can be confirmed by (paired) serology; however, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing on skin biopsies could be a (faster and more accurate) confirmatory test. Advantages of molecular methods over serology are species identification and high sensitivity early in the course of the disease.
Examining digital innovation in K-12 schools: Variances related to identified school typologies

The challenges facing the United States in educating its youth have been widely documented. The dropout rate in the past decades has been staggering, with students of color and in lower socio-economic circumstances posting an even higher rate. However, educators are now beginning to embrace the promise of ubiquitous digital technologies in the classroom. This study examines the practice of adopting mobile devices in K-12 environments in a geographic region of the Midwestern United States. Typologies of the participating school districts (N=96) are used to drill down to patterns of mobile technology integration, online/blended learning opportunities and other digital innovation strategies to compare the educational environments of rural/suburban/urban districts. The findings suggest that active learning environments, addressing personalized needs and providing evidence of student competencies, may be accomplished effectively by integrating mobile technologies more prominently in K-12 classrooms.
Optimal transition to clean technologies

This dissertation investigates the economic mechanisms underlying the transition to clean technologies and examines policy approaches to achieve the socially optimal path. It studies various policy measures aiming to deal with climate change, such as adaptation and taxation of non-renewable resources. Furthermore, it examines the policy instruments that target increasing the use of efficient technologies and identifies cases in which the policy reaches its objectives or not. It also analyzes the role of heterogeneity in society on agents' willingness to support a pollution tax. The first chapter studies the energy transition by using an optimal growth model in which non-renewable and renewable natural resources are imperfect substitutes in providing energy services necessary for production. The second chapter studies the role of adaptation policy on the transition to a low­ carbon economy. lt incorporates adaptation policy into the problem of optimal non-renewable resource extraction with pollution externalities, by focusing on the capital nature of adaptation measures. The third chapter focuses on the problem of adopting new technologies in a micro-economic framework. lt studies the behavior of firms when they face a decision to invest either in a cheap but inefficient production capacity or in an expensive but efficient one, by taking into account the presence of a financial constraint. The fourth and last chapter investigates the distributional impacts of a pollution tax by considering a society in which wealth is distributed heterogeneously among households.
Causes and risk factors for death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database

Objectives To determine the causes and predictors of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods Patients with SSc (n=5860) fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria and prospectively followed in the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) cohort were analysed. EUSTAR centres completed a structured questionnaire on cause of death and comorbidities. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse survival in SSc subgroups and to identify predictors of mortality. Results Questionnaires were obtained on 234 of 284 fatalities. 55% of deaths were attributed directly to SSc and 41% to non-SSc causes; in 4% the cause of death was not assigned. Of the SSc-related deaths, 35% were attributed to pulmonary fibrosis, 26% to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and 26% to cardiac causes (mainly heart failure and arrhythmias). Among the non-SSc-related causes, infections (33%) and malignancies (31%) were followed by cardiovascular causes (29%). Of the non-SSc-related fatalities, 25% died of causes in which SSc-related complications may have participated (pneumonia, sepsis and gastrointestinal haemorrhage). Independent risk factors for mortality and their HR were: proteinuria (HR 3.34), the presence of PAH based on echocardiography (HR 2.02), pulmonary restriction (forced vital capacity below 80% of normal, HR 1.64), dyspnoea above New York Heart Association class II (HR 1.61), diffusing capacity of the lung (HR 1.20 per 10% decrease), patient age at onset of Raynaud's phenomenon (HR 1.30 per 10 years) and the modified Rodnan skin score (HR 1.20 per 10 score points). Conclusion Disease-related causes, in particular pulmonary fibrosis, PAH and cardiac causes, accounted for the majority of deaths in SSc.
CD40L stimulation enhances the ability of conventional metaphase cytogenetics to detect chromosome aberrations in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells

Summary. Conventional metaphase cytogenetics underestimates the frequency of specific chromosome aberrations in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) as a result of the very low proliferative activity of these cells in vitro. New molecular approaches, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), may circumvent this problem, at least in part, but these techniques are either strongly dependent on the knowledge of candidate regions or detect only unbalanced aberrations. In the present study, we analysed 27 B‐CLL peripheral blood samples by metaphase cytogenetics after CD40 ligand (CD40L)‐induced cell cycle stimulation. In comparison with the simultaneous use of B‐cell mitogens such as 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM), CD40L stimulation of B‐CLL cells induced a threefold increase in metaphases amenable to analysis by conventional cytogenetics. The analysis of these metaphases confirmed all genetic abnormalities detected by FISH. Moreover, CD40L‐enhanced cytogenetics revealed complex karyotypic aberrations in 11 out of 27 patients (41%). In one case, a balanced translocation t(11;16)(p15;p13.1), so far unreported in B‐CLL, was detected. Taken together, the results of our study show the potential of CD40L‐enhanced metaphase cytogenetics to detect more and new chromosome aberrations in B‐CLL.
Motivations for Caregiving in Adult Intimate Relationships: Influences on Caregiving Behavior and Relationship Functioning

This study identified and examined the correlates of specific motivations for caregiving in romantic couples (N = 194 couples). At Time 1, couple members completed measures assessing motivations for caregiving, the quality of caregiving that occurs in the relationship, and personal and relationship characteristics that might influence caregiving motivations. Relationship functioning was then assessed 2 to 3 months later. Results revealed that (a) there are a number of distinct motivations for providing and for not providing care to one's partner, (b) the motivations are associated with various personal features of the caregiver and the recipient, (c) the caregiver's perceptions of the relationship influence his or her caregiving motives, (d) different motivations for caregiving predict different patterns of caregiving behavior, and (e) responsive caregiving predicts the recipient's perceptions of healthy relationship functioning both immediately and over time. Implications of identifying the motivations that promote or inhibit the provision of responsive support in intimate relationships are discussed.