Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epithelial sodium channel in human epidermal keratinocytes: expression of its subunits and relation to sodium transport and differentiation.

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a main determinant of sodium absorption in renal and colonic epithelial cells. Surprisingly, it is also expressed in non-transporting epithelia such as the epidermis. To gain insight into the putative role of ENaC in keratinocytes, we have evaluated its expression in human skin and in cultured human keratinocytes. Our results indicate that (1) ENaC is expressed in the epidermis and in cultured keratinocytes, at the mRNA and at the protein levels, (2) the ratio of expression of the different ENaC subunits is drastically modified at the protein level during cell growth and differentiation, with a selective upregulation of the &bgr; subunit, (3) no transepithelial sodium transport function is apparent in cultured keratinocytes, but patch-clamp recordings indicate the existence of functional sodium channels with properties similar to those of the cloned ENaC and (4) ENaC inhibition does not alter keratinocyte proliferation, but it significantly decreases the frequency of dome formation in confluent keratinocyte cultures. These results document for the first time the characteristics of ENaC subunit expression in human keratinocytes, and suggest that ENaC may be important during differentiation.
Satisfactory time use elasticities of demand and measuring well-being inequality through superposed utilities

In this article, the satisfactory consumption and labor supply elasticities of demand are measured through a model of time allocation that includes eight time assignment equations by using the full time use (the temporal values of the monetary expenditure plus time spent) concept obtained by matching the Classic Family Budget survey with the Time Use survey for Turkey. The cross-sectional data covers the period of 2003-2006 in Turkey. The elasticity results show a clear picture of the relationship between satisfactory consumption and working with commodity demands for Turkey. As a contribution to the literature, we explore the reasons behind the demand for satisfactory consumption through working decisions by measuring well-being inequality for each consumption group. In order to increase the robustness of our result, overall well-being inequality is measured by introducing the axiom of superposed utility of preferences. As expected, overall well-being inequality declines to 0.26, which is 119 percentage points lower than the average rate of well-being inequality (0.57) in Turkey
Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy for Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain

Abstract Background The purpose of ulnar shortening osteotomy is literally to shorten the ulna. It can tighten the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), ulnocarpal ligaments, and interosseous membrane. Nowadays, this method is used to treat ulnar-sided wrist pain, for which we have also started to use a treatment algorithm. The purpose of this study was to review the long-term and clinical results based on our algorithm. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with ulnocarpal impaction syndrome after a minimum follow-up of 5 years (Group A) and then retrospectively evaluated 66 patients with recalcitrant ulnar wrist pain treated based on our algorithm (Group B). Description of Technique Ulnocarpal abutment was confirmed arthroscopically. The distal ulna was approached through a longitudinal incision between the extensor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi ulnaris. We performed a transverse resection of the ulna fixed with a small locking compression plate. The contralateral side served as the reference for the length of shortening (mean, 2.4 mm; range, 1–5 mm). Disappearance of ulnar abutment was then confirmed again arthroscopically. Results (Group A) Most patients showed good long-term clinical results. About half of the patients showed a bony spur at the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), but the clinical results did not significantly correlate with presence of bony spurs. Radiological parameters wre not related to the presence of bony spurs. (Group B) Twenty-four of the 66 patients investigated prospectively underwent an ulnar shortening osteotomy, with all showing good clinical results at 18 months postoperatively. Conclusions Ulnar shortening osteotomy can change the load of the ulnar side of the wrist and appears useful for ulnar-sided wrist pain in the presence of ulnar impaction. Level of evidence IV
Productivity, profitability and land-use efficiency of soybean (Glycine max)-based cropping systems under different nutrient-management practices

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy ( khar if), winter ( rabi) and summer seasons of 201112 and 201213 at New Delhi, to evaluate the productivity, profitability and land-use efficiency of 4 soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]-based cropping systems involving wheat [ Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol. ], chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.), potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), mungbean [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and fodder sorghum [ Sor- ghum bicolor (L.) Monech], under 5 nutrient-management practices. System productivity of soybean-based crop- ping system in terms of soybean-equivalent yield (SEY) was significantly higher under soybeanchickpeafodder sorghum (7.44 t/ha) during 201112 and under soybeanpotatomungbean system (8.99 t/ha) during 201213. Land-use efficiency (LUE) was higher in soybeanchickpeasorghum (F) and soybeanwheatmungbean sys- tems than soybeanwheatfallow and soybeanpotatomungbean systems during both the years. Soybean chickpeasorghum (F) and soybeanpotatomungbean systems recorded the highest production efficiency (PE) based on SEY (22.8 and 31.4 kg SEY/ha/day) and monetary terms ( 255 and 363/ha/day) during 201112 and 201213 respectively. Application of 25% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 50% RDN through FYM + biofertlizers in soybean gave significantly highest seed yield during both the years. Application of 100% RDF re- sulted in the highest wheat yield and potato tuber yield during both the years. Highest yield of chickpea, mungbean and sorghum fodder were obtained with 50% RDF + 50% RDN through FYM during both the years. The highest SEY (6.73 t/ha and 6.84 t/ha) was achieved with of 50% RDF + 50% RDN, through FYM during both the years.
Epidemiological, Serological, and Virological Features of Dengue in Nha Trang City, Vietnam

