Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Value of reelin for assessing hepatic fibrogenesis in a group of Egyptian HCV infected patients

Abstract Background: Development of non-invasive markers that can predict the stages of hepatic fibrosis without resorting to repeated liver biopsies is still an important goal to evaluate the effectiveness of antifibrotic treatment. The present work investigates the value of the assessment of peripheral circulating reelin, in which the liver represents its prime source, as a marker for monitoring hepatic fibrogenesis. Methods: Seventy-four cases with chronic hepatitis positive for serum HCV RNA and 15 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Assessment of reelin in the harvested serum and in 64 corresponding liver biopsies using immunofluorescence technique was done. The results were evaluated in relation to the stages and quantitative morphometric analysis of hepatic fibrosis as well as the serum levels of the validated biomarker hyaluronic acid. Results: Significant correlation was detected between the levels of serum reelin and the semiquantitative assessment of reelin immunoreactivity in liver tissue, the stages of hepatic fibrosis, the morphometrically determined collagen and serum hyaluronic acid with a correlation coefficient of 0.675, 0.623, 0.479, 0.772, respectively with p<0.001. The sensitivity and the specificity of reelin for the determination of advanced (F2+F3) and significant fibrosis (F2–F4) were nearly comparable to the result of hyaluronic acid. In addition the area under curve (AUC) were 0.859, 0.871 for the reelin versus 0.878, and 0.891 for the hyaluronic acid. Conclusions: In conclusion serum reelin may be considered an additional useful parameter for monitoring the progression of hepatic fibrosis in HCV-infected patients specially in those with active rheumatological conditions which result in an increase in serum hyaluronic acid.
Bank Lending Standards, Loan Demand, and the Macroeconomy: Evidence from the Korean Bank Loan Officer Survey

Despite renewed interest spurred by the global financial crisis, identifying a bank loan supply shock from demand-side factors remains challenging. While existing sigh-restriction studies often rely on the bank lending rate and the loan volume to identify a loan supply shock, they implicitly assume that the observed interest rate always equates supply and demand for loans. Using bank loan officer survey from eight emerging market economies (EMEs), I document a distinct cyclical pattern of bank lending standards and loan demand in the EMEs from that in the U.S. or the Euro area. Using quarterly Korean data, I demonstrate that a conventional sign-restriction approach could result in a misguided interpretation of credit slowdown when credit rationing or non-price lending terms exist. To resolve this issue, I propose an alternative identifying scheme by exploiting the information from bank loan officer survey and find that a negative loan supply shock has a strong adverse effect on output, followed by a decline in inflation and the policy rate.
Craniofacial asymmetry of a dry skull with plagiocephaly.

A dry skull from a young adult subject with premature synostosis of the coronal suture on the right side is described. Marked asymmetry was found in the internal cranial base which revealed premature fusion of the spheno-frontal suture on the right side. The anterior cranial fossa was extremely short on the affected side. An axis of symmetry could be established for the posterior and the central part of the middle cranial fossa. The mid-line of the anterior cranial fossa deviated markedly to the right in relation to the axis of symmetry. The deviations of the facial mid-lines became less pronounced down through the external cranial base, the nasal bones, the maxillae and the mandible. The orbital axis deviated laterally on the affected side. Both the maxilla and mandible were shorter on the affected side than on the unaffected side. The asymmetry of the mandible was primarily located in the region of the ramus and condyle. Despite the marked asymmetry of trie cranial base, the dental mid-lines coincided and the occlusion was normal. The asymmetric development of the jaws was regarded as compensatory to the primary asymmetry of the cranial base.
Assessment of Small Industry Resistance to the Hypercompetition Threats in Regions

