Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise and Weight Loss Improve Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration, Lipid Partitioning, and Insulin Sensitivity After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Both Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and exercise can improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with severe obesity. However, the impact of RYGB with or without exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondria, intramyocellular lipids, and insulin sensitivity index (SI) is unknown. We conducted a randomized exercise trial in patients (n = 101) who underwent RYGB surgery and completed either a 6-month moderate exercise (EX) or a health education control (CON) intervention. SI was determined by intravenous glucose tolerance test. Mitochondrial respiration and intramyocellular triglyceride, sphingolipid, and diacylglycerol content were measured in vastus lateralis biopsy specimens. We found that EX provided additional improvements in SI and that only EX improved cardiorespiratory fitness, mitochondrial respiration and enzyme activities, and cardiolipin profile with no change in mitochondrial content. Muscle triglycerides were reduced in type I fibers in CON, and sphingolipids decreased in both groups, with EX showing a further reduction in a number of ceramide species. In conclusion, exercise superimposed on bariatric surgery–induced weight loss enhances mitochondrial respiration, induces cardiolipin remodeling, reduces specific sphingolipids, and provides additional improvements in insulin sensitivity.
Blinatumomab: enlisting serial killer T-cells in the war against hematologic malignancies

Introduction: The approval of blinatumomab signals the long awaited arrival of immunotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Previous options for relapsed or refractory disease were restricted to cytotoxic chemotherapy with limited efficacy and significant toxicity. Through an innovative mechanism of action, blinatumomab stimulates a polyclonal antitumor T-cell response, yielding unprecedented single agent efficacy in the relapsed/refractory setting. Success comes at the cost of immunological toxicities rarely encountered with previous therapies and challenging administration logistics requiring clinical expertise. Areas covered: All published clinical and preclinical studies using blinatumomab were reviewed in addition to all registered ongoing clinical trials and data published in abstract form. The search was limited to the English language. The pharmacology, clinical efficacy, toxicity profile, and logistical considerations for drug administration are discussed. Expert opinion: Blinatumomab is an exciting addition to the treatment armamentarium for relapsed/refractory ALL, yet several questions remain regarding optimal implementation into the current treatment paradigm. A unique toxicity profile should be weighed against promising benefits in a poor prognosis population. Other emerging therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cells and inotuzumab ozogamicin, with different side effect profiles and administration schedules, may prove to be more beneficial for specific patient populations.
Inaccurate Weight Perception Is Associated With Extreme Weight-Management Practices in US High School Students

Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine whether adolescents’ weight perception accuracy (WPA) was associated with extreme weight-management practices (EWPs) in differing body mass index (BMI) categories. Methods: WPA, overassessment, and underassessment were determined by comparing self-reported BMI and weight perception among US high school students in the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. BMI was classified as follows: underweight (<5th percentile), healthy weight (5th to <85th), overweight (≥85th to <95th), and obese (≥95th). WPA was considered inaccurate if BMI and weight perception were discordant. Overassessors thought they were heavier than they were (among underweight/healthy groups); underassessors thought they were lighter than they were (among healthy/overweight/obese groups). EWPs included ≥1 of fasting, use of diet pills, or purging/laxative use. Logit models were fitted for different BMI sex strata. Results: In the final sample of 14,722 US high school students with complete data, 20.2%, 85.7%, 5.8%, and 80.9% of those who were underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese, inaccurately assessed their weight, respectively. In turn, 11.4% and 17.6% of accurate and inaccurate assessors engaged in EWPs, respectively. After adjustment, underweight girls who overassessed their weight had 12.6 times higher odds of EWPs (95% confidence interval 3.4–46.6). Moreover, there were elevated odds of EWPs among healthy weight students who overassessed their weight. Conclusions: Overassessing healthy weight students and underweight girls had higher odds of ≥1 EWPs, likely related to an unhealthy desire to lose weight. The present study demonstrates a need to further educate clinicians on WPA and its relation to EWPs even among those of healthy weight who may be seen as not at risk.
The Trans‐Atlantic Slave Trade and Local Political Fragmentation in Africa

I examine the possibility that the trans-Atlantic slave trades influenced the political institutions of villages and towns in precolonial Africa. Using anthropological data, I show that villages and towns of ethnic groups with higher slave exports were more politically fragmented during the precolonial era. I use instrumental variables to show that the relationship is at least partly causal. I argue this fragmentation is important for relative economic development because it still influences political institutions today. I support this argument by using more contemporary data to show that areas with higher precolonial political fragmentation have a higher incidence of bribery.
Cutaneous Manifestations in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure on Hemodialysis

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) may exhibit various cutaneous abnormalities, including changes in skin colour, pruritus, xerosis, hair, nail and oral changes, metastatic calcinosis, and bullous dermatosis. These changes have a considerable negative effect on the patient's quality of life. Early recognition of cutaneous signs and prompt initiation of treatment can dramatically alter their course and decrease morbidity.
Protein ingestion to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis requires greater relative protein intakes in healthy older versus younger men.