Abstract. Vietnam is endemic for dengue. We conducted a series of retrospective and prospective studies to characterize the epidemiology of dengue and population mobility patterns in Nha Trang city, Vietnam, with a view to rational design of trials of community-level interventions. A 10-year time series of dengue case notifications showed pronounced interannual variability, as well as spatial heterogeneity in ward-level dengue incidence (median annual coefficient of variation k = 0.47). Of 451 children aged 1–10 years enrolled in a cross-sectional serosurvey, almost one-third had evidence of a past dengue virus (DENV) infection, with older children more likely to have a multitypic response indicative of past exposure to ≥ 1 serotype. All four DENV serotypes were detected in hospitalized patients during 8 months of sampling in 2015. Mobility data collected from 1,000 children and young adults via prospective travel diaries showed that, although all ages spent approximately half of their daytime hours (5:00 am–9:00 pm) at home, younger age groups (≤ 14 years) spent a significantly greater proportion of their time within 500 m of home than older respondents. Together these findings inform the rational design of future trials of dengue preventive interventions in this setting by identifying 1) children < 7 years as an optimal target group for a flavivirus-naive serological cohort, 2) children and young adults as the predominant patient population for a study with a clinical end point of symptomatic dengue, and 3) substantial spatial and temporal variations in DENV transmission, with a consequent requirement for a trial to be large enough and of long enough duration to overcome this heterogeneity.
Portfolio selection under uncertainty: a new methodology for computing relative-robust solutions

In this paper, a new methodology for computing relative-robust portfolios based on minimax regret is proposed. Regret is defined as the utility loss for the investor resulting from choosing a given portfolio instead of choosing the optimal portfolio of the realized scenario. The absolute robust strategy was also considered and, in this case, the minimum investor’s expected utility in the worst-case scenario is maximized. Several subsamples are gathered from the in-sample data and for each subsample a minimax regret and a maximin solution are computed, to avoid the risk of overfitting. Robust portfolios are computed using a genetic algorithm, allowing the transformation of a 3-level optimization problem in a 2-level problem. Results show that the proposed relative-robust portfolio generally outperforms (other) relative-robust and non-robust portfolios, except for the global minimum variance portfolio. Furthermore, the relative-robust portfolio generally outperforms the absolute-robust portfolio, even considering higher risk aversion levels.
Do Eurozone yield spreads predict recessions

An OLS and probit framework is used to examine the predictive power of yield spreads with respect to GDP growth and recessions in the Eurozone from the 1990s to the recent past. Credit default swap (CDS) data on sovereign bonds, which provide a direct measure of default risk, are employed as part of a new risk-adjustment method that significantly enhances the predictive accuracy of the yield-spread approach. The results show that the accuracy of predictions of growth and recessions using the commonly employed yield spread remains high, provided that biases associated with Eurozone sovereign default risk are accounted for.
Contact and junction engineering in bulk FinFET technology for improved ESD/latch-up performance with design trade-offs and its implications on hot carrier reliability

In this work, the role of contact and junction engineering to improve ESD, Latch-up robustness as well as hot carrier reliability is discussed using 3D TCAD simulations. A FinFET technology calibrated to published data of a 14 nm technology is investigated. S/D contact and junction engineering in FinFETs can boost the ESD robustness by a factor of 6x compared to the basic process, however, adversely affects the hot carrier reliability. The trade-off of the essential technology guidelines for maximizing the overall reliability behavior and ESD/LU robustness are derived. Based on these guidelines, a hybrid contact/junction technology is proposed.
Pattern-Reconfigurable, Flexible, Wideband, Directive, Electrically Small Near-Field Resonant Parasitic Antenna