Despite the relative «youth» of hypercompetition theory, a lot of research has been carried out currently. But most of them study hypercompetition threats from the perspective of transnational companies. We estimate that enterprises of all sizes, including small ones, are exposed to this threat, because hypercompetition reduces the life cycle of competitive advantage, and thus constantly changes the positions of market players. The study determines to what extent the hypercompetition drivers are manifested in the Russian economy, in which industries and regions the small industries are subject to its threats the most. We have classified small enterprises of manufacturing industries to «small industry» as prevailing in small industrial structure. The paper revealed that the Russian economy has already shown the driving forces of hypercompetition and sectoral and regional differentiation. This conclusion is based on the analysis of changes in conditions and rules of competition. Therefore, the challenge was to develop a research method to assess small industry resistance to hypercompetition threats in the regions. The method has allowed to assess 47 Russian regions according to three criteria: the degree of hypercompetition threat; potential growth and importance of small industry for the regional development; open innovations availability for small industries as an effective method for increasing hypercompetition resistance. The integrated results of these assessments made it possible to identify 11 regions: the Republic of Mordovia, Chuvash Republic, Sverdlovsk region, Tula region, Krasnoyarsk region, Chelyabinsk region, Vladimir region, Lipetsk region, Penza region, Republic of Mari El, Ryazan region. These are the areas where, on the one hand, threats of hypercompetition for primary branches of the small industry are rather big. However, on the other hand, small industry has a high development potential even in hypercompetition through open innovation.
Effects of nebivolol and atenolol on insulin sensitivity and haemodynamics in hypertensive patients

Objectives To compare the effects of nebivolol and atenolol in 25 ambulatory hypertensive patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Design Clinic and ambulatory blood pressure, insulin sensitivity (euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp), glucose tolerance (intravenous glucose tolerance test), systemic and regional haemodynamics were measured after 4 weeks of placebo and after each 16-week treatment period in a double-blind, crossover fashion. Results Nebivolol and atenolol similarly reduced (P < 0.001) clinic and ambulatory blood pressure by approximately 15/10 mmHg, systolic and diastolic. Clinic and ambulatory heart rate was reduced to a greater extent (P < 0.01) by atenolol than nebivolol. Atenolol was associated with an approximately 20% reduction in insulin sensitivity (insulin-induced glucose disposal rate/mean insulin concentration ratio, P < 0.01) and an approximately 10% reduction in glucose disappearance rate (K- value, P < 0.05), whereas these variables were not significantly modified with nebivolol. Cardiac output was reduced similarly (P < 0.05) by both drugs at rest but forearm blood flow, forearm vascular resistance or total peripheral resistance were unaffected. A significant inverse correlation coefficient between cardiac output and insulin sensitivity was found at baseline, suggesting that a compensatory increase in systemic blood flow occurs in hypertensive patients with progressively more marked insulin resistance. This relationship was unaffected by nebivolol but was lost with atenolol. Conclusions These results indicate that insulin sensitivity was not modified significantly by nebivolol, whereas it was reduced by atenolol, although blood pressure was decreased to the same extent by both drugs. Neither drug induced systemic or forearm vasodilatation but the inverse relationship between cardiac output and insulin sensitivity was preserved with nebivolol but not with atenolol.
EGF receptor/Rolled MAP kinase signalling protects cells against activated Armadillo in the Drosophila eye

β‐catenin/Armadillo are transcriptional co‐activators that mediate Wnt signalling in normal development. Activated forms of β‐catenin are oncogenic. We have constructed mutant forms of Drosophila Armadillo which correspond to common human oncogenic mutations, and find them to activate Armadillo constitutively. When expressed in the Drosophila eye, these eventually induce apoptosis in all cell types. Intriguingly, cells in the eye are resistant to the effects of activated Armadillo for a long period prior to the onset of cell death at the mid‐pupal stage. This latency is conferred by EGF receptor (EGFR)/MAP kinase signalling, which prevents activated Armadillo from inducing apoptosis; when EGFR signalling naturally ceases, the cells rapidly die. Nemo, the Drosophila homologue of NLK in mice and LIT‐1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, does not antagonize activated Armadillo, suggesting that the Nemo‐like MAP kinases may not generally interact with Armadillo/β‐catenin. Thus, our results show that activated Armadillo is subject to a specific negative control by EGFR/Rolled MAP kinase signalling.
Similar Prevalence of Acetabular Labral Tear in Professional Ballet Dancers and Sporting Participants

