Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Familial digit ratio ( 2 D : 4 D ) associations in a general population sample from Wales

Background: The relative length of the second and fourth fingers (2D:4D) may be a sex-linked correlate of prenatal androgen exposure. However, the nature of the sex-linkage is controversial, with evidence for both Xand Y-linkage of the 2D:4D phenotype. Aims: To examine transgenerational effects relating to sex-linkage. In addition, assortative mating on 2D:4D was considered, as well as associations between 2D:4D and age and sex. Study design: A family study was conducted. Parents and offspring completed a demographic questionnaire, and digit ratios were calculated from photocopies of participants' hands. Subjects: We recruited and phenotyped 585 individuals attending a cultural festival in Wales. 2D:4D information was available for 47 mother-son dyads, 70 mother-daughter dyads, 31 father-son dyads and 30 father-daughter
Dysregulated daily rhythmicity of neuronal resting-state networks in MCI patients

In young healthy participants, the degree of daily rhythmicity largely varies across different neuronal resting-state networks (RSNs), while it is to date unknown whether this temporal pattern of activity is conserved in healthy and pathological aging. Twelve healthy elderly (mean age = 65.1 ± 5.7 years) and 12 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; mean age = 69.6 ± 6.2 years) underwent four resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans at fixed 2.5 h intervals throughout a day. Time courses of a RSN were extracted by a connectivity strength and a spatial extent approach performed individually for each participant. Highly rhythmic RSNs included a sensorimotor, a cerebellar and a visual network in healthy elderly; the least rhythmic RSNs in this group included a network associated with executive control and an orbitofrontal network. The degree of daily rhythmicity in aMCI patients was reduced and dysregulated. For healthy elderly, the findings are in accordance with results reported for young healthy participants suggesting a comparable distribution of daily rhythmicity across RSNs during healthy aging. In contrast, the reduction and dysregulation of daily rhythmicity observed in aMCI patients is presumably indicative of underlying neurodegenerative processes in this group.
(WP 2016-02) The Limits of Central Bank Forward Guidance under Learning

Central bank forward guidance emerged as a pertinent tool for monetary policymakers since the Great Recession. Nevertheless, the effects of forward guidance remain unclear. This paper investigates the effectiveness of forward guidance while relaxing two standard macroeconomic assumptions: rational expectations and frictionless financial markets. Agents forecast future macroeconomic variables via either the rational expectations hypothesis or a more plausible theory of expectations formation called adaptive learning. A standard Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model is extended to include the financial accelerator mechanism. The results show that the addition of financial frictions amplifies the differences between rational expectations and adaptive learning to forward guidance. The macroeconomic variables are overall more responsive to forward guidance under rational expectations than under adaptive learning. During a period of economic crisis (e.g. a recession), output under rational expectations displays more favorable responses to forward guidance than under adaptive learning. These differences are exacerbated when compared to a similar analysis without financial frictions. Thus, monetary policymakers should consider the way in which expectations and credit frictions are modeled when examining the effects of forward guidance.
Pretreatment of Donor Islets With the Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger Inhibitor Improves the Efficiency of Islet Transplantation

Pancreatic islet transplantation is an attractive therapy for the treatment of insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus. However, the low efficiency of this procedure necessitating sequential transplantations of islets with the use of 2–3 donors for a single recipient, mainly due to the early loss of transplanted islets, hampers its clinical application. Previously, we have shown in mice that a large amount of HMGB1 is released from islets soon after their transplantation and that this triggers innate immune rejection with activation of DC, NKT cells and neutrophils to produce IFN‐γ, ultimately leading to the early loss of transplanted islets. Thus, HMGB1 release plays an initial pivotal role in this process; however, its mechanism remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that release of HMGB1 from transplanted islets is due to hypoxic damage resulting from Ca2+ influx into β cells through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). Moreover, the hypoxia‐induced β cell damage was prevented by pretreatment with an NCX‐specific inhibitor prior to transplantation, resulting in protection and long‐term survival of transplanted mouse and human islets when grafted into mice. These findings suggest a novel strategy with potentially great impact to improve the efficiency of islet transplantation in clinical settings by targeting donor islets rather than recipients.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HIV INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Summary. Women in Benue State have for years had the highest HIV rate in the country, but because the sentinel surveys are anonymized and unlinked, not much is known about the socio-demographic, behavioural and other risk factors that predispose these women to the disease. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria does not appear to be a single epidemic but rather multiple epidemics of varying magnitude and trends. This cross-sectional study was therefore carried out to identify the risk factors for HIV/AIDS among these women. A total of 404 consecutive consenting mothers enrolled at the booking clinic were followed up until delivery of their babies. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and tested for HIV infection using an ELISA-based kit after obtaining informed consent. Mean age of the mothers was 26±6·1 years, 94·8% were married while 50·5% had at least secondary level education. Sixty-one (15·1%) mothers were HIV positive with mothers aged 15–24 years being responsible for 50·8% of all infection. Following bivariate analysis, being single, having a partner with low level of formal education, living in a rural location, being in a polygamous/multiple partner union, being a higher order polygamous wife, being married more than once and reporting a history of a sexually transmitted infection were significantly associated with HIV infection. Monogamous women who lived apart from their partners and women who had ever had blood transfusion were also more likely to be HIV positive. Following multivariate logistic regression, a young age of 15–24 years (multivariate OR=3·3, 95% CI=1·2–8·4, p=0·02); ever had other STIs (OR=1·6, 95% CI 1·1–2·3, p=0·009); no formal maternal education (OR=0·6, 95% CI 0·4–0·9, p=0·021) and having one lifetime sexual partner (OR=0·4, 95% CI 0·3–0·5, p<0·00001) were significantly associated with HIV infection in the study population. Appropriate interventions must be directed at young people and should include STI control and abstinence education. Blood safety must be ensured as well as a general improvement in the level of formal and health education in this community.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk of Death from Infection

