Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity and Chronic Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms in Young Adults: A Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND:An unexplained epidemic of obesity is occurring but the relationship between obesity and gastrointestinal (GI) tract function is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and specific GI symptoms.METHODS:A birth cohort in Dunedin, New Zealand, aged 26 yr (n = 980, 94% of total original sample) was evaluated using a validated GI symptom questionnaire. Categories of GI symptom complexes were defined a priori. The association of reported GI symptoms with BMI (kg/m2) was assessed adjusting for gender.RESULTS:The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was 12%; 30% were overweight. There was a significant univariate positive association between increased BMI and diarrhea (>3 stools/day, loose stools, or urgency); the sex adjusted odds ratio for obese versus normal weight was 1.8 (95% CI 1.1, 2.9; p = 0.02). Abdominal pain associated with nausea or vomiting was positively associated with increased BMI (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0, 2.9; p = 0.04). Being overweight was negatively associated with abdominal pain and constipation (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.9; p = 0.02). Irritable bowel syndrome and reflux symptoms were not significantly associated with increased BMI. Waist-to-hip ratios were not significantly associated with GI symptoms. No study members were taking antiobesity medications. Hemoglobin A1c levels were not associated with any of the GI symptoms.CONCLUSIONS:In a general population sample of young adults, increasing BMI was associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain with nausea/vomiting.
Life Expectancy and Functional Prognosis After Femoral Neck Fractures in Hemodialysis Patients

Objectives To identify whether differences exist in the outcomes between patients undergoing hemodialysis and elderly nonhemodialysis patients with a femoral neck fracture. Design Retrospective review. Setting Level 1 trauma center. Patients/Interventions A total of 71 femoral neck fractures in 62 patients undergoing hemodialysis treated nonoperatively or operatively. Main Outcome Measurements Clinical outcomes were analyzed to identify factors that may be correlated with life expectancy and functional prognosis. Results The overall survival rates in this study at 1-year and 5-years postfracture were found to be 89.8% and 51.5%, respectively. There were significant correlations among the survival rate, patients' age, type of treatment, prefracture ambulation status, and prefracture activities of daily living status. However, using multivariate analysis, the only significant predictor of life expectancy was prefracture ambulation status. As for functional prognosis, the rates of total ambulation recovery and total activities of daily living recovery at 1-year postfracture were 50.0% and 71.2%, respectively. Both patients' age and age at the onset of hemodialysis may contribute considerably to functional prognosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis after femoral neck fracture. Conclusions The present study suggests that the clinical outcomes of patients with femoral neck fractures who undergo hemodialysis are considerably superior to those of previous studies. In addition, when those fractures are treated surgically with specific management in patients undergoing hemodialysis, it may be possible to expect a life expectancy and functional prognosis similar to elderly nonhemodialysis patients with hip fractures.
SUSTAINED ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF TWO κ‐OPIOID AGONISTS IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The ability of two nonpeptide κ-opioid receptor agonists, U-50,488H and U-62,O66E (spiradoline), to lower arterial pressure on chronic administration to 12-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats was assessed. Each drug was infused subcutaneously at −9.6 mg/kg/d, over a 14-day period with Alzet osmotic pumps in each strain of rat. Arterial pressures were determined daily in each rat by photoelectric tail-cuff plethysmography. Control rats received similar infusions of 0.9% NaCl. Body weights and water consumption were also recorded daily. Both drugs effected a 10% to 20% sustained lowering of arterial pressure beginning on the second day of infusion, until explantation of the pumps on day 14. Heart rates similarly were decreased by 10% to 15% in SHRs. By contrast, neither drug caused significant decrements in arterial pressure or heart rate in the normotensive WKY group. Control infusions of 0.9% NaCl had no significant effects on arterial pressure or heart rate in either SHRs or WKY rats. U-62,066E, but not U-50,488H, caused sustained increased water consumption in both SHRs and WKY rats, with a greater effect in the SHR strain. This likely was accompanied by a water diuresis. Body weight gains over the 14-day period were similar for both strains of rats treated with U-50,488H, compared with saline-treated controls, but rats of both strains infused with U-62,066E gained significantly less weight than saline controls over the 14-day period. The results are supportive of further experimental evaluations of the potential antihypertensive use of nonpeptide κ-opioid agonist drugs.
Increased diabetes incidence in Greek and Italian migrants to Australia: how much can be explained by known risk factors?