BACKGROUND Adequate protein ingestion-mediated stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) is required to maintain skeletal muscle mass. It is currently unknown what per meal protein intake is required to maximally stimulate the response in older men and whether it differs from that of younger men. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from our laboratories that measured MPS in healthy older (~71 years) and younger (~22 years) men by primed constant infusion of l-ring-[(13)C6]phenylalanine after ingestion of varying amounts (0-40 g) of high-quality dietary protein as a single bolus and normalized to body mass and, where available, lean body mass (LBM). RESULTS There was no difference (p = .53) in basal MPS rates between older (0.027±0.04%/h; means ± 95% CI) and young (0.028 ± 0.03%/h) men. Biphase linear regression and breakpoint analysis revealed the slope of first line segment was lower (p < .05) in older men and that MPS reached a plateau after ingestion of 0.40 ± 0.19 and 0.24 ± 0.06 g/kg body mass (p = .055) and 0.60 ± 0.29 and 0.25 ± 0.13 g/kg lean body mass (p < .01) in older and younger men, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of the relative (to body weight) protein ingested dose response of MPS in younger and older men. Our data suggest that healthy older men are less sensitive to low protein intakes and require a greater relative protein intake, in a single meal, than young men to maximally stimulate postprandial rates of MPS. These results should be considered when developing nutritional solutions to maximize MPS for the maintenance or enhancement of muscle mass with advancing age.
Characterization of the inhibition of excitatory amino acid-induced neurotransmitter release in the rat striatum by phencyclidine-like drugs.

In the present study, the authors found that, in Mg++-free buffer, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was able to evoke the Ca++-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive release of striatal acetylcholine (ACh), presumably via interaction with receptors on cholinergic interneurons. In Mg++-free buffer containing pargyline, NMDA also evoked a Ca++-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive release of striatal [3H]dopamine (DA). Phencyclidine (PCP) and physiological concentrations of Mg++ (1.2 mM) also inhibited ACh release evoked by L-glutamate, L-aspartate and DL-homocysteate, but not ACh release evoked by the glutamate analogs quisqualate and kainate, suggesting that PCP is selective for the magnesium-sensitive, NMDA-preferring glutamate-aspartate receptor subtype. Comparison of PCP inhibition of NMDA-stimulated ACh and DA release with that produced by the competitive NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate indicates that PCP is probably not altering release by a direct action on the NMDA recognition site. The ability of 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, but not PCP, to prevent desensitization of NMDA-induced ACh release is consistent with this interpretation. Binding studies did, however, reveal a reduction in the apparent affinity of the PCP binding site by high concentrations of NMDA. This may suggest an allosteric link between the PCP-sigma receptor and the NMDA-type glutamate-aspartate receptor. The receptors mediating excitatory amino acid-induced DA release were somewhat less selective than those on cholinergic neurons in their sensitivity to both Mg++ and PCP. Structure-activity-relationship studies suggested that the inhibition off ACh and DA release evoked by NMDA involves biding to the PCP-sigma receptor. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Risk of Mortality or Cerebral Palsy in Twins: A Collaborative Population-Based Study

The purpose of the paper was to describe demographic and clinical factors associated with fetal or neonatal death or cerebral palsy (CP) in twins. Vital statistics from five populations in the United States and Australia, which included information on CP diagnosed after 1 y of age. Information on zygosity was not available. In 1,141,351 births, 25,772 of whom were twins, significant secular trends from 1980 to 1989 included increasing prevalence of twins, increasing proportion of unlike-sex twins, and increasing maternal age. Overall, twins were at an approximately 5-fold increased risk of fetal death, 7-fold increased risk of neonatal death, and 4-fold increased risk of CP compared with singletons. However, at birth weight <2500 g, twins generally did better than singletons, both with respect to mortality and to CP rates. Second-born twins and twins from same-sex pairs were at increased risk of early death but not of CP. Twins from growth-discordant pairs and twins whose co-twin died were at increased risk of both mortality and CP. The highest rates of CP were in surviving twins whose co-twin was still-born (4.7%), died shortly after birth (6.3%) or had CP (11.8%). In this large data set spanning a 10-y period, overall rates of death or cerebral palsy were higher in twins than singletons, although small twins generally did better than small singletons. Co-twin death was a strong predictor of CP in surviving twins. This risk was the same for same- and different-sex pairs, and observed both for preterm and term infants.
Towards a universal value scale for quantifying the quality of speech communication across services

