Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the risk of mortality in the general population.

BACKGROUND In patients undergoing dialysis, therapy with calcitriol or paricalcitol or other vitamin D agents is associated with reduced mortality. Observational data suggests that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25[OH]D) are associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cancers. However, whether low serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with mortality in the general population is unknown. METHODS We tested the association of low 25(OH)D levels with all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in 13 331 nationally representative adults 20 years or older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) linked mortality files. Participant vitamin D levels were collected from 1988 through 1994, and individuals were passively followed for mortality through 2000. RESULTS In cross-sectional multivariate analyses, increasing age, female sex, nonwhite race/ethnicity, diabetes, current smoking, and higher body mass index were all independently associated with higher odds of 25(OH)D deficiency (lowest quartile of 25(OH)D level, <17.8 ng/mL [to convert to nanomoles per liter, multiply by 2.496]), while greater physical activity, vitamin D supplementation, and nonwinter season were inversely associated. During a median 8.7 years of follow-up, there were 1806 deaths, including 777 from CVD. In multivariate models (adjusted for baseline demographics, season, and traditional and novel CVD risk factors), compared with the highest quartile, being in the lowest quartile (25[OH]D levels <17.8 ng/mL) was associated with a 26% increased rate of all-cause mortality (mortality rate ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08-1.46) and a population attributable risk of 3.1%. The adjusted models of CVD and cancer mortality revealed a higher risk, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION The lowest quartile of 25(OH)D level (<17.8 ng/mL) is independently associated with all-cause mortality in the general population.
International Reserves Management in a Model of Partial Sovereign Default

Despite the cost imposed by the interest rate spread between sovereign debt and international reserves, emerging countriesâ€™ governments maintain stocks of both. I investigate the optimality of this joint accumulation of assets and liabilities using a quantitative model of sovereign debt, in which: i) international reserves only function to smooth consumption, before or after a default; ii) the sovereignâ€™s decision to repudiate debt determine the spread; iii) lenders are risk-averse; and iv) default is partial. Simulated statistics from the benchmark model match their observed counterparts for average debt and spread, consumption volatility, and the main correlations among the relevant variables. Due to the presence of partial default and risk-averse lenders, the model also produces a mean reserve level of 7.7% of GDP, indicating that the optimal policy is to hold positive amounts of reserves.
Tusc2/Fus1 regulates osteoclast differentiation through NF-κB and NFATc1

Tumor suppressor candidate 2 (Tusc2, also known as Fus1) regulates calcium signaling, and Ca2+-dependent nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways, which play roles in osteoclast differentiation. However, the role of Tusc2 in osteoclasts remains unknown. Here, we report that Tusc2 positively regulates the differentiation of osteoclasts. Overexpression of Tusc2 in osteoclast precursor cells enhanced receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. In contrast, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Tusc2 strongly inhibited osteoclast differentiation. In addition, Tusc2 induced the activation of RANKL-mediated NF-κB and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV)/cAMP-response element (CRE)-binding protein CREB signaling cascades. Taken together, these results suggest that Tusc2 acts as a positive regulator of RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation.
Multidomain Synthetic Peptide B2A2 Synergistically Enhances BMP‐2 In Vitro

A multidomain, synthetic peptide designated B2A2 synergizes the activity of BMP‐2. B2A2 interacts with BMP receptor isoforms, potentiating the action of BMP‐2 in activating alkaline phosphatase and triggering Smad and MAPK signaling. B2A2's design permits its delivery as a local surface coating as well as a soluble co‐factor, thus broadening potential bioengineering applications.
Immunohistology is valuable in distinguishing between Paget's disease, Bowen's disease and superficial spreading malignant melanoma

Thirty‐nine lesions, originally diagnosed as Paget's disease (19), superficial spreading melanoma (13) or Bowen's disease (7), were reviewed. Supplementary immunohistochemistry on routine processed tissue, using antibodies to cytokeratins (PKK1 and M717) and to S‐100 protein, was carried out. Two of the lesions, originally classified as Bowen's disease and superficial spreading type malignant melanoma respectively, were reclassified as Paget's disease based on the immunohisto‐chemical findings. Both lesions contained pagetoid cells positive with PKK1. The results indicate that immunohistochemistry may sometimes be valuable in establishing the correct diagnosis in such lesions.
Effects of pH on the reactivation of human spermatozoa demembranated with triton X‐100