A pattern-reconfigurable, flexible, wideband, directive, electrically small near-field resonant parasitic (NFRP) antenna is presented. The antenna consists of a pair of Egyptian axe dipole NFRP elements, together with a pair of shaped metallic strips that act as the driven element and are fed by a coaxial cable. These NFRP and driven elements are designed to achieve compactness. Two pairs of p-i-n diodes are integrated into the driven element to enable the pattern reconfigurability. The antenna has two switchable directive endfire states, each pointed in direct opposition to the other. Examples of the evolution of the antenna are used to illustrate its operating principles. A prototype of the optimized design operating in a frequency range centered at 1.8 GHz was fabricated and measured. The simulation and experimental results are in good agreement. The antenna exhibits a wide ~13.1% impedance bandwidth and a ~4.42 dBi peak realized gain in both pattern-reconfigurable states while maintaining its electrically small size: $\textit {ka} \sim 0.94$ . The flexibility of this antenna is demonstrated under different bending conditions by mounting it on cylinders with several different radii, and the results confirm that its performance characteristics are maintained under all of them.
Racial differences in the correlation between gonadal androgens and serum insulin levels.

OBJECTIVE We previously demonstrated a direct correlation between serum insulin levels and gonadal androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) in a group of obese hyperandrogenic predominantly black women. Subsequent work by others in predominantly white women showed conflicting results. To examine these potentially important racial differences further, 14 premenopausal females from each ethnic group, of similar age, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio, were studied. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We measured baseline gonadal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and leutinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio. Serum glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were measured at baseline and during a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (area under the curve [AUC]). Insulin sensitivity was measured by glucose decrement during the first 15 min of an intravenous insulin tolerance test. RESULTS Simple correlation analysis revealed a significant direct correlation in blacks (but not whites) between gonadal androgens and AUC for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide. Race-by-covariate interaction models reinforced the simple correlation finding. Cholesterol level was also correlated to all androgens in blacks, but not in whites. We also found that whites had higher serum triglycerides and greater AUC glucose than blacks. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there is a significant direct correlation between gonadal androgens and stimulated glucose, insulin, and C-peptide in blacks but not in whites. Thus, the previously reported direct correlation between gonadal hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia may be a race-dependent phenomenon, hitherto an unreported observation. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Combined With Exercise for Adults With Chronic Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall effect of cognitive behavior therapy combined with physical exercise (CBTEx) interventions on depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain in adults with chronic illness; to identify the potential moderators of efficacy; and to compare the efficacy of CBTEx versus each condition alone (CBT and physical exercise). Method: Relevant randomized clinical trials, published before July 2017, were identified through database searches in PubMed, PsycArticles, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials. Results: A total of 30 studies were identified. CBTEx interventions yielded small to large effect sizes for depression (standardized mean change [SMC] = −0.34, 95% CI [−0.53, −0.14]), anxiety (SMC = −0.18, 95% CI [−0.34, −0.03]), and fatigue (SMC = −0.96, 95% CI [−1.43, −0.49]). Moderation analyses revealed that longer intervention was associated with greater effect sizes for depression and anxiety outcomes. Low methodological quality was also associated with increased CBTEx efficacy for depression. When compared directly, CBTEx interventions did not show greater efficacy than CBT alone or physical exercise alone for any of the outcomes. Conclusion: The current literature suggests that CBTEx interventions are effective for decreasing depression, anxiety, and fatigue symptoms but not pain. However, the findings do not support an additive effect of CBT and exercise on any of the 4 outcomes compared to each condition alone.
Prevalence, risk factors and secondary prevention of stroke recurrence in eight countries from south, east and southeast asia: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION In most Asian countries, stroke is one of the major causes of mortality. A stroke event is life-changing for stroke survivors, which results in either mortality or disability. Therefore, this study comprehensively focuses on prevalence, risk factors, and secondary prevention for stroke recurrence identified in South, East, and Southeast Asian countries. METHODS This scoping review uses the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley. A comprehensive search of academic journals (English) on this topic published from 2007 to 2017 was conducted. A total of 22 studies were selected from 585 studies screened from the electronic databases. RESULTS First-year stroke recurrence rates are in the range of 2.2% to 25.4%. Besides that, modifiable risk factors are significantly associated with pathophysiological factors (hypertension, ankle-brachial pressure index, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and atrial fibrillation) and lifestyle factors (obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and high salt intake). Furthermore, age, previous history of cerebrovascular events, and stroke subtype are also significant influence risk factors for recurrence. A strategic secondary prevention method for recurrent stroke is health education along with managing risk factors through a combination of appropriate lifestyle intervention and pharmacological therapy. CONCLUSION To prevent recurrent stroke, health intervention should be geared towards changing lifestyle to embody a healthier approach to life. This is of great importance to public health and stroke survivors' quality of life.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Piecing the Puzzle Together

