Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The mRNA Expression and Circulating Levels of Visfatin and Their Correlation with Coronary Artery Disease Severity and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D

Abstract It is evident that coronary artery disease (CAD) is closely associated with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. Notably, dysregulation of inflammatory pathways and immune system also contribute to CAD development. Recently, it has been suggested that visfatin, a proinflammatory adipocytokine, may be involved in several inflammatory and metabolic diseases. In this study, we evaluated the serum visfatin levels and its mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CAD patients compared with control subjects. We also studied the correlation between visfatin gene expression and serum levels with clinical and metabolic parameters. This study was conducted on 56 male patients with CAD confirmed by angiography and 30 healthy men as controls. CAD severity was determined based on the number of vessels. Study of gene expression in PBMCs was performed using real time-PCR, and serum levels of visfatin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured by ELISA. We found that serum visfatin levels and its gene expression in PBMCs were increased in patients with CAD compared with the control group (p=0.027 and p=0.016, respectively). Also, visfatin gene expression was positively correlated with visfatin levels and both these variables had a strong positive correlation with the severity of CAD. It appears that elevated mRNA expression and circulating level of visfatin might be of relevance to the pathogenesis and severity of CAD. However, further studies are necessary to better clarify the associations between visfatin and CAD.
Prevalence study of plasmid‐mediated AmpC &bgr;‐lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae lacking inducible ampC from Saudi hospitals

Purpose. Enterobacteriaceae encoding plasmid‐mediated AmpC (pAmpC) &bgr;‐lactamases confer resistance to the third generation cephalosporins. pAmpC association with extended spectrum &bgr;‐lactamases (ESBLs), plasmid‐mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and aminoglycoside modifying enzymes (AMEs) is well documented. There are limited data regarding the epidemiology and clinical significance of pAmpC in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pAmpC and its coexistence with ESBLs, PMQR and AMEs in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis isolates in Saudi hospitals from January to December 2015. Methodology. The VITEK 2 system was used for organism identification and susceptibility testing. PCR and sequencing were used to detect pAmpC, ESBL, AME and PMQR genes. Results. Out of 3625 isolates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis, 200 cefoxitin‐resistant isolates were identified, making the prevalence of cefoxitin resistance 5.5% (200/3625). CMY‐2 and DHA were detected in 24 and 12 isolates, respectively. The prevalence of pAmpC was 1% (36/3625). In several isolates, pAmpC &bgr;‐lactamases were associated with PMQR genes including aac(6’)‐Ib‐cr and qnrB and/or with AMEs including aacA4, aacC2, aadA1, aphA6, armA and rmtB genes. No ESBLs were detected in pAmpC &bgr;‐lactamase‐harbouring isolates. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first study determining the prevalence of pAmpC &bgr;‐lactamases and their association with PMQR and/or AME genes in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. CMY‐2 is the most prevalent pAmpC &bgr;‐lactamase in this study. These data emphasize the importance of surveillance studies and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes to reduce infections caused by such resistant organisms.
Analysis of Myxococcus xanthus cell types by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Myxococcus xanthus is a gram-negative, soil-dwelling bacterium that undergoes development in response to depletion of nutrients. Whereas most cells aggregate into multicellular mounds in which they differentiate into spores, 10 to 20% of the developing cells remain outside fruiting bodies as peripheral rods. We used two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to analyze the global expression of polypeptides in cells taken from six stages in the life cycle: vegetatively growing cells, cells 15 h after the induction of development, peripheral rods, prespores (sonication-sensitive, aggregated cells), fruiting-body spores (sonication-resistant, aggregated cells) 96 h after the induction of development, and glycerol-induced spores 15 h after induction. Seven hundred sixty-one discrete sample spots (SSPs) were identified among the six gels. Comparisons among the samples revealed that each sample had some unique SSPs, ranging from 0.3% of the 15-h developing cell SSPs to 17.9% of 96-h peripheral rod SSPs. Sixty-eight SSPs were ubiquitously distributed, but the relative amounts of these SSPs varied among the samples. Statistical analyses of the distribution and relative quantities of the SSPs indicate that, within a confidence level of greater than 99.99%, peripheral rods are significantly different from vegetatively growing cells, 15-h developing cells, prespores, fruiting-body spores, and glycerol-induced spores. In fact, among the six samples studied, only 15-h developing cells and glycerol-induced spores were similar to each other within a confidence level of P greater than or equal to 0.05. These results are consistent with the description of peripheral rods as a distinct developmental cell type.
71-Kilodalton Heat Shock Cognate Protein Acts as a Cellular Receptor for Syncytium Formation Induced by Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT We previously reported that the region corresponding to amino acids 197 to 216 of the gp46 surface glycoprotein (gp46-197) served as a binding domain for the interaction between gp46 and trypsin-sensitive membrane components of the target cell, leading to syncytium formation induced by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-bearing cells. Our new evidence shows that the 71-kDa heat shock cognate protein (HSC70) acts as a cellular receptor for syncytium formation. Using affinity chromatography with the peptide gp46-197, followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we isolated three components (bands A, B, and C) from MOLT-4 cell lysate which exhibited specific interactions with gp46 and inhibitory activities for syncytium formation induced by HTLV-1-bearing cells. Band A and B components were identified as HSC70 and β-actin, respectively, through amino acid sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry and immunostaining with specific monoclonal antibodies. Band C is likely to be a nonprotein component, because full activity for syncytium formation was seen after extensive trypsin digestion. Anti-HSC70 monoclonal antibody clearly blocked syncytium formation in a coculture of HTLV-1-bearing cells and indicator cells, whereas no inhibition was seen with anti-β-actin monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis indicated that anti-HSC70 antibody reacted with MOLT-4 cells. Thus, we propose that HSC70 expressed on the target cell surface acts as a cellular acceptor to gp46 exposed on the HTLV-1-infected cell for syncytium formation, thereby leading to cell-to-cell transmission of HTLV-1.
Transport infrastructure and regional convergence: A spatial panel data approach

