Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 Genes and Susceptibility to Oral Cancer

Purpose Oral cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer in the world and comprises 6.5% of all cancer deaths. Since one of the major risk factors for oral cancer is tobacco use, we hypothesized that polymorphic genes coding for tobacco carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes may play a role in oral cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods To investigate the association between polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 and GSTM1 genes and risks for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the Korean population, the prevalence of the CYP1A1 Mspl and GSTM1 null polymorphisms were examined in 72 patients with histologically confirmed primary OSCC, as well as in 221 healthy control subjects. Results A significant risk increase for oral cancer was observed among subjects with the homozygous CYP1A1 (m2/m2) genotype (OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.9-7.7), but not the GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.4-1.3). Risk for oral cancer was significantly increased in subjects with the homozygous CYP1A1 (m2/m2) genotype, regardless of smoking history (smokers; OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 1.2-16.3; non-smokers OR = 4.9; 95% CI=1.9-12.5). Using the potentially most protective genotype GSTM1 (+)/CYP1A1 [(m1/m1)+(m1/m2)] as the reference group, an increased risk for oral cancer was observed among subjects with the GSTM1 (+)/ CYP1A1 (m2/m2) (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.8-5.2), and GSTM1 (-)/ CYP1A1 (m2/m2) (OR=4.9, 95% CI = 1.5-15.5) genotypes (p < 0.009, (χ2 trend test). Conclusion Our results suggest that individuals with a genotype of CYP1A1 (m2/m2) and GSTM1 (-) are highly susceptible for OSCC and that the CYP1A1 (m2/m2) genotype is closely associated with increased risk of OSCC in Koreans.
Carnitine Metabolism in Valproate-Treated Rats: The Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation

ABSTRACT. The effect of the administration for 7 days of valproate (500 mg/kg/day) or valproate (500 mg/kg/day) plus L-carnitine (200 mg/kg/day) on carnitine concentrations in serum, red blood cells, muscle, liver, and urine was evaluated. In the serum and muscle of the valproic acid (VPA) group, free carnitine levels decreased, while acylcarnitine levels and acyl/free ratio increased, when compared to those of the control. When L-carnitine was given to the VPA group, the free carnitine levels increased in the serum, muscle, and liver, and the acyl/free ratio decreased in all tissues when compared to those of the VPA group. The mean of free carnitine level in urine of the VPA group was not different but acylcarnitine increased when compared to values of controls, and after the supplementation with L-carnitine the acylcarnitine (from day 4 to 7) levels were decreased compared to the VPA group. The serum β- OH-butyrate level in the VPA group was decreased when compared to those of controls and VPA plus L-carnitine groups. These results indicate that L-carnitine supplementation protects against the alteration in carnitine metabolism induced by the administration of VPA.
Comparison of Provisional with Final Notifiable Disease Case Counts — National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, 2009

States report notifiable disease cases to CDC through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). This allows CDC to assist with public health action and monitor infectious diseases across jurisdictional boundaries nationwide. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is used to disseminate these data on infectious disease incidence. The extent to which the weekly notifiable conditions are overreported or underreported can affect public health understanding of changes in the burden, distribution, and trends in disease, which is essential for control of communicable diseases. NNDSS encourages state health departments to notify CDC of a case when initially reported. These cases are included in the weekly provisional counts. The status of reported cases can change after further investigation by the states, resulting in differences between provisional and final counts. Increased knowledge of these differences can help in guiding the use of information from NNDSS. To quantify the extent to which final counts differ from provisional counts of notifiable infectious disease in the United States, CDC analyzed 2009 NNDSS data for 67 conditions. The results of this analysis demonstrate that for five conditions, final case counts were lower than provisional counts, but for 59 conditions, final counts were higher than provisional counts. The median difference between final and provisional counts was 16.7%; differences were ≤20% for 39 diseases but >50% for 12. These differences occur for various diseases and in all states. Provisional case counts should be interpreted with caution and an understanding of the reporting process.
A MicroRNA-124 Polymorphism is Associated with Fracture Healing via Modulating BMP6 Expression