The aim of this work was to study the role of different parameters involved in the motility of human spermatozoa. Human spermatozoa were totally demembranated with 0.05% Triton X‐100, and the demembranation was checked using electron microscopy. We have shown that, with a concentration of ATP‐Mg lower than 2 mM, a pH effect was observed with a dose‐dependent motility reactivation at pH 7.1, with 14% ± 2.0% motile cells at 1 mM ATP‐Mg and a straight line velocity (VSL) of 12.0 ± 1.4 μm/sec. However, at pH 7.8, more than 65% of the spermatozoa were reactivated with as low as 0.02 mM ATP‐Mg and 77.8% ± 2.5% of them were motile at 1 mM ATP‐Mg and had a VSL of 23.4 ± 3.9 μm/sec. The depletion of free calcium by the addition of 0.5 mM EGTA in the reactivation medium (RM) improved the percentage of motile cells and the VSL most markedly at low ATP‐Mg and low pH. If no MgSO4 was added in RM, cells were not motile at pH 7.8, but 30–40% reactivated at pH 7.1. If 5 mM Ca2+ was added to the RM, up to 88% of the cells became reactivated at both pHs, but the beat frequencies were very low, suggesting different mechanisms of reactivation when Mg2+ or when Ca2+ is present in the RM.
Retrospective audit of outcome of regional anesthesia for delivery in women with thrombocytopenia

Abstract Regional anesthesia for pain at delivery in the presence of maternal thrombocytopenia is a clinical dilemma. We reviewed 10,369 obstetric cases (12 months) from our tertiery center. Generally, hemodilution of pregnancy does not result in thrombocyte counts of <150,000/mm3 at delivery. A total of 166 births (1.6%) were recorded in women with thrombocytes <150,000/mm3 at delivery. Parturients with >150,000/mm3 at week 36 were separated post hoc (n=35; 21%) and the remaining parturients were divided as having <100,000/mm3 (n=30; 18%) or 101,000–150,000/mm3 (n=101; 60.5%). Epidural or spinal anesthesia was administered to 30% women with <100,000/mm3 whereas 56% women with >101,000/mm3 received these options (P=0.003). A total of 13.9% of parturients with trimester-long thrombocytopenia required blood products; 10/23 (43.5%) parturients undergoing cesarean section also required blood products (P=0.000). Four of six babies with Apgar scores of ≤7 at 1-min were born to women with platelets <100,000/mm3 (P=0.009). There were no statistically significant differences in mean birth weights. Women with thrombocytes <150,000/mm3 at birth but within the normal range at week 36 were more likely multiparas (P=0.001). We conclude that a difference in maternal and neonatal outcomes exists between mothers who were thrombocytopenic only at delivery compared to those with trimester-long thrombocytopenia, with the latter mothers and babies having more adverse events.
The DELLA protein RGL3 positively contributes to jasmonate/ethylene defense responses

Gibberellins (GA) are phytohormones controlling major aspects of plant lifecycle including seed germination, growth and flower development. GA signaling is also involved in resistance to adverse conditions, thus providing a mechanism for environmentally responsive growth regulation. We recently characterized the function of a core component of the GA signal transduction pathway: RGL3. RGL3 belongs to the DELLA family of negative GA response regulators. Jasmonate (JA) rapidly induces RGL3 expression, which in turn enhances the expression of JA-responsive genes by inhibiting the activity of key repressors of JA signaling, the JAZ proteins. JA and ethylene (ET) are well known to play synergistic roles in plant disease resistance. Accordingly, we showed that RGL3 regulates plant defense responses by modulating JA/ET-mediated defense signaling pathway.
Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation in the United States: a work in progress

After the initial approval of the use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate‐emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2012 for anti‐HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), uptake was initially limited, but more recent community surveys and expert opinion suggest wider acceptance in some key populations.
Mechanism for increase in tracheobronchial blood flow induced by hyperventilation of dry air in dogs.

