Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood Disadvantage Alters the Origins of Children’s Nonaggressive Conduct Problems

Neighborhood disadvantage plays a pivotal role in child mental health, including child antisocial behavior (e.g., lying, theft, vandalism; assault, cruelty). Prior studies have indicated that shared environmental influences on youth antisocial behavior increase with increasing disadvantage, but researchers have been unable to confirm that these findings persist once various selection confounds are considered. In the current study, we sought to fill this gap in the literature by examining whether and how neighborhood disadvantage alters the genetic and environmental origins of child antisocial behavior. Our sample consisted of 2,054 child twins participating in the Michigan State University Twin Registry, half of whom were oversampled to reside in modestly-to-severely impoverished neighborhoods. We made use of an innovative set of nuclear twin family models, thereby allowing us to disambiguate between, and simultaneously estimate, multiple elements of the shared environment as well as genetic influences. Although there was no evidence that the etiology of aggressive antisocial behavior was moderated by neighborhood disadvantage, the etiology of nonaggressive antisocial behavior shifted dramatically with increasing neighborhood disadvantage. Sibling-level shared environmental influences were estimated to be near zero in the wealthiest neighborhoods and increased dramatically in the most impoverished neighborhoods. By contrast, both genetic risk and family-level shared environmental transmission were significantly more influential in middle- and upper-class neighborhoods than in impoverished neighborhoods. Such results collectively highlight the profound role that pervasive neighborhood poverty plays in shaping the etiology of child nonaggressive antisocial behavior. Implications are discussed.
Effects of five different alcoholic drinks on patients with Crohn's disease

Objective. Many patients with Crohn's disease (CD) complain of abdominal discomfort after alcohol intake. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol and sugar content in five different alcoholic drinks on abdominal discomfort in patients with CD. Material and methods. In a crossover study, two weeks apart, 12 healthy individuals and 20 patients with CD in remission consumed randomly red wine, white wine, Smirnoff Ice, Elephant Beer and pure ethanol. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum ethanol and plasma glucose at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. A self-reported pain symptom score was used. Results. There was no difference between CD patients and healthy individuals in the area under the curve (AUC) for the ethanol concentration after intake of the five different drinks. The plasma AUC for glucose in the CD patients after intake of Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer was significantly increased (p<0.05) in comparison with that in the remaining three alcoholic drinks. Abdominal pain manifestations were significantly more pronounced in CD patients following intake of Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer, with their higher sugar concentration, compared with intake of the remaining three drinks (p<0.05). Conclusions. The present study shows no difference in alcohol absorption between CD patients and controls. The alcoholic drinks Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer have an increased effect on self-reported abdominal pain in CD patients, probably due to the high sugar content in these drinks.
Zoledronic acid versus placebo in the treatment of skeletal metastases in patients with lung cancer and other solid tumors: a phase III, double-blind, randomized trial--the Zoledronic Acid Lung Cancer and Other Solid Tumors Study Group.

PURPOSE To assess the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in patients with bone metastases secondary to solid tumors other than breast or prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to receive zoledronic acid (4 or 8 mg) or placebo every 3 weeks for 9 months, with concomitant antineoplastic therapy. The 8-mg dose was reduced to 4 mg (8/4-mg group). The primary efficacy analysis was proportion of patients with at least one skeletal-related event (SRE), defined as pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation therapy to bone, and surgery to bone. Secondary analyses (time to first SRE, skeletal morbidity rate, and multiple event analysis) counted hypercalcemia as an SRE. RESULTS Among 773 patients with bone metastases from lung cancer or other solid tumors, the proportion with an SRE was reduced in both zoledronic acid groups compared with the placebo group (38% for 4 mg and 35% for 8/4 mg zoledronic acid v 44% for the placebo group; P =.127 and P =.023 for 4-mg and 8/4-mg groups, respectively). Additionally, 4 mg zoledronic acid significantly increased time to first event (median, 230 v 163 days for placebo; P =.023), an important end point in this poor-prognosis population, and significantly reduced the risk of developing skeletal events by multiple event analysis (hazard ratio = 0.732; P =.017). Zoledronic acid was well tolerated; the most common adverse events in all treatment groups included bone pain, nausea, anemia, and vomiting. CONCLUSION Zoledronic acid (4 mg infused over 15 minutes) is the first bisphosphonate to reduce skeletal complications in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors other than breast and prostate cancer.
Sound silencing: the Sir2 protein and cellular senescence

The model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae is providing new insights into the molecular and cellular changes that are related to aging. The yeast protein Sir2p (Silent Information Regulator 2) is a histone deacetylase involved in transcriptional silencing and the control of genomic stability. Recent results have led to the identification of Sir2p as a crucial determinant of yeast life span. Dosage, intracellular localization, and activity of Sir2p all have important effects on yeast longevity. For instance, calorie restriction apparently increases yeast life span by increasing Sir2p activity. Since Sir2p‐related proteins have been identified in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, the fundamental principles derived from the studies in yeast may prove valuable in directing our future research toward an understanding of the mechanisms of aging in higher eukaryotes. BioEssays 23:327–332, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Implications of salience theory: Does the independence axiom always hold under uncertainty?