Background: miR-124-3p has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases by modulating a variety of signaling pathways. In this study, we aimed to understand the impact of miR-124-3p expression level on the fracture healing in the patients of metaphyseal fracture of distal tibia, who received minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis. Methods: We firstly collected 195 patients of metaphyseal fracture of distal tibia, and the genotype of rs531564 was determined: GG (n=124) and GC+CC (n=71). We collected information of the participants including age, gender, total in-hospital time, smoking and alcohol consumption. Subsequently, we searched the miRNA database online to identify the possible binding sequence of miR-124-3p located within the 3’-UTR of the target gene. We did correlation analysis and luciferase to understand the regulatory relationship between miR-124-3p and BMP6. Meanwhile, we also conducted real time PCR and western blotting analysis to study the mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 in different genotype groups. We then treated the cells with scramble control, miR-124-3p mimics, BMP6 siRNA and miR-124-3p inhibitors to investigate the influence of miR-124-3p on the expression of BMP6, viability and apoptosis of cells. Results: Total in-hospital time was significantly longer in GC+CC group than GG group. MiR-124-3p was up-regulated in GG group than GC and CC groups. BMP6 was virtual target of miR-124-3p. There existed negative regulatory relationship betweenmiR-124-3p and BMP6. The mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 decreased in GG group. MiR-124-3p decreased the expression of BMP6. MiR-124-3p negatively interfered with the viability of cells and BMP6 positively interfered with the viability of cells. MiR-124-3p reduced apoptosis and BMP6 promoted apoptosis. Conclusion: These data proved the expression of miR-124-3p was associated with the healing of metaphyseal fracture of distal tibia, and could be recognized as a biomarker to predict the healing of metaphyseal fracture of distal tibia.
Literacy, Information, and Party System Fragmentation in India

A rich theoretical literature argues that, in contradiction to Duverger’s law, the plurality voting rule can fail to produce two-party system when voters do not share their common information about the electoral situation. We present an empirical operationalization and a series of tests of this informational hypothesis in the case of India using constituency- and individual-level data. In highly illiterate constituencies where access to information and information sharing among voters is low, voters often fail to coordinate on the two most viable parties. In highly literate constituencies, voters are far more successful at avoiding vote-wasting—in line with the informational hypothesis. At a microlevel, these aggregate-level patterns are driven by the interaction of individual information and the informational context: In dense informational environments, even low-information voters can successfully identify viable parties and vote for them, but in sparse informational environments, individual access to information is essential for successful strategic voting.
Trading and Asset Prices

A model is presented with counter-cyclical belief heterogeneity and habit-formation preferences. Belief heterogeneity stems from disagreement in the interpretation of common signals. The model accounts for the positive relation between the magnitude of returns and trading volume, the asymmetric relation between returns and volume, the equity premium and the stock return volatility. If agents are able to create leverage without borrowing, using instead a levered security, the model also accounts for the positive relation between returns and volume. Further, the endogenous belief heterogeneity is negatively correlated with the price-dividend ratio and predicts interest rates; new empirical evidence supports both predictions.
Dressing liposomal particles with chitosan and poly(vinylic alcohol) for oral vaccine delivery