Objective:To compare the prevalence of acetabular labral tear in male and female professional ballet dancers with age-matched and sex-matched sporting participants and to determine the relationship to clinical findings and cartilage defects. Design:Case–control study. Setting:Clinical and radiology practices. Participants:Forty-nine (98 hips) male and female professional ballet dancers (current and retired) with median age 30 years (range: 19-64 years) and 49 (98 hips) age-matched and sex-matched sporting participants. Independent Variables:Group (ballet or sports), sex, age, hip cartilage defects, history of hip pain, Hip and Groin Outcome Score, passive hip internal rotation (IR), and external rotation range of movement (ROM). Main Outcome Measures:Labral tear identified with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results:Labral tears were identified in 51% of all 196 hips. The prevalence did not differ significantly between the ballet and sporting participants (P = 0.41) or between sexes (P = 0.34). Labral tear was not significantly associated with clinical measures, such as pain and function scores or rotation ROM (P > 0.01 for all). Pain provocation test using IR at 90° of hip flexion had excellent specificity [96%, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), 0.77%-0.998%] but poor sensitivity (50%, 95% CI, 0.26%-0.74%) for identifying labral tear in participants reporting hip pain. Older age and cartilage defect presence were independently associated with an increased risk of labral tear (both P < 0.001). Conclusions:The prevalence of labral tear in male and female professional ballet dancers was similar to a sporting population. Labral tears were not associated with clinical findings but were related to cartilage defects, independent of aging. Clinical Relevance:Caution is required when interpreting MRI findings as labral tear may not be the source of the ballet dancer's symptoms.
Corporate Leverage and Investment in Portugal

This analysis aims at assessing the decrease of investment induced by an increase in debt of an excessively indebted corporate sector in Portugal, testing empirically the relationship between corporate indebtedness and investment. The results show evidence of a negative relationship between firms’ investment-to-capital ratio and their indebtedness over the period 2010-15. This type of relation between these variables suggests the need for companies to deleverage. Results also point to asymmetric effects beyond a certain threshold level of indebtedness, namely a debt-to-asset ratio of 45.6%, because greater access to debt can help increase investment levels, but excess leverage can reverse these benefits by raising corporate vulnerabilities. Relationship between debt and investment was also tested along firm sector to deepen the role of firm sector heterogeneity and a negative relationship was also found in the three major sectors (Wholesale and retail, Manufacturing and Construction).
On new quasi-type-2 fuzzy logic systems

This paper provides an answer to the question that the type-2 fuzzy logic community is now asking: ldquoWhat comes after interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems (TT2 FLSs)? rdquo It demonstrates, through a geometrical understanding of the type-reduced set, that logical next steps in the progression from type-1 to interval type-2 to type-2 FLSs are quasi-T2 FLSs, either an interconnection of a T1 FLS and an IT2 FLS, or an interconnection of two IT2 FLSs, in which both FLSs are designed simultaneously. The quasi-T2 FLSs overcome the computational difficulties that are associated with set theoretic operations and type-reduction (TR) for general T2 FSs and FLSs, because all set theoretic operations can be performed as in existing T1 or IT2 FLSs, and because TR for an IT2 FLS can be performed using existing KM algorithms.
Space charge behaviour in thick oil-impregnated pressboard under HVDC stresses

As the main insulation applied in HVDC convertor transformer, the dielectric properties of oil-pressboard insulation system play an important role in the reliability of power system. One of the key problems related to any HVDC insulation systems is the easy formation of space charge within the bulk and at the interfaces. In this paper, space charge behaviour in the impregnated pressboard with 1mm in thickness is investigated using the pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) technique under different DC stresses at the room temperature. To study the influence of transformer oil status, the 1mm thick dried pressboards are separately impregnated with fresh oil and serviced aged oil. The PEA results show that homo-charge injection occurs for all the measurements. Both applied stress and oil status can affect the space charge behaviour, however, it has been found the oil status is the dominant factor in the present study. The electric field enhanced by the charges is about 45% in the aged oil samples and 15% in the fresh oil samples.
Role of microRNAs on the Regulation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Insulin Signaling in Skeletal Muscle