This article examines the contribution of transport infrastructure to the regional convergence in Spain for the period 1980–2008. Spatial econometric techniques are employed to decompose the direct, indirect and total effects of roads, railways, ports and airports. In addition, the analysis is complemented by estimating the determinants of the regional allocation of transport investments. Evidence confirms the presence of absolute and conditional convergence. However, only roads appear to have an impact on this convergence process. It is also understood that the main driver of transport investments has been the equalization of the infrastructure endowment between the different Spanish regions. The reduction of inequalities between regions in terms of road provision could explain the positive contribution of roads to the process of regional convergence in Spain. Este articulo estudia la contribucion de la infraestructura del transporte a la convergencia regional en Espana durante el periodo 1980–2008. El estudio emplea tecnicas econometricas espaciales para separar los efectos directos, indirectos y totales de las carreteras, ferrocarriles, puertos y aeropuertos. Adicionalmente, el analisis se complementa con la estimacion de los factores determinantes de la asignacion regional de las inversiones en transporte. La evidencia obtenida confirma la presencia de una convergencia absoluta y condicional. Sin embargo, tan solo las carreteras parecen tener un impacto en este proceso de convergencia. Tambien se entiende que el principal impulsor de las inversiones en transporte ha sido la equiparacion de la dotacion de infraestructuras entre las distintas regiones espanolas. La reduccion de las desigualdades entre regiones en cuanto a carreteras podria explicar la contribucion positiva de las carreteras al proceso de convergencia regional en Espana. 本稿では、1980~2008年のスペインにおける、交通インフラの地域収束への貢献度を検討する。 空間的計量経済的方法を用いて、道路、鉄道、港湾、空港の直接的および間接的な全部効果を分解した。 さらに、交通投資の地域の配分の決定因子を推定して分析を補足した。 エビデンスにより絶対収束と条件付き収束の存在を実証する。 しかし、この収束プロセスに影響を与えるのは道路のみであると考えられる。 また、交通投資の主な原動力は、スペインの地域間で均等化されたインフラ基盤であることが解明された。 地域間における道路供給の不平等の縮小から、スペインにおける地域収束のプロセスに道路が寄与していることが説明できる。
Asset Price Effects of Peer Benchmarking: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Abstract We estimate the effects of peer benchmarking by institutional investors on asset prices. In order to isolate the trades driven by peer benchmarking, we use a natural experiment involving a change in a government-imposed under-performance penalty applicable to Colombian pension funds. We find that peer effects generate excess stock return volatility, with stocks exhibiting short-term abnormal returns followed by returns reversal in the subsequent quarter. Additionally, peer benchmarking produces an excess in comovement across stock returns beyond the correlation implied by fundamentals.
Lung Volume Recruitment in Lambs during High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation Using Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography

Monitoring lung volume is important in the treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. However, there are no tools available for lung volume measurement to guide ventilator management during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and during dynamic changes in conventional ventilation (CV). We studied the performance of a new respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) with modified software. We measured Δ changes in lung volume above end-expiratory volume (VRIP) during HFOV and studied whether changes in VRIP parallel changes in mean airway pressure. Calibration of the plethysmograph was made by serial injections of a known gas volume in six term (140 d gestation) and eight preterm (125 d gestation) lambs. Linear regression analysis of the relationship between injected gas volume and VRIP showed strong correlation (r2 = 0.93–1.00 term animals, r2 = 0.86–1.00 preterm animals). The pressure volume curves from the calibration with the injected gas volumes also correlated well with the pressure volume curves extrapolated from changes in VRIP. Lung hysteresis was clearly demonstrated with RIP after changes in mean airway pressure during HFOV and after changes in positive end-expiratory pressure during CV. We conclude that measurements of lung volume in term and preterm lambs by use of modified RIP correlate well with changes in mean airway pressure during HFOV, with static pressure volume curves and with changes in positive end-expiratory pressure during CV. We speculate that this technique may provide clinically useful information about changes in lung volume during HFOV and CV. However, evaluation of the precision and chronic stability of RIP measurements over prolonged periods will require further studies.
Dapagliflozin in type 2 diabetes: effectiveness across the spectrum of disease and over time

Despite many available therapies, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently do not achieve/maintain glycaemic control. Furthermore, side effects such as hypoglycaemia and weight gain may limit therapy choices. Dapagliflozin, a selective sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor, reduces hyperglycaemia by increasing glucosuria independently of insulin, representing a novel approach in T2DM. Dapagliflozin efficacy, safety and tolerability were evaluated across a wide range of clinical trials.
Elevated CO2 Changes Interspecific Competition Among Three Species of Wheat Aphids: Sitobion avenae, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Schizaphis graminum

ABSTRACT Effects of elevated CO2 (twice ambient) on the interspecific competition among three species of wheat aphids (Sitobion avenae, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Schizaphis graminum) and on wheat-aphid interactions were studied. Wheat plants had higher biomass and yield and lower water and nitrogen content of grain when grown under elevated CO2 than under ambient CO2; levels of condensed tannins, total phenols, and total nonstructural carbohydrates were also higher in wheat ears under elevated CO2. Compared with ambient CO2, elevated CO2 increased the abundance of R. padi when introduced solely but reduced its abundance when S. avenae was also present. The spatial distribution of wheat aphids was apparently influenced by CO2 levels, with significantly more S. avenae on ears and a more even distribution of R. padi on wheat plants under elevated CO2 versus ambient CO2. Elevated CO2 did not affect the abundance and spatial distribution of S. graminus when inoculated solely. Moreover, when S. avenae was present with either R. padi or S. graminum, spatial niche overlap was significantly decreased with elevated CO2. When three species co-occurred, elevated CO2 reduced spatial niche overlap between S. avenae and S. graminum and between R. padi and S. graminum. Our results suggest that increases in atmospheric CO2 would alleviate interspecific competition for these cases, which would accentuate the abundance of and the damage caused by these wheat aphids.
Vers des approches dynamiques des marchés énergétiques : effet de la financiarisation

