Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-inflammatory Effects of &ohgr;-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors in Angiotensin-II–Dependent Hypertension

Abstract: The mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive effects of long-chain &ohgr;-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (&ohgr;-3 PUFAs) are still unclear. The epoxides of an &ohgr;-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid epoxyeicosatrienoic acids also exhibit antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, we hypothesized that the major &ohgr;-3 PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may lower the blood pressure and attenuate renal markers of inflammation through their epoxide metabolites. Here, we supplemented mice with an &ohgr;-3 rich diet for 3 weeks in a murine model of angiotensin-II–dependent hypertension. Also, because EPA and DHA epoxides are metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), we tested the combination of an sEH inhibitor and the &ohgr;-3 rich diet. Our results show that &ohgr;-3 rich diet in combination with the sEH inhibitor lowered Ang-II, increased the blood pressure, further increased the renal levels of EPA and DHA epoxides, reduced renal markers of inflammation (ie, prostaglandins and MCP-1), downregulated an epithelial sodium channel, and upregulated angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 message and significantly modulated cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolic pathways. Overall, our findings suggest that epoxides of the &ohgr;-3 PUFAs contribute to lowering systolic blood pressure and attenuating inflammation in part by reduced prostaglandins and MCP-1 and by upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 in angiotensin-II–dependent hypertension.
Predictors of trust in the general science and climate science research of US federal agencies

In this article, we focus on a key strategic objective of scientific organizations: maintaining the trust of the public. Using data from a nationally representative survey of American adults (n = 1510), we assess the extent to which demographic factors and political ideology are associated with citizens’ trust in general science and climate science research conducted by US federal agencies. Finally, we test whether priming individuals to first consider agencies’ general science research influences trust in their climate science research, and vice versa. We found that federal agencies’ general science research is more trusted than their climate science research—although a large minority of respondents did not have an opinion—and that political ideology has a strong influence on public trust in federal scientific research. We also found that priming participants to consider general scientific research does not increase trust in climate scientific research. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
A Longitudinal Study of Hearing and Middle Ear Status of Individuals with Cleft Palate with and without Additional Malformations/Syndromes

Objective To describe and compare the middle ear status and hearing sensitivity in adolescence with isolated cleft palate plus additional malformations and/or syndromes with those with only an isolated cleft palate. Design Retrospective and longitudinal. Two groups of individuals with isolated cleft palate were compared. Participants A cohort of individuals born over 4 years in the western region of Sweden. The cohort was divided into one group with isolated cleft palate (n = 31; ICP) and one group with isolated cleft palate plus additional malformations and/or syndromes (n = 37; ICP+). Methods Middle ear status and hearing thresholds were collected from the medical records at 7, 10, 13, and 16 years of age, examined, and compared within and between groups over time. Results The ICP+ group demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal middle ear status and elevated hearing thresholds as compared with the ICP group. As the individuals aged, the prevalence of abnormal middle ear status decreased. The hearing levels in both groups decreased in the low to middle frequencies as individuals aged; however, the hearing in the high frequencies did not. Conclusions Individuals with cleft palate need to be followed routinely for middle ear status and hearing thresholds to ensure optimal audiological rehabilitation, with particular attention to those with additional malformations and/or syndromes.
Association of Polysensitization, Allergic Multimorbidity, and Allergy Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study of School Children