To test whether the consistent increase in tracheal and bronchial blood flow observed in dogs during hyperventilation of dry air might be the result of release of mediators such as vasodilatory prostaglandins or neuropeptides, we studied two groups of anesthetized mechanically ventilated dogs. Group 1 (n = 6) was hyperventilated for four 30-min periods with 1) warm humid air (38-40 degrees C, 100% relative humidity), 2) warm dry air (38-40 degrees C, 0% relative humidity), 3) warm humid air, and 4) warm dry air. After period 2, a loading dose of indomethacin (4 mg/kg iv) was given over 15 min followed by a constant infusion (4 mg.kg-1.h-1). Group 2 (n = 10) was hyperventilated for four 15- to 20-min periods by use of the protocol described above. After period 3 (group 2a) or period 2 (group 2b), topical 4% lidocaine hydrochloride solution was instilled into the trachea and main stem bronchi. Five minutes before the end of each period of hyperventilation, cardiac output and vascular pressures were measured. To determine airway blood flow, differently labeled radioactive microspheres were injected into the left atrium. After the last measurements, dogs were killed and the lungs excised. Blood flow to the trachea, main stem bronchi, and parenchyma (group 1 only) was calculated. Results showed that hyperventilation of dry air produced a significant increase in blood flow to the trachea and bronchi (period 2). In group 1, this increase was attenuated (P less than 0.02) after administration of indomethacin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inflammatory Response on the Pancreatic Acinar Cell Injury

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder, and inflammation not only affects the pathogenesis but also the course of the disease. Acinar cell injury early in acute pancreatitis leads to a local inflammatory reaction; if marked this leads to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). An excessive SIRS leads to distant organ damage and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). MODS associated with acute pancreatitis is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in this condition. Recent studies by us and other investigators have established the critical role played by inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, CINC/GRO-α, MCP-1, PAF, IL-10, CD40L, C5a, ICAM-1, MIP1-α, RANTES, substance P, and hydrogen sulfide in acute pancreatitis and the resultant MODS. This review intends to present an overview of the inflammatory response that takes place following pancreatic acinar cell injury.
Development of Vernier Acuity in Childhood

Purpose To measure Vernier acuity and resolution development after 3 years of age. Methods Observers were 39 children with normal vision (aged 3 to 12 years), 10 adult observers with normal vision (aged 19 to 24 years), and 7 adults with amblyopia. Vernier acuity and resolution were measured using uncrowded static stimuli and a 3AFC psychophysical paradigm. Curve fitting was used to estimate A2, the age at which thresholds are twice asymptotic levels. Results Vernier acuity was hyperacute (i.e., finer than predicted from foveal cone size or spacing) in 3- to 4-year-old observers, but developed later (A2=5.6 ± 1.5 years) than resolution acuity (A2=2.2 ± 0.9 years). Conclusions Children's Vernier thresholds are poorer than would be predicted solely from their decreased foveal photon capture. Therefore cortical immaturity may play a role in children's relative position acuity deficit. R/V ratios (resolution/Vernier thresholds) for the youngest age group are similar to those for adult nonstrabismic amblyopes, but better than for strabismic amblyopes.
Oestrogen Positive Feedback Reduces Arcuate Proopiomelanocortin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid

Oestradiol‐17ß, in its positive feedback mode, as well as stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone. (LHRH), also stimulates LHRH mRNA synthesis in medial preoptic neurons. Our aim was to determine whether the action of oestradiol might be mediated in part by inhibiting arcuate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons which terminate on LHRH neurons. Female rats were ovariectomized at about 1000 h of dioestrus, given a subcutaneous injection of oil or oestradiol benzoate and killed at 1600 h the same day (presumptive dioestrus), presumptive pro‐oestrus and oestrus and at 1000 h of presumptive pro‐oestrus. In situ hybridization of brain sections was carried out with a [35S]UTP‐labelled riboprobe containing 538 bases of a cDNA identical to exon 3 of the POMC gene, which includes the ß‐endorphin coding domain. The amount of POMC mRNA in cells of the anterior arcuate nucleus, as assessed by grain counts, was significantly decreased in oestradiol benzoate‐ compared with oil‐treated animals at 1600 h of pro‐oestrus, but at none of the other times studied. This finding, together with other data, suggests that the positive feedback stimulation of LHRH mRNA synthesis by oestradiol‐17ß may be due, in part, to the disinhibition of LHRH neurons consequent on inhibition of POMC mRNA biosynthesis in arcuate neurons.
Palestine and Saudi Arabia, Two Different Countries with Two Different Conditions: Are the Determinants of Capital Structure of Corresponding Markets the Same?

This paper investigates the determinants of capital structure of two different countries, Saudi Arabia and Palestine. The analysis employs panel data analysis and seemingly unrelated regression based on a sample of 21 listed Palestinian companies and 61 Saudi companies. The study in this paper extends from 2005 to 2015. The findings of this study indicate that the leverage ratios of both Palestinian and Saudi firms are low. Moreover, the most common determinants of capital structure are found and significantly affecting both Palestinian and Saudi firms, finally the differences in the magnitudes and sign of the coefficients are because of country-level differences and not due to firm-level differences.
Monitoring the South African population’s salt intake: spot urine v. 24 h urine

Abstract Objective The present study set out to determine whether morning spot urine samples can be used to monitor Na (and K) intake levels in South Africa, instead of the ‘gold standard’ 24 h urine sample. Design Participants collected one 24 h and one spot urine sample for Na and K analysis, after which estimations using three different formulas (Kawasaki, Tanaka and INTERSALT) were calculated. Setting Between 2013 and 2015, urine samples were collected from different population groups in South Africa. Subjects A total of 681 spot and 24 h urine samples were collected from white (n 259), black (n 315) and Indian (n 107) subgroups, mostly women. Results The Kawasaki and the Tanaka formulas showed significantly higher (P≤0·001) estimated Na values than the measured 24 h excretion in the whole population (5677·79 and 4235·05 v. 3279·19 mg/d). The INTERSALT formula did not differ from the measured 24 h excretion for the whole population. The Kawasaki formula seemed to overestimate Na excretion in all subgroups tested and also showed the highest degree of bias (−2242 mg/d, 95 % CI−10 659, 6175) compared with the INTERSALT formula, which had the lowest bias (161 mg/d, 95 % CI−4038, 4360). Conclusions Estimations of Na excretion by the three formulas should be used with caution when reporting on Na intake levels. More research is needed to validate and develop a specific formula for the South African context with its different population groups. The WHO’s recommendation of using 24 h urine collection until more studies are carried out is still supported.
EXPLAINING CROSS-NATIONAL VARIATIONS IN THE PREVALENCE OF INFORMAL SECTOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP: LESSONS FROM A SURVEY OF 142 COUNTRIES

The aim of this paper is to evaluate four competing theoretical perspectives that explain cross-national variations in the level of informal sector entrepreneurship. Scholarship has until now argued that informal entrepreneurship is a result of either: economic under-development and a lack of modernization of governance (modernization theory); high taxes and state over-interference (neo-liberal theory); inadequate state intervention to protect workers from poverty (political economy theory) or the asymmetry between the laws and regulations of formal institutions and the unwritten socially shared rules of informal institutions (institutional theory). Reporting the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) on the varying prevalence of informal entrepreneurship across 142 countries, the finding is that neo-liberal theory is refuted but the tenets of the modernization, political economy and institutional theories are confirmed. Informal entrepreneurship is found to be significantly higher when there is economic under-development, a lack of modernization of governance, inadequate state intervention to protect workers from poverty and greater asymmetry between the formal and informal institutions. The paper concludes by discussing the theoretical and policy implications of these findings.
The Multidimensional Effects of Religion on Socioeconomic Development: A Review of the Empirical Literature