Background: Infection, bacteremia and sepsis are major sources of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. This study sought to determine the association between predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and infection-related mortality. Methods: We analyzed participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). The study included adults ≧45- years-old without end-stage renal disease. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was categorized as ≧60, 45–59.9 and <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) as <30, 30–299.9 and ≧300 mg/g. The study identified infection-related mortality, including septicemia, respiratory, abdominal and gastrointestinal, cardiac, kidney and genitourinary, neurologic, and other infections over a median of 13 years using the National Death Index. Results: Of 7,400 participants included in the study, 206 died from infections. Compared to individuals with eGFR ≧60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, infection-related mortality was higher for those with lower eGFR [adjusted HR = 1.36 (95% CI: 0.81, 2.30) and 2.36 (1.04, 5.38) for eGFR of 45–59.9 and <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively; p trend = 0.06]. Compared to individuals with ACR <30 mg/g, infection-related mortality was higher for ACR levels of 30–299 and ≧300 mg/g [adjusted HR = 1.68 (95% CI: 0.97, 2.92) and 2.84 (0.92, 8.74), p trend = 0.02]. Conclusions: Reduced eGFR and albuminuria are associated with increased risk for infection-related mortality. Efforts are needed to reduce its incidence and mitigate the effects of infections among individuals with CKD.
Monocyte CD40 Expression in Severe Sepsis

CD40 is a cell surface protein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Ligation of monocyte CD40 by the T cell-derived CD40 ligand can trigger the production of various mediators, the transcription and activation of enzymes, and the upregulation of costimulatory molecules involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis. To test the hypothesis that CD40 is expressed on the surface of monocytes during sepsis, we measured CD40 expression by flow cytometry on freshly sampled monocytes from 40 patients with severe sepsis, including 15 patients with bacteremia, and from eight healthy volunteers. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL) 6, IL-10, and IL-13 were also measured. We detected CD40 only on monocytes from patients with sepsis (mean 6.5 ± 0.4 median channel fluorescence). There was an inverse correlation between peak CD40 expression and survival (P = 0.05), particularly in the patients with bacteremia (P = 0.019). In the bacteremic group, there was an inverse correlation between CD40 expression and bilirubin levels (r2 = 0.52, P = 0.004) and plasma IL-6 concentrations (r2 = 0.30, P = 0.04). Our results showed that upregulation of CD40 expression on peripheral blood monocytes is a protective phenomenon during severe sepsis. Monocyte deactivation reflected by low CD40 expression may represent impairment of immune function associated with severity of illness and poor outcome. Further studies on monocyte phenotype and function may help to assess the immune status of patients with sepsis and perhaps be useful to guide immunomodulatory strategy in the future.
Longitudinal assessment of depression, stress, and burnout in medical students

