Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marginal dietary protein restriction reduced nonprotein nitrogen, but not protein nitrogen, components of human milk.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine whether marginal dietary protein intakes of lactating women alter their milk production and composition. The study followed the observation that marginal dietary protein intakes lead to significantly negative nitrogen balances in these women. METHODS Twenty-four healthy, mature lactating women were divided evenly into three groups on the basis of postpartum times; 1, 5, or 12 months. Each woman was given a controlled protein diet of either 1.5 (HP) or 1.0 (MP) g/kg body weight/day for 7 to 10 days. Milk production was measured for 72 hours by test weighing the infant before and after feeding. Milk samples from alternate breasts were collected for 24 hours, pooled, and analyzed for their protein nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, free and protein-bound amino acid, and lactoferrin concentrations. RESULTS Reduced dietary protein intakes were associated with a decrease (p < 0.05) in the nonprotein nitrogen and total free amino acid fractions of milk. Although urea was unaffected, the concentrations of milk free leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, and ornithine were lower (p < 0.05) in the MP than in the HP group, while the output of leucine and histidine tended to be lower in the MP group. The amount of milk produced, as well as the amounts of protein nitrogen, protein-bound amino acid, and lactoferrin and their concentrations were unaffected by a reduction of dietary protein. CONCLUSIONS Maternal milk production and the protein nitrogen, but not the nonprotein nitrogen, fraction of human milk were relatively well-preserved in the presence of a short-term, marginal reduction of dietary protein.
Activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 5 may play a neuroprotective role in hippocampal CA3/DG region after cerebral ischemia

Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), the newest member of the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase family of proteins, is widely expressed in many tissues, including the brain. Here we investigated the activation and subcellular localization of ERK5 by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry as well as its potential role following cerebral ischemia in rat hippocampus. Transient cerebral ischemia was induced by the four‐vessel occlusion method in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Our results first indicated that the strongly activated ERK5 immunoreactivity was seen in the CA3/DG region but not in the CA1 pyramidal cell of rat hippocampus following reperfusion. In cytosol extracts, ERK5 activation was rapidly increased, with a peak at 30 min, and then gradually decreased to basal level at 3 days of reperfusion. In nucleus extracts, both phospho‐ERK5 and its protein expression were persistently enhanced during the later reperfusion period (from 6 hr to 3 days). To elucidate further the possible role of ERK5 activation and subcellular localization in ischemic insult, rats were intraperitoneally administrated with nifedipine (ND) and dextromethorphan (DM), inhibitors of two types of calcium channels, 20 min prior to ischemia. Our findings showed that ND or DM significantly reduced activated ERK5 immunoreactivity in the nucleus and that most of the CA3/DG neurons were lost 3 days later. Most importantly, intracerebroventricular infusion of ERK5 antisense oligonucleotides (AS; every 24 hr for 3 days before ischemia), but not sense oligonucleotides or vehicle, not only markedly decreased the level of ERK5 and p‐ERK5 but also largely caused neuronal loss in the CA3/DG region at 3 days of reperfusion. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that ERK5 was selectively activated in the hippocampal CA3/DG region and subsequently translocated from the cytosol to the nucleus through activation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor and L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel, which might act as an important survival signal in ischemia‐induced neuronal cell damage of the CA3/DG region. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A physiologically relevant atherogenic diet causes severe endothelial dysfunction within 4 weeks in rabbit