Religion plays a fundamental role in most people's lives with profound implications for socioeconomic development. This survey provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the causal mechanisms between religion and development discussed and tested in the economics literature, and reviews quantitative empirical evidence on the actual effects of religion on economic and social dimensions of development. We start by disaggregating the concept of religion into four religious dimensions and propose a framework to conceptualize causal mechanisms. Numerous mechanisms are possible but only a few uncontested findings exist. Religion is ambivalent vis‐a‐vis development: although religious ideas can foster certain forms of human capital acquisition and labor market participation, scholars have found a negative relationship between religious dimensions and both income and gender equality as well as innovation activities. Religious identity is also a source of labor market discrimination and has ambivalent effects on economic growth and social cohesion. Methodological challenges refer to the availability of fine‐grained data, especially for developing countries, the use of concepts and definitions, and the lack of causal inference.
A Zero-Voltage Switching Three-Phase Inverter

A new modulation scheme for the active clamping zero-voltage switching (ZVS) inverter is proposed. With the proposed modulation scheme, the inverter can realize ZVS operation in all switching devices and can remarkably suppress the reverse recovery current in insulated-gate bipolar transistor's antiparallel diodes as well. All the switches can operate at a fixed frequency in the new modulation scheme. Also, with the new modulation scheme, the ZVS inverter has some voltage boost capability, which is suitable for renewable energy generation. The inverter can achieve ZVS in all the switches under the grid current power factor angle from zero to ±π/6. The soft-switching condition of this inverter is analyzed. The operation principal and design guideline are described in detail. The previous theory is verified in a 30-kW inverter prototype.
Attitudes and Behaviors with Regards to Androgenic Anabolic Steroids Among Male Adolescents in a County of Sweden

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes towards androgenic anabolic steroids among male adolescents who have used anabolics compared to those who have not. Design and Setting. A cross-sectional survey was performed in the year 2000 in all secondary schools in the county of Halland on the west coast of Sweden. Participants and Measurements. An anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to all classes with 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old male adolescents. The response rate was 92.7% (n = 4049). Findings. Those who admitted having used androgenic anabolic steroids differed in several ways from those who had not. Fewer believed androgenic anabolic steroids to be harmful [odds ratio (OR) = 0.15, 95% CI 0.08–0.30] and more believed that girls preferred boys with large muscles (OR = 6.1, 95% CI 3.4–11.0). They trained more often at gyms (OR = 5.6, 95% CI 3.0–10.6), drank more alcohol (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 2.0–9.1), and had used narcotic drugs more often (OR = 15.3, 95% CI 8.5–27.5) than the other male adolescents. More immigrants than native-born adolescents had used anabolics (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 2.2–7.9). Conclusion. Attitudes towards anabolics differ between users and nonusers. These aspects may be beneficial to focus on as one part of a more complex intervention program in order to change these attitudes and decrease the misuse of androgenic anabolic steroids.
Western Blot Analysis of Sera Reactive to Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis and Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Agents

ABSTRACT Laboratory diagnosis of human ehrlichioses is routinely made by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using cultured ehrlichia-infected whole cells as antigen. Concern has been raised that incorrect diagnoses of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) or human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) may be made on the basis of serologic cross-reactivity between Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the agent of HGE. The present study examined whether two recombinant major outer membrane proteins, rP30 and rP44, that were previously shown to be sensitive and specific serodiagnostic antigens for HME and HGE, respectively, could be used to discriminate IFA dually reacting sera. Thirteen dually IFA-reactive sera, three sera that were IFA positive only with E. chaffeensis, and three sera that were IFA positive only with the HGE agent were examined by Western immunoblot analysis using purified whole organisms and recombinant proteins as antigens. All 16 E. chaffeensis IFA-positive sera reacted with rP30. However, none of these sera reacted with rP44, regardless of IFA reactivity with the HGE agent. The three HGE-agent-only IFA-positive sera reacted only with rP44, not with rP30. Western immunoblotting using purified E. chaffeensis and the HGE agent as antigens suggested that heat shock and other proteins, but not major outer membrane proteins, cross-react between the two organisms. Therefore, Western immunoblot analysis using rP44 and rP30 may be useful in discriminating dually HME and HGE IFA-reactive sera.