Background: Medical students can and do suffer from mental disorders is a concept yet to get wide acceptance. There are few studies comprehensively evaluating depression, stress, and burnout in medical students, especially in a longitudinal way in India. The current study aims to assess the impact of medical education on the development of psychological morbidities and the role of personality. Materials and Methods: First-year medical students of a leading medical college of India were enrolled on admission and given anonymized, validated, self-administered questionnaires assessing depression, stress, burnout, and personality. This was repeated at the end of 1st year. Data were analyzed independently as questionnaires were anonymized. Results: We found that 1st year of medical college showed a significantly increasing depression (P < 0.01) and stress (P < 0.01). Overall burnout did not increase significantly. However, only disengagement dimension of burnout increased significantly. Personalities with weak capacity to adjust had a significant positive correlation with depression (r = 0.277, P< 0.001) and stress scores (r = 0.210, P= 0.008). However, burnout did not correlate with any of the personality dimensions. Conclusion: Right from the 1st year of medical education students perceive high-stress levels and have a high risk of depression. Burnout starts to creep in at least in the form of disengagement. This study provides a sound groundwork for planning interventions to reduce student's mental morbidity and avoid burnout.
Regulation of hepatic glutamine metabolism during exercise in the dog.

The goal of this study was to determine how liver glutamine (Gln) metabolism adapts to acute exercise in the 18-h-fasted dogs ( n = 7) and in dogs that were glycogen depleted by a 42-h fast ( n = 8). For this purpose, sampling (carotid artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein) and infusion (vena cava) catheters and Doppler flow probes (portal vein, hepatic artery) were implanted under general anesthesia. At least 16 days later an experiment, consisting of a 120-min equilibration period, a 30-min basal sampling period, and a 150-min exercise period was performed. At the start of the equilibration period, a constant-rate infusion of [5-15N]Gln was initiated. Arterial Gln flux was determined by isotope dilution. Gut and liver Gln release into and uptake from the blood were calculated by combining stable isotopic and arteriovenous difference methods. The results of this study show that 1) in the 18-h-fasted dog, ∼10% and ∼35% of the basal Gln appearance in arterial blood is due to Gln release from the gut and liver, respectively, whereas ∼30% and ∼25% of the basal Gln disappearance is due to removal by these tissues; 2) extending the fast to 42 h does not affect basal arterial Gln flux or the contribution of the gut to arterial Gln fluxes but decreases hepatic Gln release, causing a greater retention of gluconeogenic carbon by the liver; 3) moderate-intensity exercise increases hepatic Gln removal from the blood regardless of fast duration but does not affect the hepatic release of Gln; and 4) Gln plays an important role in channeling nitrogen into the ureagenic pathway in the basal state, and this role is increased by ∼80% in response to exercise. These studies illustrate the quantitative importance of the splanchnic bed contribution to arterial Gln flux during exercise and the ability of the liver to acutely adapt to changes in metabolic requirements induced by the combined effects of fasting and exercise.
Source location techniques in plate-like structures based on fiber coupler sensors

An improved optical fiber coupler sensor (OFCS) has been used for AE source location on plate-like structures with model acoustic emission (MAE) method, which provide a liner locating strategy with only one sensor. To identify flexural mode (A0) and longitude mode (S0) visibly, Gabor wavelet transform (GWT) has been introduced and applied on time-frequency analysis of AE signals. Based on MAE method, related location experiments are carried out by contrast with a piezoelectric transducer (PZT). Localization at 25 cm has been taken 13 times repeatedly and the results demonstrate the feasibility of the one sensor linear location scheme. Average relative errors and standard deviation of OFCS are 5.26% and 0.92 cm respectively, comparing to 7.06% and 1.03 cm of PZT. Results show that locating strategy by OFCS is more accurate than PZT, which provide the strong support for application of OFCS. Furthermore, a specific locating range has been investigated as distance between AE source and sensors are taken from 5 cm to 40 cm. The absolute location errors of OFCS between exact and evaluated distance are 0.38-2.31 cm, while absolute errors of PZT are 1.08-2.47 cm, which show that the locating performance of OFCS is somewhat better than PZT. Considering advantages of OFCS, it can be said OFCS is a great alternative sensor for AE source location in plate-like structures.
Simultaneous control of PTH and CaxP Is sustained over three years of treatment with cinacalcet HCl.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), leading to increased risk of morbidity and mortality. SHPT is a progressive disease often requiring long-term therapy to control parathyroid hormone (PTH) and mineral imbalances. Vitamin D sterols and phosphate binders, used as traditional therapies to lower PTH and phosphorus, may provide inadequate long-term control for many dialysis patients. Cinacalcet, by simultaneously lowering PTH, calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus levels, may maintain PTH and mineral balance in these individuals. However, as with traditional therapies, long-term data are limited. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENT: Dialysis subjects from at least one of five lead-in studies (double-blind placebo-controlled, including one extension trial) completing up to 52 wk of either cinacalcet or placebo were eligible for this open-label extension study, including an 8-wk dose titration (initiated at 30 mg/d), followed by 24-wk maintenance and up to 132 wk of follow-up. Final efficacy analysis was at week 180. RESULTS Three hundred thirty-four of 589 enrolled subjects received cinacalcet from the beginning of the lead-in study. Weekly median PTH values were < or =300 pg/ml (weeks 16 through 180) and median CaxP values were < or =55 mg(2)/dl(2) (weeks 4 through 180). Similar results were exhibited in the 255 subjects who initially received placebo. Among the patients exposed to cinacalcet from the beginning of the lead-in study, 3% of subjects exhibited treatment-related serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Cinacalcet effectively maintained PTH, Ca and P reductions in dialysis subjects for up to 180 wk.
Adoptive T-Cell Therapy for Cancer: Boutique Therapy or Treatment Modality?