OBJECTIVE The aims of the study were to determine whether Greek or Italian migrants to Australia have an elevated incidence of type 2 diabetes compared with Australian-born individuals and to what extent any differences can be explained by known risk factors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a prospective study of 34,097 men and women aged 40-69 years born in Greece, Italy, Australia, or New Zealand who were free from diabetes at baseline. For all self-reported cases of diabetes at the 4-year follow-up, a confirmation of diagnosis was sought from medical practitioners. Of these, anyone for whom there was no evidence against a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was considered a case subject. RESULTS Follow-up was completed by 29,331 (86%) participants, and 334 case subjects were identified. The cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes among Greek (2.6%) and Italian (2.4%) migrants was more than three times that in Australian-born (0.7%) individuals. After adjusting for age only, the odds ratios (ORs) for being of Greek and Italian origin compared with Australian origin were 3.8 (95% CI 2.9-5.0) and 3.3 (2.6-4.3), respectively. The only known risk factor for type 2 diabetes that materially affected these ORs was BMI. After adjusting for BMI and age, the ORs for being of Greek and Italian origin, respectively, were 2.4 (1.8-3.2) and 2.0 (1.5-2.6). CONCLUSIONS Greek and Italian migrants to Australia have a more than three times greater incidence of type 2 diabetes than Australian-born individuals, and this is only partly explained by BMI. Although weight control will remain important for these high-risk groups, identification of other risk factors is required.
Macroeconomic volatility and stock returns: Evidence from Mediterranean markets

The link between the macroeconomy and the stock market has intuitive appeal. Our attention in this paper will be addressed to evaluate the effects of macroeconomic shocks on five Mediterranean stock markets (France, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia, and Egypt). Using monthly data from 1995M1 to 2003 M12, A standard VAR model is estimated for each country and the effects of macroeconomic shocks on stock prices are evaluated by means of impulse responses analysis. Our findings highlight weak form efficiency of the Arab stock markets. This weakness was the main obstacle for these two stock returns to respond normally to macroeconomic shocks as it is seen in France, Spain and Portugal. But, there is evidence of a significant cross-country heterogeneity in the persistence, magnitude and timing of these responses. A special precaution is set up to account qualitative interpretations for the responses of stock prices to macroeconomic shocks.
RGS7 and -11 complexes accelerate the ON-bipolar cell light response.

PURPOSE The retinal ON-bipolar cell (ON-BPC) light response is initiated upon deactivation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR6 and the G protein Go. G protein-based signaling cascades are typically accelerated by interaction of the G protein alpha subunit with a member of the regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) protein family. The goal of this study was to determine whether RGS7 and/or -11 serve this function in retinal ON-BPCs. METHODS Retinas from mice lacking RGS11 (RGS11(-/-)), or with a deletion mutation in RGS7 (RGS7(Delta/Delta)), or both, were compared to wild-type (WT) by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. The retinal light response was measured with the electroretinogram (ERG). The kinetics of simulated light responses from individual rod bipolar cells were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. RESULTS Levels of the R7 RGS interaction partners, Gbeta5 and R9AP, were reduced in the outer plexiform layer of the RGS11(-/-) and RGS7(Delta/Delta)/RGS11(-/-) mice. ERG recordings demonstrated a delay in the rising phase of the ERG b-wave, larger photopic b-wave amplitudes, and increased scotopic threshold response sensitivity in the RGS11(-/-) and RGS7(Delta/Delta)/RGS11(-/-) mice. The ERG measured from the RGS7(Delta/Delta) retina was normal. Patch-clamp recordings of chemically simulated light responses of rod BPCs revealed a 25-ms delay in the onset of the ON-BPC response in the RGS7(Delta/Delta)/RGS11(-/-) mouse compared with the WT. CONCLUSIONS RGS11 plays a role in the deactivation of Galphao, which precedes activation of the depolarizing current in ON-BPCs. RGS7 must also serve a role as changes in RGS7(Delta/Delta)/RGS11(-/-) mice were greater than those in RGS11(-/-) mice.
Phospholipase D Family Member 6 Is a Surface Marker for Enrichment of Undifferentiated Spermatogonia in Prepubertal Boars.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have a functional ability to maintain self-renewal and sustain production of spermatozoa throughout the reproductive lifespan of a male. Studies on SSCs can thus better the understandings of spermatogenesis and unravel the mechanisms for self-renewal and differentiation of male germline stem cells. However, the rarity of SSCs in the testis and the lack of reliable surface markers obstruct the related study and further application of SSCs. This is especially the case in livestock animals. In this study, we identified that phospholipase D family member 6 (PLD6) is a surface marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia in boar testes. By magnetic-activated cell sorting, PLD6+ cell fraction comprises 84.45% ± 0.35% of undifferentiated spermatogonia (marked by PLZF). Xenotransplantation of PLD6+ cells into the recipient mouse testis revealed a ninefold increase of donor cell-derived colony formation compared with that in the unselected cell group, indicating the significant enrichment of SSCs. Furthermore, based on the sorted PLD6+ cells with a high SSC content, we established a feeder-free culture system that could maintain porcine undifferentiated spermatogonia for 4 weeks in vitro with the expression of typical markers throughout the culture period. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PLD6 is a surface marker of undifferentiated spermatogonia in testes of prepubertal boars and could be utilized to unprecedentedly enrich porcine undifferentiated spermatogonia. These data provide the basis for future studies on the refinement of germ cell culture and manipulation of porcine undifferentiated spermatogonia.
CD147 regulates apoptosis in mouse spermatocytes but not spermatogonia.

BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis is maintained by a dynamic balance between germ cell proliferation and apoptosis. Previous study has demonstrated that CD147 knockout mice are infertile with arrested germ cells. However, the question of whether and how CD147 may be involved in the apoptotic process during spermatogenesis remains elusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of CD147 in the regulation of germ cell apoptosis in mice. METHODS CD147 function was blocked by anti-CD147 antibody in GC-1 (immortalized spermatogonia) and GC-2 (immortalized spermatocytes) cell lines and in testicular germ cells in vivo. Testes size and weight were examined after injection of anti-CD147 antibody into the seminiferous tubules of severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Germ cell apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and levels of p53 and two effectors, caspase 3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), using western blots. RESULTS The size and weight of the CD147-immunodepleted testes were decreased compared with that in control testes (P < 0.001). The TUNEL assay showed an increase in the number of apoptotic spermatocytes (P < 0.001 versus control) but not spermatogonia in Stages XI-XII of CD147-immunodepleted testes. In addition, in vitro experiments demonstrated that CD147 immunodepletion induced an increase in apoptosis in GC-2 cells (P < 0.001 versus control) but had no effect on GC-1 cells. Moreover, deprivation of CD147 induced apoptosis in spermatocytes through a p53-independent mechanism, which led to caspase 3 and PARP activation. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that immunodepletion of CD147 induces p53-independent apoptosis in mouse spermatocytes but not spermatogonia.
Tissue-Specific Localization of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase in the Equine Embryo by In Situ Hybridization and Immunocytochemistry1

Abstract Estrogen production by the preimplantation equine embryo is presumed to be important in maternal-conceptus communication in the mare. The synthesis of C18 estrogens from C19 androgens requires cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) in the conceptus, but little information is available on the specific tissue location or potential developmental patterns of expression for the horse. The goal of this research was to localize P450arom in the equine conceptus by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Intact blastocyst-stage embryos were collected by nonsurgical flush on Days 12–15 of pregnancy, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and paraffin-embedded. Aromatase protein was localized using rabbit anti-human placental aromatase antiserum with a detection system utilizing peroxidase and 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole. For in situ hybridization, tissue sections were incubated with sense or antisense [35S]UTP-labeled cRNA probes prepared from equine aromatase cDNA. Aromatase protein and transcript were abundant in the extraembryonic trophectoderm but absent from embryonic ectoderm. No P450arom expression was detected in abembryonic endoderm or mesoderm. Aromatase expression was demonstrated in the endoderm beneath the disc (hypoblast). This pattern of P450arom expression in the equine blastocyst closely resembles that seen transiently in the porcine embryo, suggesting that regulatory mechanisms conferring tissue specificity may be conserved.
Performance of a Rapid Assay (Binax NOW) for Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus at a Children's Hospital over a 3-Year Period

ABSTRACT A rapid assay, Binax NOW RSV, was compared to viral culture for 14,756 pediatric respiratory specimens obtained from 2003 to 2006. There were 794 viral culture-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus infections. Sensitivity was 81%, and specificity was 93.2%. Sensitivity was greatest for neonates (91.1% versus 80.7% [P < 0.01]).
Oxalate, germin, and the extracellular matrix of higher plants

The article assembles and elaborates evidence which indicates that an ‘old’ enzyme, oxalate oxidase, and an even ‘older’ substrate, calcium oxalate, have significant and previously uncontemplated roles in the biochemistry of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of higher plants. These possibilities emerged by chance, but not really by chance, when computerized comparisons of amino acid sequences inevitably led to the discovery that germin, long known to be a protein marker of the onset of growth in germinating wheat, and later known to be an ECM protein, is an oxalate oxidase [J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12239‐12242 (1993)]. Dissolution of calcium oxalate, and germin‐induced degradation of the resulting soluble oxalate, can release Ca2+ and H2O2, both of which are known to have central roles in the biochemistry of the ECM in higher plants. It is therefore timely to survey the implications of the recent finding that germin is an oxalate oxidase in the context of how oxalate may participate not only in the biochemistry of the ECM, but in the development of higher plants. The findings about oxalate, as a source of H2O2, are a complement to Varner's contemporaneous advocacy of a central role for H2O2 in the development, differentiation, vascularization and signaling processes of higher plants. —Lane, B. G. Oxalate, germin, and the extracellular matrix of higher plants. FASEB J. 8: 294‐301; 1994.
The effect of arterial blood gas values on extubation decisions.