So far, "salience theory of choice under risk" has been mainly applied to situations of risk rather than to those of uncertainty. In this paper, we show that salience theory provides the prediction that Allais paradoxes should never occur in the context of uncertainty. A finding which contra-dicts the scarce evidence existing up to now, and which indicates that further research on the topic is necessary.
The comparison between MAUT and PROMETHEE

Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) analysis has been utilized to solve many real world problems. Most research used a particular MCDM method to solve the problem in interested. Recently, some research is interested in comparing the results obtained by different MCDM methods. It is interesting to know that, given the same decision information, there exists distinguish results obtained by different methods. Moreover, seldom research provides the study about the relation or perspective between those methods. In this study, a preliminary discussion between two of the commonly used MCDM methods, multiattribute utility theory (MAUT) and PROMETHEE, is provided.
Interactions of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in epithelial target tissues.

BACKGROUND : In Na+-transporting epithelial target tissues, such as mammalian kidney and the isolated toad bladder, glucocorticoids (GCs) do not normally elicit Na+ retention. In mammalian kidney, however, they do cause kaliuresis. The presence of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoform 2 (11beta-HSD2) in these target tissues inactivates the GCs, preventing them from accessing mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and stimulating Na+ transport. RESULTS : The usually observed Na+ retention elicited by the mineralocorticoid aldosterone was blunted when the GC corticosterone was coadministered along with aldosterone. However, when corticosterone was administered along with a 11beta-HSD2 inhibitor, a strong Na+ transport was elicited by an MR-mediated mechanism. 11-Dehydrocorticosterone also blunted aldosterone-elicited Na+ transport in these target tissues. CONCLUSIONS : 11beta-HSD2 appears to play two important roles in the epithelial target tissues, kidney and toad bladder. The first is to protect GC access to MR, and the second involves the product of the enzyme to regulate the magnitude of aldosterone-induced Na+ retention.
Paracetamol for feverish children: parental motives and experiences

Abstract Objective. The sale of paracetamol products for children is increasing, and more children are accidentally given overdoses, even though the use of paracetamol against fever is still under discussion. This study explores Danish parents’ use of paracetamol for feverish children and their motives for this use. Design. A cross-sectional survey using structured interviews. Setting. Four general practices located in city, suburb, and rural area. Subjects. A total of 100 Danish parents with at least one child under the age of 10 years. Main outcome measures. Number of parents administering paracetamol to feverish children, situations triggering medication of a child, parental views regarding fever and effects of paracetamol, and sources of information on fever treatment. Results. Three in four parents use paracetamol for feverish children, mainly to reduce temperature, to decrease pain, and to help the child fall asleep. Highly educated parents medicate more often than less educated. Parents often fear fever but this does not clearly affect their use of paracetamol. Many parents believe in perceived beneficial effects of paracetamol, such as increased appetite and well-being, better sleep, and prevention of fever seizures. These expectations of paracetamol influence parental use of the drug. Parents’ main source of information on fever and paracetamol is their general practitioner (GP). Conclusions. Danish parents regularly treat feverish children with paracetamol. Although parents contact their GP for advice on fever treatment, paracetamol is sometimes given to children on vague indications. Clearer information for parents on when to give paracetamol as fever treatment may help regulate its use.
Evidence that genes for depression impact on the pathway from trauma to psychotic-like symptoms by occasioning emotional dysregulation

Background Genes for depression may act by making individuals more sensitive to childhood trauma. Given that childhood adversity is a risk factor for adult psychosis and symptoms of depression and psychosis tend to cluster within individuals and families, the aim was to examine whether the association between childhood adversity and psychotic-like symptoms is moderated by genetic liability for depression. A secondary aim was to determine to what degree a depression-related increase in stress sensitivity or depressive symptoms themselves occasioned the moderating effect. Method Female twins (n=508) completed both prospective and retrospective questionnaires regarding childhood adversity [the Symptom Checklist-90 – Revised (SCL-90-R) and SCID-I (psychotic symptoms)] and psychotic trait liability [the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE)]. Stress sensitivity was indexed by appraisals of event-related stress and negative affect (NA) in the flow of daily life, assessed with momentary assessment technology for five consecutive days. Multilevel regression analyses were used to examine moderation of childhood adversity by genetic liability for depression in the prediction of follow-up psychotic experiences. Results The effect of childhood adversity was significantly moderated by genetic vulnerability for depression in the model of both follow-up psychotic experiences (SCL-90-R) and follow-up psychotic trait liability (CAPE). The moderation by genetic liability was mediated by depressive experience but not by stress sensitivity. Conclusions Genetic liability for depression may potentiate the pathway from childhood adversity to psychotic-like symptoms through dysfunctional emotional processing of anomalous experiences associated with childhood trauma.
Nuclear localization of the metastasis‐related protein S100A4 correlates with tumour stage in colorectal cancer