A physiological atherogenic human diet consists of 0.1% cholesterol, fat, as well as high levels of methionine, which is the precursor to homocysteine. The pathological effects of a diet enriched with physiologically high levels of cholesterol, methionine and fat over a short period on the aorta are unknown. In this regard, we sought to determine the effects of a 0.1% cholesterol diet in combination with a 1% methionine over a 4‐week period on endothelial function and artery pathology and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase as well as nitrosative stress by nitrotyrosine (NT), oxidative stress by heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and endoplasmic reticulum stress by glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78). Rabbits were fed for 4 weeks a diet supplemented with 1% methionine + 0.1% cholesterol + 5% peanut oil (MC). The endothelial function of the abdominal aorta was examined using organ bath techniques, atherosclerosis determined in each artery by microscopy and eNOS, NT, GRP78 and HSP70 by standard immunohistochemistry. Endothelium dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine significantly decreased by 63% at 1 μM acetylcholine (P < 0.001) compared with control arteries. There was no evidence of atherosclerosis formation in any artery studied, however, eNOS, NT and GRP78 was clearly present in all arteries studied but HSP70 was not easily detectable. Severe endothelial dysfunction is present in the abdominal aorta of rabbits within 4 weeks of physiological dietary manipulation, possibly due to NT formation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This model could be used to study the early onset of endothelial dysfunction prior to the initiation of atherosclerosis.
Export pricing and the macroeconomic effects of US import tariffs

We modify NiGEM in order to study the macroeconomic effects of imposing import tariffs in the US under different assumptions regarding the long-run price setting behaviour of exporters. Overall, the macroeconomic implications in the US resemble the impact of a cost shock or adverse supply shock as prices increase while output declines. Due to exchange rate movements and changes in the prices of traded goods, prices and output in other economies tend to move in the same direction. We demonstrate that the size and persistence of the macroeconomic impact following the introduction of new tariffs critically hinge upon the specific assumptions underlying the behaviour of export prices. If foreign exporters are concerned about their net-of-tariff prices, there will be little adjustment after the initial surge in tariff-inclusive export prices. As a result, the adverse macroeconomic impact will be large and persistent both in the US and abroad. While additional government spending financed by tariff revenues could mitigate the adverse impact on the protectionist economy in the short run, retaliation by its trading partners would worsen the outcome. Our simulations also raise doubts about the ability of protectionist measures to rein in global imbalances.
Mobile payment framework for the unbanked Filipinos

One of the best methods to reach geographically remote and unbanked population is through mobile services. With the prevalent use of mobile phones, most parts of the ASEAN countries can be reached and this is a promising setting for mobile payment growth. One such country is the Philippines. This study conducted a quantitative research via online survey among the unbanked Filipinos to determine the factors that influence the intention to use mobile payment services. The motivation for this quest is the extremely low usage of mobile payment services reported by the World Bank Global Findex which indicated that only four percent of the adult population have an active mobile payment account. A new theoretical framework is suggested to study this phenomenon using adaptations of the UTAUT2.
Mice Are Protected from Helicobacter pylori Infection by Nasal Immunization with AttenuatedSalmonella typhimurium phoPc Expressing Urease A and B Subunits