Liposomes have been used as adjuvants since 1974. One major limitation for the use of liposomes in oral vaccines is the lipid structure instability caused by enzyme activities. Our aim was to combine liposomes that could encapsulate antigens (i.e., Dtxd, diphtheria toxoid) with chitosan, which protects the particles and promotes mucoadhesibility. We employed physical techniques to understand the process by which liposomes (SPC: Cho, 3:1) can be sandwiched with chitosan (Chi) and stabilized by PVA (poly-vinylic alcohol), which are biodegradable, biocompatible polymers. Round, smooth-surfaced particles of REVs-Chi (reversed-phase vesicles sandwiched by Chi) stabilized by PVA were obtained. The REVs encapsulation efficiencies (Dtxd was used as the antigen) were directly dependent on the Chi and PVA present in the formulation. Chi adsorption on the REVs surface was accompanied by an increase of ζ−potential. In contrast, PVA adsorption on the REVs-Chi surface was accompanied by a decrease of ζ−potential. The presence of Dtxd increased the Chi surface-adsorption efficiency. The PVA affinity by mucine was 2,000 times higher than that observed with Chi alone and did not depend on the molecule being in solution or adsorbed on the liposomal surface. The liberation of encapsulated Dtxd was retarded by encapsulation within REVs-Chi-PVA. These results lead us to conclude that these new, stabilized particles were able to be adsorbed by intestinal surfaces, resisted degradation, and controlled antigen release. Therefore, REVs-Chi-PVA particles can be used as an oral delivery adjuvant.
Coordinated evolution of the hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C virus is a genetically heterogeneous RNA virus that is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Here, we show that, despite its extensive heterogeneity, the evolution of hepatitis C virus is primarily shaped by negative selection and that numerous coordinated substitutions in the polyprotein can be organized into a scale-free network whose degree of connections between sites follows a power-law distribution. This network shares all major properties with many complex biological and technological networks. The topological structure and hierarchical organization of this network suggest that a small number of amino acid sites exert extensive impact on hepatitis C virus evolution. Nonstructural proteins are enriched for negatively selected sites of high centrality, whereas structural proteins are enriched for positively selected sites located in the periphery of the network. The complex network of coordinated substitutions is an emergent property of genetic systems with implications for evolution, vaccine research, and drug development. In addition to such properties as polymorphism or strength of selection, the epistatic connectivity mapped in the network is important for typing individual sites, proteins, or entire genetic systems. The network topology may help devise molecular intervention strategies for disrupting viral functions or impeding compensatory changes for vaccine escape or drug resistance mutations. Also, it may be used to find new therapeutic targets, as suggested in this study for the NS4A protein, which plays an important role in the network.
Analysis on Tank Truck Accidents Involved in Road Hazardous Materials Transportation in China

Objective: Due to the sheer size and capacity of the tanker and the properties of cargo transported in the tank, hazmat tanker accidents are more disastrous than other types of vehicle accidents. The aim of this study was to provide a current survey on the situation of accidents involving tankers transporting hazardous materials in China. Methods: Detailed descriptions of 708 tanker accidents associated with hazmat transportation in China from 2004 to 2011 were analyzed to identify causes, location, types, time of occurrence, hazard class for materials involved, consequences, and the corresponding probability. Results: Hazmat tanker accidents mainly occurred in eastern (38.1%) and southwest China (12.3%). The most frequent hazmat tanker accidents involved classes 2, 3, and 8. The predominant accident types were rollover (29.10%), run-off-the-road (16.67%), and rear-end collisions (13.28%), with a high likelihood of a large spill occurring. About 55.93% of the accidents occurred on freeways and class 1 roads, with the spill percentage reaching 75.00% and the proportion of spills that occurred in the total accidents amounting to 77.82%, of which 61.72% are considered large spills. The month with the highest accident probability was July (12.29%), and most crashes occurred during the early morning (4:00–6:00 a.m.) and midday (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) hours, 19.63% versus 16.10%. Human-related errors (73.8%) and vehicle-related defects (19.6%) were the primary reasons for hazmat tanker crashes. The most common outcomes of a hazmat tanker accident was a spill without further events (55.51%), followed by a release with fire (7.77%), and release with an explosion (2.54%). Conclusions: The safety situation of China's hazmat tanker transportation is grim. Such accidents not only have high spill percentages and consistently large spills but they can also cause serious consequences, such as fires and explosions. Improving the training of drivers and the quality of vehicles, deploying roll stability aids, enhancing vehicle inspection and maintenance, and developing good delivery schedules may all be considered effective measures for mitigating hazmat tanker accidents, especially severe crashes.
Spontaneous, local diastolic subsarcolemmal calcium releases in single, isolated guinea-pig sinoatrial nodal cells