Mitochondria play a critical role in several cellular processes and cellular homeostasis. Mitochondrion dysfunction has been correlated with numerous metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. MicroRNAs are non‐coding RNAs that have emerged as key regulators of cell metabolism. The microRNAs act as central regulators of metabolic gene networks by leading to the degradation of their target messenger RNA or repression of protein translation. In addition, vesicular and non‐vesicular circulating miRNAs exhibit a potential role as mediators of the cross‐talk between the skeletal muscle and other tissues/organs. In this review, we will focus on the emerging knowledge of miRNAs controlling mitochondrial function and insulin signaling in skeletal muscle cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 958–966, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding the Effect of Consumer Perceptions on Buying Intention for Air Tickets Online in Malaysia

Airline companies face high operational costs and fierce competition. For them, electronic ticketing has become an effective way to save costs. Although market studies indicate an upward trend among travellers to buy air tickets online, it is mostly from advanced nations like the United States and United Kingdom. In Malaysia, buying online is somewhat lower. To increase internet booking in Malaysia, it is important to understand the factors that influence buying intention of consumers. However, there is limited academic research in Malaysia. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model, this study investigates the effect of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on online buying intention for air tickets. The data was collected online and analysed statistically. Results from the study indicate that perceived usefulness has a significant positive relationship with buying intention, and that perceived usefulness fully mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and buying intention. In contrast, no significant relationship was found between perceived ease of use and buying intention online. Hence, perceived usefulness has a greater effect on buying intention than perceived ease of use. It is recommended that future research also examine the effect of demographic factors on buying intention for air tickets online.
Tumor necrosis factor-&agr; promoter −308 G/A polymorphism and susceptibility to sepsis in very-low-birth-weight infants

Objectives:To determine whether the tumor necrosis factor-&agr; −308 G/A polymorphism is associated with blood culture-proven sepsis in two large cohorts of very-low-birth-weight infants. Design:Genetic association studies. Setting:Prospective, population-based, multicentered cohort of 1944 very-low-birth-weight infants born in 14 German study centers between 2003 and 2008 and 976 mothers, and a second prospective cohort of 926 very-low-birth-weight infants born in 2009 (German Neonatal Network). Measurements and Main Results:In cohort I, 344 of 1944 (18.2%) very-low-birth-weight infants had at least one episode of blood culture-proven sepsis develop. The sepsis incidence stratified to genotype was 19.3% for G/G, 15.8% for G/A, 10.0% for A/A genotype (Cochrane-Armitage trend test: G/G vs. G/A: odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.71; G/G vs. A/A: odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.91; p = .03). There was a trend for association of tumor necrosis factor-&agr; −308 A/G genotype with late-onset sepsis episodes (incidence: 17.2% for G/G, 12.5% for G/A, 10.0% for A/A genotype; Cochrane-Armitage trend test: G/G vs. G/A: odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.9; G/G vs. A/A: odds ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–3.56; p = .009). However, after adjustment for multiple testing, no significant associations were found. Furthermore, the genotype of the investigated 976 mothers had no impact on sepsis risk for their very-low-birth-weight infants. We additionally studied a second prospective cohort of 926 very-low-birth-weight infants and found no associations with sepsis risk. Conclusions:No association was found between the tumor necrosis factor-&agr; −308 G/A polymorphism blood culture-proven sepsis in two large cohorts of very-low-birth-weight infants. A recent meta-analysis demonstrated that the tumor necrosis factor-&agr; −308 A allele is associated with higher sepsis risk in adult cohorts. Thus, potential differences between adults and infants need to be incorporated in future study designs evaluating risk profiles for sepsis.
Identification of Striatal and Pallidal Regions in the Subpallium of Anamniotes