ABSTRACT Live Salmonella typhimurium phoPc bacteria were tested as mucosal vaccine vectors to deliver Helicobacter pylori antigens. The genes encoding the A and B subunits ofH. pylori urease were introduced into S. typhimurium phoPc and expressed under the control of a constitutive tac promoter (tac-ureAB) or a two-phase T7 expression system (cT7-ureAB). Both recombinant Salmonella strains expressed the two urease subunits in vitro and were used to nasally immunize BALB/c mice. The plasmid carrying cT7-ureAB was stably inherited by bacteria growing or persisting in the spleen, lungs, mesenteric or cervical lymph nodes, and Peyer’s patches of immunized mice, while the plasmid carrying tac-ureAB was rapidly lost. Spleen and Peyer’s patch CD4+ lymphocytes from mice immunized with S. typhimurium phoPccT7-ureAB proliferated in vitro in response to urease, whereas cells from mice given S. typhimurium phoPc alone did not. Splenic CD4+ cells from mice immunized with phoPccT7-ureAB secreted gamma interferon and interleukin 10, while Peyer’s patch CD4+ cells did not secrete either cytokine. Specific H. pylori anti-urease immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2A antibodies were detected following immunization, confirming that both Th1- and Th2-type immune responses were generated by the live vaccine. Sixty percent of the mice (9 of 15) immunized with S. typhimurium phoPc cT7-ureAB were found to be resistant to infection by H. pylori, while all mice immunized with phoPc tac-ureAB (15 of 15) or phoPc (15 of 15) were infected. Our data demonstrate that H. pylori urease delivered nasally by using a vaccine strain of S. typhimurium can trigger Th1- and Th2-type responses and induce protective immunity againstHelicobacter infection.
Efficacy of a Web- and Text Messaging-Based Intervention to Reduce Problem Drinking in Adolescents: Results of a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To test the efficacy of a combined web- and text messaging-based intervention to reduce problem drinking in young people compared to assessment only. Method: Two-arm, parallel-group, cluster-randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline and 6-month follow up. The automated intervention included online feedback, based on the social norms approach, and individually tailored text messages addressing social norms, outcome expectations, motivation, self-efficacy, and planning processes, provided over 3 months. The main outcome criterion was the prevalence of risky single-occasion drinking (RSOD, defined as drinking at least 5 standard drinks on a single occasion in men and 4 in women) in the past 30 days. Irrespective of alcohol consumption, 1,355 students from 80 Swiss vocational and upper secondary school classes, all of whom owned a mobile phone, were invited to participate in the study. Of these, 1,041 (76.8%) students participated in the study. Results: Based on intention-to-treat analyses, RSOD prevalence decreased by 5.9% in the intervention group and increased by 2.6% in the control group, relative to that of baseline assessment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44–0.87). No significant group differences were observed for the following secondary outcomes: RSOD frequency, quantity of alcohol consumed, estimated peak blood alcohol concentration, and overestimation of peer drinking norms. Conclusions: The intervention program reduced RSOD, which is a major indicator of problem drinking in young people, effectively.
Let's talk about sleep: a systematic review of psychological interventions to improve sleep in college students

Sleep problems are a common occurrence in college students. Insomnia, nightmares and impaired sleep quality lead to several mental health issues, as well as impaired academic performance. Although different sleep programmes exist, a systematic overview comparing their effectiveness is still missing. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of psychological interventions to improve sleep in college students. Seven databases were searched from November to December 2016 (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cinahl, Cochrane Library, PubMed, OpenSigle). The search string included search terms from three different topics: sleep, intervention and college students. Outcome measures included subjective as well as objective measures and focused on sleep, sleep‐related and mental health variables. Twenty‐seven studies met the inclusion criteria. They were assigned to four intervention categories: (1) sleep hygiene, (2) cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT), (3) relaxation, mindfulness and hypnotherapy and (4) other psychotherapeutic interventions. Fifteen studies were randomized controlled trials. While sleep hygiene interventions provided small to medium effects, the CBTs showed large effects. The variability of the effect sizes was especially large in the relaxation category, ranging from very small to very large effect sizes. Other psychotherapeutic interventions showed medium effects. CBT approaches provided the best effects for the improvement of different sleep variables in college students. Five studies included insomnia patients. The other three intervention categories also showed promising results with overall medium effects. In the future, CBT should be combined with relaxation techniques, mindfulness and hypnotherapy. Furthermore, the interventions should broaden their target group and include more sleep disorders.
Surveillance of pathogens in outpatients with gastroenteritis and characterization of sapovirus strains between 2002 and 2007 in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

Infectious acute gastroenteritis is an important public health problem worldwide. A total of 639 stool specimens were tested for the presence of diarrhea pathogens. The specimens were from outpatients with acute gastroenteritis who consulted the pediatric clinic in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, from June 2002 to December 2007. Of these, 421 (65.9%) were positive for diarrhea pathogens. Among them were norovirus (NoV) in 260 (61.8%), sapovirus (SaV) in 81 (19.2%), rotavirus in 49 (11.6%), adenovirus in 19 (4.5%), enterovirus in 13 (3.1%), astrovirus in 9 (2.1%), kobuvirus in 1 (0.2%), and bacterial pathogens in 11 (2.6%). Mixed infection (co‐infection of viruses) was found in 22 (5.2%) of the 421 pathogen‐positive stool samples. NoV was the most prevalent pathogen throughout the study period; however, the SaV detection rate was unexpectedly high and was found to be the secondary pathogen from 2005 to 2007. Genetic analysis of SaV with 81 strains demonstrated that SaV strains belonging to genogroup IV emerged in 2007, and dynamic genogroup changes occurred in a restricted geographic area. This study showed that SaV infection is not as rare as thought previously. J. Med. Virol. 81:1117–1127, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast. III. Carcinosarcoma