A large number of experimental studies have linked the S100A4 gene product to the metastatic phenotype of cancer cells and clinical evidence indicates a correlation between S100A4 expression and poor prognosis in several cancer types. The aim of the present study was to analyse the expression of the S100A4 protein in colorectal cancer. Paraffin‐embedded samples from 277 colorectal cancer patients were immunostained with anti‐S100A4 antibody. Cytoplasmic staining was observed in 178 of 277 samples (64%), whereas, unexpectedly, nuclear expression of S100A4 was found in 88 of 277 of the samples (32%). This novel finding was confirmed by western blot analysis of nuclear fractions isolated from frozen tumour tissue. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between nuclear expression of S100A4 and tumour stage at diagnosis, while there was no such correlation between cytoplasmic staining and tumour stage. The nuclear localization of S100A4 in colorectal cancer and its relationship to tumour stage suggest that this protein may be involved in gene regulatory pathways of relevance to the metastatic phenotype of cancer cells. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using growth curves to forecast regional resource recovery: approaches, analytics and consistency tests

There is growing concern about the depletion of hydrocarbon resources and the risk of near-term peaks in production. These concerns hinge upon contested estimates of the recoverable resources of different regions and the associated forecasts of regional production. Beginning with Hubbert, an influential group of analysts have used growth curves both to estimate recoverable resources and to forecast future production. Despite widespread use, these ‘curve-fitting’ techniques remain a focus of misunderstanding and dispute. The aim of this paper is to classify and explain these techniques and to identify both their relative suitability in different circumstances and the expected level of confidence in their results. The paper develops a mathematical framework that maps curve-fitting techniques onto the available data for conventional oil and highlights the critical importance of the so-called ‘reserve growth’. It then summarizes the historical origins, contemporary application and strengths and weaknesses of each group of curve-fitting techniques and uses illustrative data from a number of oil-producing regions to explore the extent to which these techniques provide consistent estimates of recoverable resources. The paper argues that the applicability of curve-fitting techniques is more limited than adherents claim, the confidence bounds on the results are wider than commonly assumed and the techniques have a tendency to underestimate recoverable resources.
BMP2 Commitment to the Osteogenic Lineage Involves Activation of Runx2 by DLX3 and a Homeodomain Transcriptional Network*

Several homeodomain (HD) proteins are critical for skeletal patterning and respond directly to BMP2 as an early step in bone formation. RUNX2, the earliest transcription factor proven essential for commitment to osteoblastogenesis, is also expressed in response to BMP2. However, there is a gap in our knowledge of the regulatory cascade from BMP2 signaling to the onset of osteogenesis. Here we show that BMP2 induces DLX3, a homeodomain protein that activates Runx2 gene transcription. Small interfering RNA knockdown studies in osteoblasts validate that DLX3 is a potent regulator of Runx2. Furthermore in Runx2 null cells, DLX3 forced expression suffices to induce transcription of Runx2, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase genes, thus defining DLX3 as an osteogenic regulator independent of RUNX2. Our studies further show regulation of the Runx2 gene by several homeodomain proteins: MSX2 and CDP/cut repress whereas DLX3 and DLX5 activate endogenous Runx2 expression and promoter activity in non-osseous cells and osteoblasts. These HD proteins exhibit distinct temporal expression profiles during osteoblast differentiation as well as selective association with Runx2 chromatin that is related to Runx2 transcriptional activity and recruitment of RNA polymerase II. Runx2 promoter mutagenesis shows that multiple HD elements control expression of Runx2 in relation to the stages of osteoblast maturation. Our studies establish mechanisms for commitment to the osteogenic lineage directly through BMP2 induction of HD proteins DLX3 and DLX5 that activate Runx2, thus delineating a transcriptional regulatory pathway mediating osteoblast differentiation. We propose that the three homeodomain proteins MSX2, DLX3, and DLX5 provide a key series of molecular switches that regulate expression of Runx2 throughout bone formation.
Aristolochic acid impedes endocytosis and induces DNA adducts in proximal tubule cells.