BACKGROUND No studies have examined the clinical utility of arterial blood gas (ABG) values during spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) for making extubation decisions. Nonetheless many intensive care units measure ABGs during an SBT to determine, in conjunction with other data, whether the SBT was successful. OBJECTIVE Determine how often ABG values change extubation decisions. METHODS Each patient was assessed at the bedside by one of 3 critical care attending physicians. Each assessment was made at the end of the SBT in which ABGs were obtained with the expectation of extubation. When a nurse, respiratory therapist, or resident was available, he or she also simultaneously and independently evaluated the patient and then reassessed with the ABG values. Physiologic data were recorded before and during the SBT, as the attending physician performed the bedside assessment. RESULTS Eighty-three patients were studied during 100 SBTs. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and mean blood pressure increased. Blood oxygen saturation (measured via pulse oximetry [F(IO)(2)]) and the P(aO)(2)/F(IO)(2) ratio decreased significantly during SBTs. Concordant clinical and ABG assessment (to attempt a trial of extubation) led to extubation in 86 patients, 76 of whom remained extubated after 72 hours. Following 14 of the SBTs, the patients were not extubated. Seven of these were judged by the attending physicians to fail both clinically and following review of ABG values. Seven were judged successful clinically, but the patients were not extubated because the attending physician thought the ABG values were unfavorable. Bedside nurses, who assessed 72 SBTs, had 1 case in which the ABG values changed their extubation opinion. Resident-trainees assessed 76 cases and had 5 changes of opinion based on ABG values. Respiratory therapists assessed 77 patients and had 4 such cases. The average changes in heart rate and blood pressure of patients not extubated were double those of extubated patients, but there were no significant differences in respiratory rate or P(aO)(2)/F(IO)(2) ratio between those groups. Ten patients (11.6%) were extubated based on the attending physician's decision but required re-intubation within 72 hours. CONCLUSION These data suggest that ABG values did not change extubation decisions in 93% of cases. However, in 7 cases the ABG values changed the extubation decision. If even a few of those cases would have failed extubation without knowledge of the ABG values, the increased patient risk and cost associated with failed extubation would more than offset the relatively small cost of collecting ABG values from all patients who undergo SBT.
Foundations of High Impact Entrepreneurship

This survey reviews the theoretical literature on high impact entrepreneurship. The survey is guided in part by the recent classification changes at the Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) regarding entrepreneurship. The board voted to create a new classification code, L26, for entrepreneurship. The JEL intends to use this code for all articles and books that focus on economic questions related to entrepreneurial activity. Publications related to questions on occupational choice issues will be cross classified with J23; those focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship will be cross classified with O31; those focusing on finance will be cross classified with G24 Investment Banking, venture capital, brokerage and rating agencies; those focusing on new firms, start ups; and business related publications on how to be an entrepreneur will be cross classified (or solely classified) with M13. What does this economic literature tell us about entrepreneurship? In order to answer the questions this review covers the intersection of entrepreneurship with labor markets, innovation, and capital markets — the three pillars of high impact entrepreneurship.
Beta-VLDL-induced cholesterol ester deposition in macrophages may be regulated by neutral cholesterol esterase activity.

We examined the role of enzyme activities involved in cholesterol ester metabolism in the accumulation of cholesterol ester in macrophages. When [3H]cholesterol linoleate-beta-very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDLs) were incubated with rat resident peritoneal macrophages (RPMs), thioglycolate-elicited macrophages (TEMs), or alveolar macrophages (AMs), cholesterol ester accumulation was the greatest in TEMs and the least in AMs. The uptake of [3H]cholesterol linoleate-beta-VLDL into AMs was four times that into RPMs, and the uptake into TEMs was twice that into RPMs. The [3H]cholesterol released from [3H]cholesterol linoleate-beta-VLDL-loaded AMs was five times higher than from TEMs and RPMs, whereas those from RPMs and TEMs were almost the same. In studies using cell homogenates, the acid cholesterol esterase activity in AMs was 1.7 times that in TEMs and six times that in RPMs. The acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activities in AMs and TEMs were similar but were higher than that in RPMs. The neutral cholesterol esterase activity was seven times higher in AMs than in RPMs and TEMs. In the study using intact cells, the hydrolysis of loaded [3H]cholesterol linoleate-beta-VLDL in the presence of the ACAT inhibitor CL277,082 and the cholesterol [14C]oleate synthesis from [14C]oleate were enhanced in AMs about twofold compared with RPMs and TEMs. The reduction of de novo synthesized cholesterol [14C]oleate in the presence of CL277,082 was enhanced in AMs four times compared with TEMs or RPMs. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)