The clinical and pathologic features of 70 examples of carcinosarcoma (CS) of the breast are reported. Thirty‐three neoplasms had infiltrating carcinoma, seven had in situ carcinoma, and 28 had both admixed or contiguous with the sarcomatous component. Squamous carcinoma, present in 15 neoplasms, was the exclusive epithelial component of two. The admixed carcinoma often appeared distinct from the sarcoma component; however, at high magnification transitional differentiation zones and more subtle merging of infiltrating carcinoma with sarcoma were present in most neoplasms. A total of 40 neoplasms were studied by immunohistochemistry for keratins, EMA, vimentin, S‐100 protein, and actin. The sarcomatous component in 55% of CS was immunoreactive for keratin, and 98% were immunoreactive for vimentin. A majority were also immunoreactive for actin (77%), and S‐100 protein (55%). Ultrastructural examination of the sarcoma in eight neoplasms yielded variable nonspecific findings compatible with sarcoma. These findings indicate biphasic differentiation by cells possessing epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics and suggest myoepithelial origin or differentiation. The cumulative 5‐year survival rate for CS was 49%, worse than for other forms of metaplastic carcinoma. The respective 5‐year survivals for TNM clinical Stages I, II, and III were 100%, 63%, and 35%. Of patients with axillary dissection, 26% had metastases to axillary lymph nodes with carcinoma as the most frequent component to metastasize. Metastasis was an ominous sign as 33 of 34 patients who developed metastases died from tumor. Local recurrence was not as ominous as 40% who had only local recurrence subsequently died from tumor. Size and microscopic circumscription were also significant prognostic factors.
Two new phenolic compounds from Ficus rumphii and their antiproliferative activity

Two new compounds 2 and 4, along with two known compounds 1 and 3, were isolated for the first time from 95% ethanolic extract of the leaves of Ficus rumphii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physical evidences (elemental analysis, UV, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectra) and comparison with the literature compounds. Structural authentication of compound 4 was further validated by single-crystal X-ray analysis and DFT calculations. The compounds 1–4 were screened for in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer and non-cancer cells and also tested for genotoxicity (comet assay). Compounds 2 and 4 displayed significant activity against HL-60 with IC50 values of 3.3 and 2.3 μM, respectively. The results revealed that compound 4 has better prospectus to act as cancer chemotherapeutic candidate which warrants further in vivo anticancer investigations.
Prognostic Analysis of Primary Breast Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma and Mucinous Breast Adenocarcinoma: A SEER Population-Based Study

Background Primary breast signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare type of breast cancer with typical morphological characteristics, high aggressiveness, and poor prognosis. SRCC is different from mucinous breast adenocarcinoma (MBC). However, only a few studies have explored the clinicopathological features and prognosis of SRCC and MBC. Methods Data retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) database (2004–2015) were used to explore the prognostic effect of clinicopathological features and treatment modalities on survival outcomes of SRCC and MBC patients. Kaplan–Meier plot analysis, multivariate Cox proportional risk model, propensity score matching (PSM), and subgroup analysis were performed. Results A total of 167 patients with SRCC and 11,648 patients with MBC were included in the study. SRCC patients exhibited higher histological grade (p < 0.001), larger tumor volume (p < 0.001), higher rate of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), and higher frequency of distal metastasis (p < 0.001) compared with MBC patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that SRCC patients had lower overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) compared with MBC patients. Subgroup survival analysis showed that the SRCC patients had lower OS and BCSS in subgroups including younger than 60 years old, white race, married, without chemotherapy, and received radiotherapy compared with the MBC patients in these subgroups. In addition, the SRCC patients had lower BCSS in subgroups including other races (including Asian or Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native), without surgery, and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion The findings showed that primary breast SRCC patients have unique clinical characteristics and worse prognosis compared with MBC patients. Notably, different treatment methods resulted in different prognosis for SRCC and MBC types; therefore, SRCC patients should be distinguished from MBC patients to improve efficacy of treatment.
Periorbital cellulitis in children: Analysis of outcome of intravenous antibiotic therapy