ABSTRACT: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was first described in 1882 and is characterized by a diverse spectrum of clinical manifestations, including neurofibromas, cafe au lait spots, and Lisch nodules. NF1 is also noted for the higher risk of associated malignancies, making it the most common tumour-predisposing disease in humans. Transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner, the NFI gene was cloned in 1990, and belongs to the family of tumour suppressor genes. Since then, there has been an explosion in our understanding of how the gene product, neurofibromin, functions in normal cellular physiology, and how its loss in NF1 relates to the wide spectrum of clinical findings, including NF1-associated tumours. Neurofibromin is a major negative regulator of a key signal transduction pathway in cells, the Ras pathway, which transmits mitogenic signals to the nucleus. Loss of neurofibromin leads to increased levels of activated Ras (bound to GTP), and thus increased downstream mitogenic signaling. Our understanding of neurofibromin's role within cells has allowed for the development of pharmacological therapies which target the specific molecular abnormalities in NF1 tumours. These include the farnesyl transferase inhibitors, which inhibit the post-translational modification of Ras, and other agents which modulate Ras-mediated signaling pathways.
The Brassica epithionitrile 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane triggers cell death in human liver cancer cells in vitro.

SCOPE Glucosinolates are secondary metabolites present in Brassica vegetables. Alkenyl glucosinolates are enzymatically degraded forming nitriles or isothiocyanates, but in the presence of epithiospecifier protein, epithionitriles are released. However, studies on the occurrence of epithionitriles in Brassica food and knowledge about their biological effects are scarce. METHODS AND RESULTS Epithionitrile formation from glucosinolates of seven Brassica vegetables was analyzed using GC-MS and HPLC-DAD. Bioactivity of synthetic and plant-derived 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane (CETP) - the predominant epithionitrile in Brassica vegetables - in three human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and primary murine hepatocytes was also evaluated. The majority of the Brassica vegetables were producers of nitriles or epithionitriles as hydrolysis products and not of isothiocyanates. For example, Brussels sprouts and savoy cabbage contained up to 0.8 μmol CETP/g vegetable. Using formazan dye assays, concentrations of 380-1500 nM CETP were observed to inhibit the mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity of human HCC cells without impairment of cell growth. At 100-fold higher CETP concentrations, cell death was observed. Presence of plant matrix increased CETP-based toxicity. CONCLUSION These in vitro data provide no indication that epithionitriles will severely affect human health by Brassica consumption. In contrast to isothiocyanates, no evidence of selective toxicity against HCC cells was found.
Treat Me Like Everyone Else: The Experience of Nurses Who Had Disabilities While in School

The Americans With Disabilities Act requires that nursing programs not discriminate against students with disabilities. This article describes a qualitative study of RNs who had disabilities while in nursing school. As students, participants tried to hide their disabilities, experienced fear and anger from faculty, were frequently told they could never be nurses, wanted to be treated like everyone else, had to work harder than others to prove themselves worthy, and learned to advocate for themselves.
Perceived Racial Discrimination in Health Care, Completion of Standard Diabetes Services, and Diabetes Control Among a Sample of American Indian Women

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine perceived experiences of racial discrimination (perceived discrimination) in health care and its associations with completing standards of care for diabetes management and diabetes control. Methods This cross-sectional study included 200 adult American Indian (AI) women with type 2 diabetes from 4 health care facilities located on tribal reservations in the Pacific Northwest. Participants completed a survey, and medical records were abstracted. Logistic regression was completed to assess associations. Results Sixty-seven percent of AI women reported discrimination during their lifetime of health care. After adjusting for patient characteristics, perceived discrimination was significantly associated with lower rates of dental exam; checks for blood pressure, creatinine, and total cholesterol; and pneumococcal vaccination. The association between perceived discrimination and total number of diabetes services completed was not statistically significant. Perceived discrimination was associated with having A1C values above target levels for diabetes control in unadjusted and adjusted models, but no association was observed for blood pressure or total cholesterol. Conclusions In our sample of AI women with diabetes, two-thirds reported experiencing racial discrimination in their health care experience. Those reporting perceived discrimination completed fewer diabetes services and therefore may be at increased risk for comorbidities of diabetes. This finding supports the continued need for culturally responsive health care and programs of diabetes education to recognize perceived discrimination and its potential to impact success in self-management and services utilization.