Background: Aeroallergen sensitization is related to the coexistence of allergic diseases, but the nature of this relationship is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship of polysensitization with allergic multimorbidities and the severity of allergic diseases. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of 3,368 Korean children aged 6-7 years-old. We defined IgE-mediated allergic diseases based on structured questionnaires, and classified the sensitivity to 18 aeroallergens by logistic regression and the Ward hierarchical clustering method. The relationship of polysensitization (positive IgE responses against 2 or more aeroallergens classes) with allergic multimorbidities (coexistence of 2 or more of the following allergic diseases: asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and conjunctivitis) and severity of allergic diseases was determined by ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results: The rate of polysensitization was 13.6% (n = 458, 95% CI 12.4-14.8) and that of allergic multimorbidity was 23.5% (n = 790, 95% CI 22.0-24.9). Children sensitized to more aeroallergens tended to have more allergic diseases (rho = 0.248, p < 0.001), although the agreement between polysensitization and multimorbidity was poor (kappa = 0.11, p < 0.001). The number allergen classes to which a child was sensitized increased the risk of wheezing attacks (1 allergen: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.22, 4 or more allergens: aOR 9.39), absence from school (1 allergen: aOR 1.96, 3 allergens: aOR 2.08), and severity of nasal symptoms (1 allergen: aOR 1.61, 4 or more allergens: aOR 4.38). Conclusion: Polysensitization was weakly related to multimorbidity. However, the number of allergens to which a child is sensitized is related to the severity of IgE-mediated symptoms.
Meta-analysis of Laparoscopic Versus Open Pyloromyotomy

Objective:To perform a meta-analysis of studies comparing open pyloromyotomy (OP) and laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) in the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Background:LP has become increasingly popular for the management of pyloric stenosis. Despite a decade of experience, the real benefit of LP over the open procedure remains unclear. Methods:Using a defined search strategy, studies directly comparing OP with LP were identified (n = 8). Data for infants treated by both approaches were extracted and used in our meta-analysis. OP and LP were compared in terms of complications, efficacy, operating time, and recovery time. Weighted mean difference (WMD) between continuous variables and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. For dichotomous data, relative risk (RR) and 95% CI were determined. Results:Only 3 studies were prospective, and just 1 study was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Mucosal perforations and incomplete pyloromyotomy were both more common with LP. Compared with OP, LP is associated with higher complication rate (RR 0.81 [0.5, 1.29], P = 0.4), similar operating time (WMD 1.52 minutes [−0.26, 3.29], P = 0.09), shorter time to full feeds (WMD 8.66 hours [7.25, 10.07], P < 0.00001), and shorter postoperative length of stay (WMD 7.03 hours [3.74, 10.32], P = 0.00003). Conclusions:OP is associated with fewer complications and higher efficacy. Recovery time appears significantly shorter following LP. A prospective randomized controlled trial is warranted to fully investigate these and other outcome measures.
Cerebral Blood Flow Improvement after Indirect Revascularization for Pediatric Moyamoya Disease: A Statistical Analysis of Arterial Spin-Labeling MRI

The authors evaluated 15 children treated by indirect cerebral revascularization with multiple burr-holes between 2011–2013. Arterial spin-labeling MR imaging and T1 sequences were analyzed under SPM8 before and after the operation (3 and 12 months). Group analysis showed statistically significant preoperative hypoperfusion in the MCA territory in the Moyamoya hemispheres and a significant increase of cerebral perfusion in the same territory after revascularization. The authors conclude that SPM analysis of arterial spin-labeling MR imaging offers a noninvasive evaluation of preoperative cerebral hemodynamic impairment and an objective assessment of postoperative improvement in children with Moyamoya disease. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The severity of Moyamoya disease is generally scaled with conventional angiography and nuclear medicine. Arterial spin-labeling MR imaging is now acknowledged for the noninvasive quantification of cerebral blood flow. This study aimed to analyze CBF modifications with statistical parametric mapping of arterial spin-labeling MR imaging in children undergoing an operation for Moyamoya disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 15 children treated by indirect cerebral revascularization with multiple burr-holes between 2011 and 2013. Arterial spin-labeling MR imaging and T1 sequences were then analyzed under SPM8, according to the general linear model, before and after the operation (3 and 12 months). Voxel-based analysis was performed at the group level, comparing all diseased hemispheres with all normal hemispheres and, at the individual level, comparing each patient with a control group. RESULTS: Group analysis showed statistically significant preoperative hypoperfusion in the MCA territory in the Moyamoya hemispheres and a significant increase of cerebral perfusion in the same territory after revascularization (P < .05 family-wise error–corrected). Before the operation, individual analysis showed significant hypoperfusion for each patient co-localized with the angiographic defect on DSA. All except 1 patient had improvement of CBF after revascularization, correlated with their clinical status. CONCLUSIONS: SPM analysis of arterial spin-labeling MR imaging offers a noninvasive evaluation of preoperative cerebral hemodynamic impairment and an objective assessment of postoperative improvement in children with Moyamoya disease.
Changes in Young Adult Primary Care Under the Affordable Care Act.