L’objet de cette these est d’etudier dans un contexte de financiarisation des marches de matieres premieres, certaines strategies adoptees par les investisseurs et leurs impacts sur la volatilite et le co-mouvement excessif entre les marches energetiques et financiers. Pour ce faire, trois etudes sont proposees. La premiere fait appel aux modeles a changement de regime (MS-VAR) appliques sur un ensemble des produits energetiques et couvre la periode 1992-2017. Les resultats obtenus suggerent qu’en periode de forte volatilite, les agents commerciaux (agents de couverture) jouent un role crucial dans la decouverte des prix du marche du gaz. Cependant, ces agents de couverture affectent le bon fonctionnement des autres marches (petrole, essence, fioul) et amplifient leur volatilite. La deuxieme etude traite les modeles GARCH ADCC versus GARCH DCC sur un echantillon de 17 pays et sur la periode 1997-2016. Cette etude met en avant l’effet asymetrique des chocs petroliers sur les correlations conditionnelles des marches asiatiques et africains, qui s’expliquent notamment par les activites d’arbitrage et les comportements heterogenes des investisseurs. La troisieme etude porte sur les modeles autoregressifs a retards echelonnes (ARDL) et revele qu’apres la crise financiere, et au-dela des fondamentaux macro-economiques et financiers, l’indice de la speculation excessive explique, aussi bien a long terme qu’a court terme, la correlation entre le marche petrolier et les marches financiers de certains pays. Ceci genere un phenomene de co-mouvement excessif, et donc un effet de financiarisation sur ces marches. Enfin, nous concluons les elements suivantes : premierement, en periode de forte volatilite, le marche du gaz constitue une valeur refuge pour les investisseurs financiers ; deuxiemement, le comportement de l’investisseur explique l’effet de co-mouvement excessif entre le marche petrolier et certains marches financiers ; troisiemement, ce phenomene de co-mouvement excessif limite les avantages de la diversification internationale des portefeuilles notamment au moment des turbulences financieres.
Induction of SerpinB2 and Th1/Th2 Modulation by SerpinB2 during Lentiviral Infections In Vivo

SerpinB2, also known as plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2, is a major product of activated monocytes/macrophages and is often strongly induced during infection and inflammation; however, its physiological function remains somewhat elusive. Herein we show that SerpinB2 is induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells following infection of pigtail macaques with CCR5-utilizing (macrophage-tropic) SIVmac239, but not the rapidly pathogenic CXCR4-utilizing (T cell-tropic) SHIVmn229. To investigate the role of SerpinB2 in lentiviral infections, SerpinB2−/− mice were infected with EcoHIV, a chimeric HIV in which HIV gp120 has been replaced with gp80 from ecotropic murine leukemia virus. EcoHIV infected SerpinB2−/− mice produced significantly lower anti-gag IgG1 antibody titres than infected SerpinB2+/+ mice, and showed slightly delayed clearance of EcoHIV. Analyses of published microarray studies showed significantly higher levels of SerpinB2 mRNA in monocytes from HIV-1 infected patients when compared with uninfected controls, as well as a significant negative correlation between SerpinB2 and T-bet mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These data illustrate that SerpinB2 can be induced by lentiviral infection in vivo and support the emerging notion that a physiological role of SerpinB2 is modulation of Th1/Th2 responses.
Nominal GDP Targeting and Central Bank Conservativeness

In the literature on monetary economics, there is the &#8216;inflationary bias&#8217; result which predicts that the rate of inflation will be biased towards a higher level under discretionary monetary policy than under a rule&#8208;based policy regime. It is established that a credible nominal target can eliminate this &#8216;inflationary bias&#8217;. In this paper, we examine the case of nominal GDP targeting, which is a rule&#8208;based monetary regime. Depending on the degree of conservativeness by the central bank, we show in a stylized model the choice of different combination of inflation and real GDP targets can still result in an &#8216;inflationary bias&#8217;, and there also exists the possibility of a &#8216;dis&#8208;inflationary bias&#8217;.
Nutritional Considerations for the Colic Patient