This paper reports on ongoing work in ITU-T Study Group 12 on developing a universal scale quantifying quality across different types of speech communication services. In contrast to a quality rating scale, this scale should be deliberated from the judgment context as far as possible. As a consequence, it should be possible to compare different types of services on such a scale, in order to justify investments made in comparison to QoE gains to be expected. The paper explains the underlying rationale of such a scale, defines the requirements it has to fulfill, and outlines the way to its derivation. It invites further discussion to this work item of ITU-T Study Group 12, and could serve as an example for other types of services.
Intercostal and pectoral nerve transfers to re-innervate the biceps muscle in obstetric brachial plexus lesions

In obstetric brachial plexus lesions with avulsion injury, nerve grafting for biceps muscle re-innervation may not be possible owing to the unavailability of a proximal stump. In such cases, the intercostal nerves or medial pectoral nerve can serve as donor nerves in an end-to-end transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve. The present study reports the results of both techniques from a single institution in a consecutive series of 42 patients between 1995 and 2008. From 1995 to 2000 we always used the intercostal nerve transfer, and from 2001 to 2008 both techniques were used. Biceps muscle force ≥Medical Research Council Grade 3 was achieved in 37 of 42 patients after a mean follow-up of 44 months. There was no statistical difference in the results in the medial pectoral nerve transfer group (n = 25) and the intercostal nerve transfer group (n = 17).
Maternal HIV infection influences the microbiome of HIV-uninfected infants

Maternal HIV infection may affect the infant’s microbiome, and this may contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality of HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. Influencing the infant microbiome Annually, there are more than 1 million children born to HIV-infected women. Most of these children do not acquire HIV infection, but they experience twice the mortality of children born to HIV-negative women. Bender et al. now report that maternal HIV infection was associated with changes in the microbiome of these HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. Furthermore, they observed that human breast milk oligosaccharides were associated with specific bacterial species in the infant microbiome. The disruption of the HIV-exposed infant’s microbiome may contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality of these infants. More than 1 million HIV-exposed, uninfected infants are born annually to HIV-positive mothers worldwide. This growing population of infants experiences twice the mortality of HIV-unexposed infants. We found that although there were very few differences seen in the microbiomes of mothers with and without HIV infection, maternal HIV infection was associated with changes in the microbiome of HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. Furthermore, we observed that human breast milk oligosaccharides were associated with bacterial species in the infant microbiome. The disruption of the infant’s microbiome associated with maternal HIV infection may contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality of HIV-exposed, uninfected infants.
Anatomy of women’s participation in small professional unions

This article brings the neglected topic of small professional unions into the women and unions literature. In addition to an overview of women’s representation and gender equality strategies in small professional UK unions, it offers a contextually grounded analysis of barriers and enablers of women’s participation in Napo – the union representing professional workers in the probation service. The article identifies several enablers: healthy levels of women’s representation over a long period of time; presence and longevity of gender equality strategies; a strong occupational identity; occupational values that complement those of unionism. However, a highly pressured work environment and hostile industrial relations climate create lived insecurities, work–life imbalance and time poverty, which have constrained women professionals’ union participation.
Sarcoidosis: an update on current pharmacotherapy options and future directions

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the development of non-caseating epitheloid granulomas. The lungs are the most commonly involved organ (>90% of cases), followed by the lymph nodes, the skin, and the eyes. Areas covered: This review summarizes current pharmacotherapy options and future directions for the development of new therapies. Glucocorticoids are the first-line therapy for sarcoidosis. For patients with the most severe forms of sarcoidosis (who will need glucocorticoids for long periods) and for those intolerant or refractory, immunosuppressive drugs are used as sparing agents. The management of extrathoracic sarcoidosis must be tailored to the specific organ or organs involved; however, there is limited data from controlled trials to guide the treatment of these patients. The emergence of biological therapies has increased the therapeutic armamentarium available to treat sarcoidosis, with monoclonal anti-TNF agents being the most promising, but their use is still limited by a lack of licensing and costs. Expert commentary: The treatment of sarcoidosis is still not totally standardized. New effective therapies are urgently needed to enable the reduction or replacement of long-term therapy with glucocorticoids in patients with sarcoidosis.
Bayes prediction of wind gusts for Wind Power Plants Reliability Estimation