ABSTRACT Periorbital cellulitis is a relatively common ocular disease in the pediatric population. Early diagnosis of this disease with a prompt intervention is critical to avoid vision and life-threatening complications. In the last years, medical therapy has been expanding for the treatment of orbital cellulitis, instead of the standard surgical approach. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome of treatment with intravenous antibiotic of periorbital cellulitis in children. A retrospective review of all children admitted with periorbital cellulitis in our hospital between January 2002 and July 2013 was conducted. Cases were divided in two subgroups, pre-septal and post-septal infection. The demographics, clinical findings, treatment and outcomes were analyzed. In total 110 children were included, 93 with pre-septal and 17 with post-septal cellulitis. The mean age was 3.5 years in children with pre-septal cellulitis and 5.5 years in those with post-septal cellulitis (p = 0.149). For both subgroups the most common predisposing factor was sinusitis. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was successful in all except one patient with an orbital abscess who required surgical intervention. In our study complete recovery was achieve in all (except for one) children with periorbital cellulitis treated with intravenous antibiotics only.
Cooperation, Discounting, and the Eﬀects of Delayed Costs and Beneﬁts

Numerous studies have investigated how people resolve intertemporal trade-offs in individual decision making, but little is known about how the timing of costs and benefits affects behavior in strategic decision situations. Here, we experimentally study how delayed costs and/or benefits affect cooperation in a social dilemma situation. We find that cooperation is substantially reduced (increased) when only the benefits (costs) of cooperation are shifted towards the future. We show that the change in contributions can be explained by (i ) a shift in the beliefs about others' cooperativeness, (ii ) a shift in subjects' willingness to conditionally cooperate, and (iii ) a subject's degree of impatience. We further demonstrate that the amount of economic incentives needed to close the cooperation gap are substantial, indicating discount rates in our strategic context of about 50 percent, much higher than the ones typically observed in individual decision contexts. Finally, when both costs and benefits are delayed to the same extent, contribution levels do not change, indicating that cooperation is time-consistent.
The ecology of anthrax spores: tough but not invincible.

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a serious and often fatal disease of wild and domestic animals. Central to the persistence of anthrax in an area is the ability of B. anthracis to form long-lasting, highly resistant spores. Understanding the ecology of anthrax spores is essential if one hopes to control epidemics. Studies on the ecology of anthrax have found a correlation between the disease and specific soil factors, such as alkaline pH, high moisture, and high organic content. Researchers initially suggested that these factors influenced vegetative anthrax bacilli. However, subsequent research has shown that vegetative cells of B. anthracis have very specific nutrient and physiological requirements and are unlikely to survive outside a host. Review of the properties of spores of B. anthracis and other Bacillus species suggests that the specific soil factors linked to epidemic areas reflect important environmental conditions that aid the anthrax spores in causing epidemics. Specifically, high levels of calcium in the soil may help to maintain spore vitality for prolonged periods, thereby increasing the chance of spores encountering and infecting a new host. Cycles of runoff and evaporation may collect spores dispersed from previous epidemics into storage areas, thereby concentrating them. Uptake of large doses of viable spores from storage areas by susceptible animals, via altered feeding or breeding behavior, may then allow the bacterium to establish infection and cause a new epidemic. Literature search for this review was done by scanning the Life Sciences Collection 1982-1994 using the keywords "anthrax" and "calcium and spore. "