Uptake and release calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) (dubbed “calcium clock”), in the form of spontaneous, rhythmic, local diastolic calcium releases (LCRs), together with voltage-sensitive ion channels (membrane clock) form a coupled system that regulates the action potential (AP) firing rate. LCRs activate Sodium/Calcium exchanger (NCX) that accelerates diastolic depolarization and thus participating in regulation of the time at which the next AP will occur. Previous studies in rabbit SA node cells (SANC) demonstrated that the basal AP cycle length (APCL) is tightly coupled to the basal LCR period (time from the prior AP-induced Ca2+ transient to the diastolic LCR occurrence), and that this coupling is further modulated by autonomic receptor stimulation. Although spontaneous LCRs during diastolic depolarization have been reported in SANC of various species (rabbit, cat, mouse, toad), prior studies have failed to detect LCRs in spontaneously beating SANC of guinea-pig, a species that has been traditionally used in studies of cardiac pacemaker cell function. We performed a detailed investigation of whether guinea-pig SANC generate LCRs and whether they play a similar key role in regulation of the AP firing rate. We used two different approaches, 2D high-speed camera and classical line-scan confocal imaging. Positioning the scan-line beneath sarcolemma, parallel to the long axis of the cell, we found that rhythmically beating guinea-pig SANC do, indeed, generate spontaneous, diastolic LCRs beneath the surface membrane. The average key LCR characteristics measured in confocal images in guinea-pig SANC were comparable to rabbit SANC, both in the basal state and in the presence of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Moreover, the relationship between the LCR period and APCL was subtended by the same linear function. Thus, LCRs in guinea-pig SANC contribute to the diastolic depolarization and APCL regulation. Our findings indicate that coupled-clock system regulation of APCL is a general, species-independent, mechanism of pacemaker cell normal automaticity. Lack of LCRs in prior studies is likely explained by technical issues, as individual LCRs are small stochastic events occurring mainly near the cell border.
Policy Levers to Strengthen Community College Transfer Student Success in Texas

Texas relies heavily on its community colleges to provide low-cost access to undergraduate coursework for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.1 Yet, while the majority of Texas students who enter higher education through a community college enroll in transfer programs,2 only 35 percent transfer and only 15 percent earn a bachelor’s degree within six years of starting at a community college. Moreover, there is a large gap in bachelor’s degree attainment between lower-income students who start at a community college and transfer and their higher-income peers. Many community college students who intend to earn a bachelor’s degree make substantial progress in community college but fail to transfer. Among students who transfer, most do so without earning a community college credential.3 Many of those who do graduate end up earning excess credits, wasting their time and money, and making poor use of taxpayer resources.4 While twoto four-year transfer does not work well in many other states, in Texas it seems to be especially inefficient.5
Loss of skeletal muscle strength by ablation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum protein JP45

Skeletal muscle constitutes ≈40% of the human body mass, and alterations in muscle mass and strength may result in physical disability. Therefore, the elucidation of the factors responsible for muscle force development is of paramount importance. Excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) is a process during which the skeletal muscle surface membrane is depolarized, causing a transient release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum that activates the contractile proteins. The ECC machinery is complex, and the functional role of many of its protein components remains elusive. This study demonstrates that deletion of the gene encoding the sarcoplasmic reticulum protein JP45 results in decreased muscle strength in young mice. Specifically, this loss of muscle strength in JP45 knockout mice is caused by decreased functional expression of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel Cav1.1, which is the molecule that couples membrane depolarization and calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results point to JP45 as one of the molecules involved in the development or maintenance of skeletal muscle strength.
How do politicians shape and use budgets to govern public sector organizations? A position-practice approach