OBJECTIVES We sought to describe changes in young adults' routine care and usual sources of care (USCs), according to provider specialty, after implementation of extended dependent coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. METHODS We used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data from 2006 to 2012 to examine young adults' receipt of routine care in the preceding year, identification of a USC, and USC provider specialties (pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology). RESULTS The percentage of young adults who sought routine care increased from 42.4% in 2006 to 49.5% in 2012 (P < .001). The percentage identifying a USC remained stable at approximately 60%. Among young adults with a USC, there was a trend between 2006 and 2012 toward increasing percentages with pediatric (7.6% vs 9.1%) and family medicine (75.9% vs 80.9%) providers and declining percentages with internal medicine (11.5% vs 7.6%) and obstetrics and gynecology (5.0% vs 2.5%) providers. CONCLUSIONS Efforts under the ACA to increase health insurance coverage had favorable effects on young adults' use of routine care. Monitoring routine care use and USC choices in this group can inform primary care workforce needs and graduate medical education priorities across specialties.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of pseudohypertension in elderly patients prepared for coronary artery angiography

Background: Pseudohypertension (PHT) can cause adverse effects in the elderly owing to administration of antihypertension therapy. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of PHT in the elderly and associated risk factors to investigate a noninvasive method of detection of PHT. Methods: We recruited 151 patients (age ≥60 years) who underwent coronary angiography. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the patients. During coronary angiography, intrabrachial arterial pressure and indirect blood pressure were measured. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) was measured within 2 weeks after coronary angiography. Results: Based on the differences between the direct and indirect pressure measurements, the patients were divided into a PHT group (n = 87) and a non-PHT group (n = 64). The prevalence of PHT was 57.6%, and the development of PHT was significantly associated with older age. Serum creatinine level and creatinine clearance rate were significantly higher in the non-PHT group than in the PHT group (P < .05). In addition, the PHT group had significantly higher ba-PWV and pulse pressure (PP) than the non-PHT group (P < .05). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that ba-PWV (AUC = 0.783) and PP (AUC = 0.791) showed a relatively good diagnostic performance for PHT. Conclusions: PHT was present in most of the elderly who had indications for coronary angiography and associated with age and renal function. The data from the present study also suggested that both PP and ba-PWV could be used to positively predict PHT.
Identification of a novel pro-apopotic function of NF-κB in the DNA damage response

NF‐κB is activated by DNA‐damaging anticancer drugs as part of the cellular stress response. However, the consequences of drug‐induced NF‐κB activation are still only partly understood. To investigate the impact of NF‐κB on the cell’s response to DNA damage, we engineered glioblastoma cells that stably express mutant IκBα superrepressor (IκBα‐SR) to block NF‐κB activation. Here, we identify a novel pro‐apoptotic function of NF‐κB in the DNA damage response in glioblastoma cells. Chemotherapeutic drugs that intercalate into DNA and inhibit topoisomerase II such as Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin and Mitoxantrone stimulate NF‐κB DNA binding and transcriptional activity prior to induction of cell death. Importantly, specific inhibition of drug‐induced NF‐κB activation by IκBα‐SR or RNA interference against p65 significantly reduces apoptosis upon treatment with Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin or Mitoxantrone. NF‐κB exerts this pro‐apoptotic function especially after pulse drug exposure as compared to continuous treatment indicating that the contribution of NF‐κB becomes relevant during the recovery phase following the initial DNA damage. Mechanistic studies show that NF‐κB inhibition does not alter Doxorubicin uptake and efflux or cell cycle alterations. Genetic silencing of p53 by RNA interference reveals that NF‐κB promotes drug‐induced apoptosis in a p53‐independent manner. Intriguingly, drug‐mediated NF‐κB activation results in a significant increase in DNA damage prior to the induction of apoptosis. By demonstrating that NF‐κB promotes DNA damage formation and apoptosis upon pulse treatment with DNA intercalators, our findings provide novel insights into the control of the DNA damage response by NF‐κB in glioblastoma.
Anchor Me: The Benefits and Challenges of Fiscal Responsibility