The telencephalic basal ganglia (BG) of amniotes consist of two subdivisions, striatum and pallidum, which share many features, including development, cell types, neurotransmitter organization and hodology. In particular, these two subdivisions during development are defined on the basis of discrete gene expression patterns (genoarchitecture or genoarchitectonics). The characterization of the BG in the subpallium of representatives of the different classes of anamniote vertebrates was first approached in studies dealing with their localization, hodology and main neurochemical characteristics. Thus, it was proposed that an impressive degree of conservation exists across species. New insights can be gained by the comparative analysis of the expression of conserved transcription factors that distinctly define the striatal and pallidal components of the BG in all vertebrates. In addition, the expression of other genes that characterize neighboring regions of the BG is also useful to define the boundaries of each subdivision. Following this approach, we have analyzed the BG in the brain of juvenile representatives of amphibians, lungfishes, holosteans, Polypteriformes and Chondrichthyes. In addition, we briefly review previous data in teleosts and agnathans. The markers used include islet 1 and Dlx as striatal markers, whereas Nkx2.1 is essential for the identification of the pallidum. In turn, Pax6 and in particular Tbr1 are expressed in the pallium. These markers have been systematically analyzed in combination with neuronal markers of specific subpallial territories and cell populations, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, γ-aminobutyric acid, nitric oxide synthase, substance P and enkephalin. The results highlight that many genes share common distribution patterns and are arranged in conserved combinations whose identification has served to define homologies between components of the BG in distant species.
Chemical Bonding of Transition-Metal Co13 Clusters with Graphene.

We carried out density functional calculations to study the adsorption of Co13 clusters on graphene. Several free isomers were deposited at different positions with respect to the hexagonal lattice nodes, allowing us to study even the hcp 2d isomer, which was recently obtained as the most stable one. Surprisingly, the Co13 clusters attached to graphene prefer icosahedron-like structures in which the low-lying isomer is much distorted; in such structures, they are linked with more bonds than those reported in previous works. For any isomer, the most stable position binds to graphene by the Co atoms that can lose electrons. We find that the charge transfer between graphene and the clusters is small enough to conclude that the Co-graphene binding is not ionic-like but chemical. Besides, the same order of stability among the different isomers on doped graphene is kept. These findings could also be of interest for magnetic clusters on graphenic nanostructures such as ribbons and nanotubes.
In Helicobacter pylori, LuxS Is a Key Enzyme in Cysteine Provision through a Reverse Transsulfuration Pathway

ABSTRACT In many bacteria, LuxS functions as a quorum-sensing molecule synthase. However, it also has a second, more central metabolic function in the activated methyl cycle (AMC), which generates the S-adenosylmethionine required by methyltransferases and recycles the product via methionine. Helicobacter pylori lacks an enzyme catalyzing homocysteine-to-methionine conversion, rendering the AMC incomplete and thus making any metabolic role of H. pylori LuxS (LuxSHp) unclear. Interestingly, luxS Hp is located next to genes annotated as cysK Hp and metB Hp, involved in other bacteria in cysteine and methionine metabolism. We showed that isogenic strains carrying mutations in luxS Hp, cysK Hp, and metB Hp could not grow without added cysteine (whereas the wild type could), suggesting roles in cysteine synthesis. Growth of the ΔluxS Hp mutant was restored by homocysteine or cystathionine and growth of the ΔcysK Hp mutant by cystathionine only. The ΔmetB Hp mutant had an absolute requirement for cysteine. Metabolite analyses showed that S-ribosylhomocysteine accumulated in the ΔluxS Hp mutant, homocysteine in the ΔcysK Hp mutant, and cystathionine in the ΔmetB Hp mutant. This suggests that S-ribosylhomocysteine is converted by LuxSHp to homocysteine (as in the classic AMC) and thence by CysKHp to cystathionine and by MetBHp to cysteine. In silico analysis suggested that cysK-metB-luxS were acquired by H. pylori from a Gram-positive source. We conclude that cysK-metB-luxS encode the capacity to generate cysteine from products of the incomplete AMC of H. pylori in a process of reverse transsulfuration. We recommend that the misnamed genes cysK Hp and metB Hp be renamed mccA (methionine-to-cysteine-conversion gene A) and mccB, respectively.