This paper examines politicians’ influence on budgets in governing public sector organizations. Theoretical reasoning is based on the position-practice concept applied in structuration theory. Research took place in a hospital district in Finland from 2009 to 2015. The findings show that politicians set coercive budgetary policies, but there was no direct relationship between budgets and actual medical practices. As a result, the budget was simply a ‘ceremonial’ tool of political governance, as medical professionals concentrate on delivering healthcare services.
Longitudinal studies of cerebral glucose metabolism in late‐life depression and normal aging

Late‐life depression (LLD) has a substantial public health impact and is both a risk factor for and a prodrome of dementia. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies of cerebral glucose metabolism have demonstrated sensitivity in evaluating neural circuitry involved in depression, aging, incipient cognitive decline, and dementia. The present study evaluated the long term effects of a course of antidepressant treatment on glucose metabolism in LLD patients.
Chromolithic Method Development, Validation and System Suitability Analysis of Ultra-Sound Assisted Extraction of Glycyrrhizic Acid and Glycyrrhetinic Acid from Glycyrrhiza glabra

An ultrasound-assisted extraction and chromolithic LC method was developed for simultaneous determination of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GL) from the root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra using RPLC-PDA. The developed method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonisation. The method exhibited good linearity (r2 >0.9989) with high precision and achieved good accuracies between 97.5 to 101.3% of quantitative results. The method is more sensitive and faster (resolved within ten minutes) than the earlier developed methods using normal LC columns.
Extubation outcome following a spontaneous breathing trial with automatic tube compensation versus continuous positive airway pressure

Objective:We hypothesized that the additional use of automatic tube compensation (ATC) during a spontaneous breathing trial with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), by minimizing respiratory work, would result in more patients undergoing successful extubation. Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting:A ten-bed, general intensive care department at a tertiary-care hospital. Patients:Adult patients (n = 99) who had undergone mechanical ventilation for >24 hrs and met defined criteria for a weaning trial. Interventions:Patients were randomized to undergo a 1-hr spontaneous breathing trial with either ATC with CPAP (ATC group, n = 51) or CPAP alone (CPAP group, n = 48). ATC was provided by commercially available mechanical ventilators. Patients tolerating the spontaneous breathing trial underwent immediate extubation. The primary outcome measure was successful extubation, defined as the ability to maintain spontaneous breathing for 48 hrs after discontinuation of mechanical ventilation and extubation. Measurements and Main Results:There were no significant differences in demographic, respiratory, or hemodynamic characteristics between the two groups at the start of the spontaneous breathing trial. There was a trend for more patients in the ATC group to tolerate the breathing trial and undergo extubation (96% vs. 85%; p = .08). The rate of reintubation was 14% in the ATC group and 24% in the CPAP group (p = .28). Significantly more patients in the ATC group thus met the criteria for successful extubation (82% vs. 65%; p = 0.04). Conclusion:This is the largest single-center study to date assessing the use of commercially available ATC and suggests that this might be a useful mode for performing a spontaneous breathing trial preceding extubation in a general intensive care population.
Reductions in hepatitis C virus and HIV infections among injecting drug users in New York City, 1990–2001

Objective:To assess trends in HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV/HCV infection among injecting drug users (IDU) from 1990 to 2001 in New York City. The 1990–2001 time period included a very large expansion of syringe exchange in New York City, from 250 000 to 3 000 000 syringes exchanged annually. Methods:Cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys of IDU entering drug abuse treatment in New York City, with sample sizes for HCV of 72 in 1990–1991 and 412 in 2000–2001. A structured risk behavior questionnaire was administered, and HIV and HCV testing were conducted. HCV testing was performed on de-linked stored serum samples. Results:Over the 1990–2001 period, HIV prevalence declined from 54 to 13%. HCV prevalence declined from 80 to 59% among HIV-seronegative individuals, and from 90 to 63% overall. The estimated HCV incidence in 2000–2001 among new injectors was 18 per 100 person-years at risk. Conclusions:The large-scale expansion of syringe exchange was temporally associated with large reductions in both HIV and HCV prevalence. The prevalence and incidence of HCV, however, still remain at high levels among IDU in New York City.