This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of implementing a rule-based fiscal responsibility framework, using the Philippines as a case study. It estimates structural measures of the fiscal stance over the period 1980–2016 and applies a stochastic simulation model to determine the optimal set of fiscal rules. The empirical analysis indicates that discretionary fiscal policy has been procyclical, and the degree of procyclicality has increased in recent years. While the national government’s non-binding ceiling on the overall budget deficit is helpful, it does not constitute an appropriate operational target to guide fiscal policy over the economic cycle and necessarily ensure that the fiscal stance meets the government’s intertemporal budget constraint. To this end, using stochastic simulations, this paper makes the case for a well-designed fiscal responsibility law that enshrines explicit fiscal rules designed for countercyclical policy and long-term debt sustainability, and an independent fiscal council to improve accountability and transparency.
Cell Phenotype-specific Down-regulation of Smad3 Involves Decreased Gene Activation as Well as Protein Degradation*

Signaling by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a regulator of several biological processes, including renal fibrosis, is mediated, in part, by the Smad proteins. Tight control of Smad level and activity is critical for proper TGF-β biological functions. Here, we have investigated the mechanisms involved in regulating Smad3 expression. In human glomerular mesangial cells, Smad3 protein levels were specifically reduced by 24 h of TGF-β1 treatment, whereas Smad2 and Smad4 levels were not. TGF-β1 increased endogenous Smad3 ubiquitination, and proteasome inhibitor treatment blocked TGF-β1-mediated Smad3 down-regulation resulting in accumulation of ubiquitinated Smad3. These data support the concept that Smad3 down-regulation occurs via degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome machinery. However, changes in Smad3 protein levels were also paralleled by changes in Smad3 mRNA expression. TGF-β1 did not decrease Smad3 mRNA stability, but it significantly inhibited Smad3 promoter activity. In renal tubular epithelial cells, decreased Smad3 levels were observed only after exposure to TGF-β1 for longer time periods (5–7 days) that paralleled epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as determined by increased expression of smooth muscle α-actin and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Decline in Smad3 expression also occurred in kidneys after unilateral ureteral obstruction, a model of tubulointerstitial fibrosis associated with TGF-β up-regulation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Our data show for the first time that TGF-β1 modulates the expression of a receptor-activated Smad at both the protein and transcriptional level. Smad3 down-regulation could represent a feedback loop controlling TGF-β signaling in a cell phenotype-specific manner.
An Empirical Implementation of the Ross Recovery Theorem as a Prediction Device

Building on the method of Ludwig (2015) to construct robust state price density surfaces from snapshots of option prices, we develop a nonparametric estimation strategy based on the recovery theorem of Ross (2015). Using options on the S&P 500, we then investigate whether or not recovery yields predictive information beyond what can be gleaned from risk-neutral densities. Over the 13 year period from 2000 to 2012, we find that market timing strategies based on recovered moments outperform those based on risk-neutral moments.
Satisfaction of trainees of Saudi Diploma Family Medicine, Saudi Arabia