For an efficient Wind Power Plants Reliability Estimation, the extreme gusts are the most important features of wind speed statistics, in order to quantify the destruction brought about by extreme winds. With the purpose of characterizing these destructive wind forces, which are random in nature, an appropriate stochastic model is adopted in the paper. Such model is based upon the probabilistic modeling of gusts occurrence by means of a Poisson Process, while the amplitude of extreme gust wind speeds is modeled by means of suitable extreme value distributions. This approach yields an appropriate “safety function” of the structure, which is defined as the probability that the stochastic process: “largest extreme gust amplitude” is smaller than a given threshold value, in a given time interval. Such safety function can be easily converted into a “safety horizon” (SH), i.e. a time interval in which the WGA smaller than a given threshold value z, with a given high probability value p. If z is chosen as the maximum value of the WGA that the structure can resist, then the SH is an efficient measure (i.e., an opportune quantile) of the time to failure of the structure.
Human mast cells express stem cell factor

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a major cytokine regulator of mast cell growth and function. The present study demonstrates that human mast cells are able to produce SCF. Constitutive synthesis of SCF mRNA was seen in the mast cells isolated from human lung and skin by RT‐PCR. This was confirmed by in situ hybridization in conjunctival mast cells of both tryptase‐only (MCT) and tryptase/chymase (MCTC) subsets. SCF protein product was found in conjunctival MCT and MCTC mast cells by immunohistochemistry. Soluble SCF protein was detected in the culture supernatant of isolated lung mast cells by ELISA, and cross‐linkage of IgE receptor (Fcε–RI) on the lung mast cells in culture did not alter SCF mRNA expression, or the secreted soluble SCF protein. This was consistent with the finding that levels of SCF mRNA expression in conjunctival mast cells were similar between normal subjects and patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC). This study shows that human mast cells themselves are a cellular source of SCF, as well as being target cells for this growth factor. SCF may regulate mast cell growth and function via both paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. The production of SCF by mast cells may be regulated via mechanisms other than IgE receptor‐mediated pathways. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating a Corpus of Root Causes and Measures to Guide RCA Processes in Critical Software

Reducing defects in critical systems is a challenge faced every day by industry experts and researchers in the dependability and quality assurance fields. However, the state of the art and practice of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is largely ad hoc. In this paper we develop a corpus of root causes that are evaluated across a broad survey in the industry and academia. The results provide several key insights including: 1) a broad schema of root causes and actions, leveraging our prior work on real defects in critical systems: 2) understanding on the relevance and value of potential root causes, measures and the RCA process as seen by industry experts across aerospace, safety and academia, 3) detailed insights into the different causes, development measures and their acceptance and importance, 4) survey results providing an invaluable input baseline for further analytical work, and 5) recommendation for an RCA process and data collection schema that could be more widely used and shared across the critical software community.
The Impact of the Medicaid Expansions for Pregnant Women: A Synthesis of the Evidence

This article provides a comprehensive review of the published literature on the impact of expanding Medicaid for pregnant women to higher income groups of women. The major expansions took place between April 1987 and July 1989. These studies show evidence that new groups of pregnant women received health insurance coverage through Medicaid, and that some women received improved prenatal care services. The evidence is much weaker that the expansions led to improved birth outcomes. The fact that other parts of the developed world have experienced sustained declines in infant mortality without expansions of health insurance coverage points to the complexity in the origins of poor birth outcomes. It is possible that the benefits from the Medicaid expansions were merely victories in small battles within a much larger war that remains to be won.
Low‐grade lymphoma of mucosa‐associated tissue in the parotid gland: A case report of fine‐needle aspiration cytology diagnosis using flow cytometric immunophenotyping

A 66‐year‐old woman with Sjögren's syndrome for 7 years presented with an enlarged right parotid gland. The left parotid gland, which showed myoepithelial sialadenitis (MESA), had been resected 4 years earlier. A fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the right parotid gland was performed. Examination of the smears revealed cells of intermediate size with a round‐to‐irregular nuclear outline and distinct pale cytoplasm intermixed with small mature round lymphocytes. The chromatin was slightly paler and less clumped than in small mature lymphocytes. A small inconspicuous nucleolus was seen in most of the cells. Flow cytometry immunophenotyping performed on the FNA biopsy material showed a monoclonal population of B cells with kappa light chain restriction. The cytomorphology coupled with the immunophenotyping study in this clinical context suggested the diagnosis of low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Extensive staging work‐up revealed no evidence of disseminated disease. The right parotid gland was surgically excised. Histology and gene rearrangement studies confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a low‐grade lymphoma of MALT in a salivary gland to be diagnosed by FNA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 16:345–349, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.