Adoptive cellular therapy, involving the ex vivo enrichment and expansion of antigen-specific immune cells for adoptive transfer, has emerged as an increasingly effective modality for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer refractory to conventional therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 19(17); 4550–2. ©2013 AACR.
Predictors of hemorrhage in patients with untreated brain arteriovenous malformation

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage is a serious possible complication in patients with brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Several morphologic factors associated with hemorrhagic AVM presentation have been established, but their relevance for the risk of subsequent AVM hemorrhage remains unclear. Methods: The authors analyzed follow-up data on 622 consecutive patients from the prospective Columbia AVM database, limited to the period between initial AVM diagnosis and the start of treatment (i.e., any endovascular, surgical, or radiation therapy). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were applied to analyze the effect of patient age, gender, AVM size, anatomic location, venous drainage pattern, and associated arterial aneurysms on the risk of intracranial hemorrhage at initial presentation and during follow-up. Results: The mean pretreatment follow-up was 829 days (median: 102 days), during which 39 (6%) patients experienced AVM hemorrhage. Increasing age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08), initial hemorrhagic AVM presentation (HR 5.38, 95% CI 2.64 to 10.96), deep brain location (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.30 to 8.16), and exclusive deep venous drainage (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.67) were independent predictors of subsequent hemorrhage. Annual hemorrhage rates on follow-up ranged from 0.9% for patients without hemorrhagic AVM presentation, deep AVM location, or deep venous drainage to as high as 34.4% for those harboring all three risk factors. Conclusions: Hemorrhagic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) presentation, increasing age, deep brain location, and exclusive deep venous drainage appear to be independent predictors for AVM hemorrhage during natural history follow-up. The risk of spontaneous hemorrhage may be low in AVMs without these risk factors.
RNA‐dependent association of the Drosophila maleless protein with the male X chromosome

Background: Dosage compensation results in equivalent X‐linked gene expression in males (XY) and females (XX). In Drosophila, both X chromosomes are active in females, and the single male X must double its transcriptional activity to allow male development. Four proteins (encoded by the male‐specific lethal genes) are required for dosage compensation and associate with the X chromosome in males but not in females.
Goal attainment scaling: a direct comparison of alternative rating methods

Purpose: To compare two alternative rating systems for goal attainment scaling (GAS) intended to improve capture of goal underachievement. Setting: A tertiary inpatient neurorehabilitation unit. Design: Secondary comparative analysis of prospective cohort data. Participants: A total of 243 patients were included, with 977 goals between them; M:F ratio 146:97, mean age 44.8 (SD 14.2) years. Diagnosis: 200 (82%) acquired brain injury, 21 (9%) spinal cord injury, 22 (9%) other neurological conditions. Methods: Goal attainment scaling-rated achievement of 1—6 patient-selected goals was collected using the standard 5-point scale (—2 to +2) and formula to derive aggregated T-scores, as recommended by its originators. Two alternative 6-point rating systems were applied retrospectively. Version 1 set all baseline scores at ‘—2’ and added ‘—3’ to denote ‘worsening’. Version 2 added a ‘—0.5’ score to denote ‘partial achievement’ for goals starting at ‘—1’, without change to range or baseline scores. Results: Baseline scores were identical for standard rating and version 2 (median 34.9, interquartile range (IQR) 31.9—35.5), but lower for version 1 (median 21.0, IQR 19.8—22.6), which was reflected in the change scores. While median achieved T-scores were 50.0 for all three methods, version 2 marginally overestimated goal attainment (Wilcoxon z —6.8, P<0.001), while version 1 underestimated it (Wilcoxon z —7.2, P<0.001), in comparison with standard goal rating. Conclusion: Different goal rating methods may have significant impact on goal attainment scaling results. Version 2 provided the closest match to standard rating, supporting documentation of partial goal achievement without affecting score range. For analysis and reporting, ‘0.5’ scores should be converted to ‘—1’, to maintain parity with standard rating systems.