There is limited knowledge of the benefits and complications associated with different modes of nutritional support in horses recovering from colic, and further clinical studies are required to facilitate refinement of feeding recommendations. However, there is evidence in humans and other species that protein and energy malnutrition can have deleterious effects on recovery from critical illness such as abdominal surgery and, on this basis, there is rationale for early enteral or parenteral support of horses recovering from colic surgery. The mode of nutritional support will depend on the underlying cause of colic, whether or not complications arise during convalescence, and the horse’s appetite. Although enteral feeding is the most cost effective method of nutritional support, parenteral nutrition is required for horses with ongoing intestinal dysfunction (i.e. ileus, dysmotility, gastric reflux). In horses with adequate gastrointestinal function, small and frequent feedings should be offered as soon as 12-24 hours after surgery. High quality grass hay or a low-bulk complete feed should be fed to horses recovering from large intestinal problems, while horses with small intestinal problems requiring resection and anastomosis may require soft mash or slurry diets fed for 2-4 days post-surgery, followed by a gradual reintroduction to normal diet. Long-term modification of diet is required following radical resection of the small or large intestine.
The Stock Investment Performance of Pension Funds in China

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the investment performance of China’s National Social Security Fund (CNSSF) in the stock market. The results show that the investment performance of entrusted social security funds is better than that of direct investment by China’s National Council for Social Security Fund. The annual risk-adjusted return on entrusted investment is 9.54% higher than that of direct investment. This article further investigates the performance of entrusted investment with respect to each entrusted fund company and finds that only 5 of the 16 entrusted social security funds generate significantly positive risk-adjusted returns, suggesting the existence of a principal-agent problem in entrusted investment. Controlling for factors such as the fund’s asset allocation and the characteristics of the fund family, we find that private information contributes to the investment performance of the CNSSF. Moreover, we find a synergistic effect between private information and the extent of alumni networks among fund managers at a company and a substitution effect between private information and the degree of closeness of those alumni networks on investment performance.
Feeding behaviour of infants with cleft lip and palate

Aim: To determine whether the feeding behaviour of infants with cleft lip and palate is improved with a type‐P teat, which is widely used in Japan by such infants, compared with a standard teat. The difference in intra‐oral movements between the type‐P teat, modified for the evaluation of feeding behaviour, and an unmodified type‐P teat was also compared using ultrasonography. Methods: In part 1 of the study, 15 infants aged 2 to 3 mo and 7 infants aged 2 wk were evaluated for sucking pressure, expression pressure, frequency and duration of sucking. All the infants had a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate without any other abnormalities. In part 2, an ultrasonographic analysis of intra‐oral movement was done for 5 infants enrolled in part 1 of the study. Results: Sucking pressure did not occur in all infants. It was found that feeding efficiency improved with the type‐P teat compared with the standard teat. The expression pressure with the type‐P teat was significantly higher than that with the standard teat, and the feeding frequency with the type‐P teat was lower than that with the standard teat.
Enhanced lipid peroxidation in synoviocytes from patients with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the degree of lipid peroxidation of synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthitis (OA), and controls and to look at the production of nitric oxide (NO) and its involvement in this process. METHODS Human synoviocytes were isolated from synovial tissues from patients with RA, OA, and from healthy controls. Cells were maintained in culture for up to 3 culture passages. Lipid peroxidation, verified by the production of malonaldehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (4-HNE), was determined by colorimetric assay. NO was evaluated by estimating the stable NO metabolite nitrite by the Griess method in the supernatants of unstimulated and interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a stimulated cells. RESULTS Increased levels of lipid peroxidation were observed for OA-derived synoviocytes compared to RA and controls. The cells in each experimental group produced low amounts of NO both in basal and in stimulated conditions. CONCLUSION In OA, synovial cells underwent a lipid peroxidation process that did not occur in synoviocytes from RA or controls even in the absence of a detectable production of the reactive nitrogen intermediate NO. We can postulate that this peroxidation process might be due to the action of NO secreted by chondrocytes that are known to produce higher levels of this radical in OA compared to RA.