Abstract This paper aims to assess trainees’ satisfaction with the process and assessment aspects of the Saudi Diploma of Family Medicine (SDFM). This cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2015 among trainees undertaking the SDFM. A questionnaire was distributed to all trainees in four examination centres in Saudi Arabia, under the supervision and guidance of the investigators (four members of the scientific committee of SDFM). There was a total of 97 participants in this study, the majority of whom were Saudis. More than 85% were satisfied with most elements of training including; an adequate number and variety of patients and cases, allocating time for training, giving regular written evaluation. Satisfaction with mentoring and giving constructive feedback scored less well and trainees were less satisfied with some hospital clinical rotations, which requires further exploration.
Virtual reality as a distraction intervention for women receiving chemotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the use of virtual reality as a distraction intervention to relieve symptom distress in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. DESIGN Crossover study. SETTING The outpatient clinic of a midwestern comprehensive cancer center. SAMPLE 20 women 18-55 years of age. METHODS Using a crossover design, 20 subjects served as their own controls. For two matched chemotherapy treatments, one pretest and two post-test measures were employed. Participants were assigned randomly to receive the virtual reality distraction intervention during one chemotherapy treatment and received no distraction intervention (control condition) during an alternate chemotherapy treatment. An open-ended questionnaire elicited each subject's evaluation of the intervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Symptom distress, fatigue, anxiety. FINDINGS Significant decreases in symptom distress and fatigue occurred immediately following chemotherapy treatments when women used the virtual reality intervention. CONCLUSIONS The distraction intervention decreased symptom distress, was well received, and was easy to implement in the clinical setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nursing interventions to manage chemotherapy-related symptom distress can improve patient quality of life and increase chances for survival by reducing treatment-related symptom distress and enhancing patients' ability to adhere to treatment regimens and cope with their disease.
Measurement of exhaled hydrogen peroxide from rabbit lungs

Abstract Exhaled H2O2 is considered an indicator of lung inflammatory and oxidative stress. Moreover, H2O2 may be involved in signal transduction processes. It is not fully elucidated to what extent (i) H2O2 escapes from the intravascular compartment, and (ii) pulmonary H2O2 generation and nasopharyngeal H2O2 generation contribute to exhaled H2O2. We investigated H2O2 concentrations in breath condensate from isolated bufferperfused and ventilated rabbit lungs, and from both intubated and spontaneously breathing rabbits with a horseradish peroxidase/ 2,7dichlorofluorescin assay. For the perfused lungs, a H2O2 concentration of 58±19 nM was found. Addition of H2O2 to the buffer fluid resulted in only minute appearance in the exhaled air (<0.001%). Levels of exhaled H2O2 in intubated rabbits and perfused lungs were virtually identical. Nearly tenfold higher levels were detected in spontaneously breathing rabbits. Decreasing the inspired oxygen concentration from 21% to 1% resulted in a tendency toward decreased H2O2 exhalation in perfused lungs. In contrast, phorbol-12-myristate-13- acetate (PMA) prompted a ~4-fold increase in H2O2 exhalation. We conclude that the horseradish peroxidase/ 2',7'dichlorofluorescin assay is a feasible technique to measure H2O2 in exhaled breath condensate in rabbits. When collecting exhaled air via the tracheal tube, the signal represents pulmonary H2O2 generation with the contribution of the remaining body being negligible.
Industrial competition and Earnings Quality in Indonesia

This study examines how the industrial competition affects earnings quality. Our study supports the idea of declining earnings quality when firms' risk increases. We expect that low industrial competition or high market concentration decrease firms' risk by generating more stable revenue for companies. This condition stimulates increasing earnings response coefficient (ERC). Generally, using data from Indonesia, our results show that market concentration affects the relation between earnings surprise and excess return. Further, we find that firms in industries with high market concentration generate higher ERC, especially for profit firms. It means, investors are more likely to use positive earnings data for firms in high market concentration industries in reacting earnings surprise. Our paper contributes to market concentration and ERC studies, especially in Indonesia as one of emerging markets. Low industrial competition improves earnings informativeness.