BACKGROUND Aristolochic acid (AA), present in Aristolochia plants, appears to be the toxin responsible for Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN), a rapidly progressive tubulointerstitial nephritis. One of the earliest sign of CHN is the urinary excretion of low-molecular-weight proteins (LMWP), suggesting that AA is toxic to proximal tubules (PT). METHODS The effects of AA on PT functions including reabsorption of LMWP were investigated on the well-established opossum kidney (OK) cell line, a model for PT, and compared with those of the classical PT toxin cadmium chloride (CdCl2). RESULTS OK cell monolayers internalized albumin and beta2-microglobulin by receptor-mediated endocytosis, both proteins apparently competing for the same receptor, a complex of megalin and cubulin. The process was significantly impaired by 24-hour preincubation with AA (10 or 20 micromol/L) or CdCl2 (15 micromol/L). Furthermore, 24-hour exposure to AA followed by its removal during one to six days led to a persistent inhibition of the uptake of albumin, in contrast to the substantial recovery observed after CdCl2 removal. Neither AA nor CdCl2 affected cell viability, Na+-glucose cotransport or total rate of protein synthesis. AA significantly decreased megalin expression and formed specific DNA adducts in OK cells, similar to those found in kidneys from CHN patients. CONCLUSIONS The present data support the involvement of AA in the early PT dysfunction found in CHN; furthermore, they suggest a causal relationship between DNA adduct formation, decreased megalin expression, and inhibition of receptor-mediated endocytosis of LMWP.
Effects of dietary boron supplementation on some biochemical parameters, peripheral blood lymphocytes, splenic plasma cells and bone characteristics of broiler chicks given diets with adequate or inadequate cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) content

1. The effects of 5 and 25 mg/kg boron supplementation of diets with inadequate (6·25 µg/kg) or adequate (50 µg/kg) cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) content on some biochemical parameters, tibia characteristics, peripheral blood lymphocyte and splenic plasma cell counts of broilers were investigated. 2. Supplementation of the diet with boron affected plasma concentrations of boron, iron, copper and zinc and also tibia boron, zinc and calcium concentrations but did not have any effect on tibia iron or copper concentrations or tibia ash and tibia weight values. 3. Boron supplementation caused significant increases in splenic plasma cell count but decreased the proximal and distal tibia growth plate widths. There was no effect of boron supplementation on peripheral blood alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) content. Whole blood haematocrit and haemoglobin counts were significantly increased by boron supplementation but there were no effects on leucocyte ratios such as eosinophil, basophil, monocyte, lymphocyte and thrombocyte. 4. In general, the findings of the present study support the hypothesis that boron has an important biological role that affects the mineral metabolism of animals by influencing both biochemical and haematological mechanisms.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma vs primary open angle glaucoma: a one-year comparative study.

AIM To compare the efficacy of single-session 360-degree selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXFG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS This is a single-center, prospective, nonrandomized comparative study. Patients older than 18 years of age with uncontrolled PXFG or POAG eyes requiring additional therapy while on maximally tolerated IOP-lowering medications were included. The primary outcome measure changed in IOP from baseline. Success was defined as IOP reduction ≥20% from baseline without any additional IOP-lowering medication. All patients were examined at 1d, 1wk, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12mo after SLT. RESULTS Nineteen patients (20 eyes) with PXFG and 27 patients (28 eyes) with POAG were included in the study. In the visual fields mean deviation was -2.88 (±1.67) in the POAG and -3.1 (±1.69) in the PXFG groups (P=0.3). The mean (±SD) IOP was 22.9 (±3.7) mm Hg in the POAG group and 25.7 (±4.4) mm Hg in the PXFG group at baseline and decreased to 18.4 (±3.2) and 18.0 (±3.9) mm Hg in the POAG group (P<0.001 and P=0.02), and to 17.9 (±4.0) and 21.0 (±6.6) mm Hg in the PXFG group (P<0.001 and P=0.47) at 6 and 12mo, respectively. The number of medications was 2.6 (±0.8) in the POAG group and 2.5 (±0.8) in the PXFG group at baseline, and did not change at all follow-up visits in both groups (P=0.16 in POAG and 0.57 in PXFG). Based on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the success rate was 75% in the POAG group compared to 94.1% in the PXFG group (P=0.08; log rank test) at 6mo, and 29.1% and 25.0% at 12mo, respectively (P=0.9; log rank). CONCLUSION The 360-degree SLT is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic modality in patients with POAG and PXFG by reducing IOP without any change in number of medications. The response was more pronounced early in the postoperative period in patients with PXFG whereas there was no statistically significant difference at 12-month follow-up.