Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Portal fibroblasts: Underappreciated mediators of biliary fibrosis

Portal fibroblasts are an important yet often overlooked nonparenchymal cell population in the liver. They are distinct from hepatic stellate cells, yet like stellate cells differentiate in the setting of chronic injury to fibrogenic myofibroblasts, playing an important role in collagen production in the fibrotic liver. Portal fibroblasts (PFs) are located adjacent to bile duct epithelia and thus play a particularly significant role in biliary fibrosis. New data suggest that they may also have key functions independent of fibrogenesis. This review addresses the definition and characteristics of PFs as well as their signaling pathways, interactions with the biliary epithelium, and contributions to liver pathobiology. Conclusion: PFs are an important and multifunctional nonparenchymal cell population in need of further study. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
College Choice as a Collective Decision

Although the choice between colleges can be thought of as being made collectively by a family, models of educational choice almost universally portray the decision as made by the student alone. Using a novel experimental method for identifying collective decision functions, I find that students have more influence than parents over the decision, but not exclusive control. Students care more than parents about classroom experience and future earnings. Ignoring the dual‐agent nature of the decision can weaken predictions and lead to poorly targeted policy designs. (JEL I21, J24, D13)
Detection of Deep Myometrial Invasion in Endometrial Carcinoma: Comparison of Trans vaginal Ultrasound, CT, and MRI

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of transvaginal US (TVUS), CT, and MRI in detecting deep myometrial invasion in endometrial carcinoma. Materials and Methods Twenty-six patients with endometrial carcinoma were evaluated with TVUS, CT, and MRI. The depth of myometrial invasion was estimated in each examination. The invasion depth was categorized into no/superficial and deep and was compared to surgical and pathologic findings. Results At pathologic examination, the depth of myometrial invasion was no/superficial in 16 patients and deep in 10. The accuracy/sensitivity/specificity of TVUS, CT, and MRI in detecting deep myometrial invasion were 69/50/81, 61/40/75, and 89%/90%/88%, respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of MRI in detecting deep myometrial invasion were significantly higher than those of TVUS and CT (p = 0.049 for both sensitivity and accuracy). Conclusion We recommend MRI instead of CT or TVUS for the evaluation of the depth of myometrial invasion in endometrial carcinoma.
Lower Insulin Secretory Response to Glucose Induced by Artificial Nutrition in Children: Prolonged and Total Parenteral Nutrition

Long-term parenteral nutrition (TPN) in children is associated with sustained hyperinsulinemia due to a high nutriment infusion flow 12 h/24 h, with plausible lipotoxicity secondary to repeated lipid infusions and with changes in incretin hormone release. The aim of this study was to test whether long-term TPN can lead to an alteration in β-cell function. Thirteen children (age 9.5 ± 3.9 y) on total TPN without obvious alternation in glucose tolerance were included. β-Cell function was quantified with an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and a graded glucose infusion. First phase insulin release (FPIR) was low in five patients. The same demonstrated a lower insulin release under graded glucose infusion, although plasma glucose reached values as high as 15 mM. These data emphasize that metabolic conditions induced by TPN can lead to lower insulin secretory response to glucose. Patients who remain dependent on TPN are at risk of developing glucose tolerance disorders.
Social media and migration: Virtual community 2.0

Research indicates that migrants' social media usage in Ireland enables a background awareness of friends and acquaintances that supports bonding capital and transnational communities in ways not previously reported. Interview data from 65 Polish and Filipino non-nationals in Ireland provide evidence that their social media practices enable a shared experience with friends and relations living outside Ireland that is not simply an elaboration of the social relations enabled by earlier Internet applications. Social media usage enables a passive monitoring of others, through the circulation of voice, video, text, and pictures, that maintains a low level mutual awareness and supports a dispersed community of affinity. This ambient, or background, awareness of others enhances and supports dispersed communities by contributing to bonding capital. This may lead to significant changes in the process of migration by slowing down the process of integration and participation in host societies while also encouraging continual movement of migrants from one society to another. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kidney Transplantation After Previous Liver Transplantation: Analysis of the Organ Procurement Transplant Network Database

Background. Patients after liver transplant have a high incidence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We investigated kidney transplantation after liver transplantation using the Organ Procurement Transplant Network database. Methods. The Organ Procurement Transplant Network database was queried for patients who received kidney transplantation after previous liver transplantation. These patients were compared with patients who received primary kidney transplantation alone during the same time period. Results. Between 1997 and 2008, 157,086 primary kidney transplants were performed. Of these, 680 deceased donor kidney transplants and 410 living donor kidney transplants were performed in previous recipients of liver transplants. The number of kidney after liver transplants performed each year has increased from 37 per year to 124 per year in 2008. The time from liver transplant to kidney transplant increased from 8.2 to 9.0 years for living donor transplants and from 5.4 to 9.6 years for deceased donor. The 1, 3, and 5 year actuarial graft survival in both living donor kidney after liver transplant and deceased donor kidney after liver transplant are less than the kidney transplant alone patients. However, the death-censored graft survivals are equal. The patient survival is also less but is similar to what would be expected in liver transplant recipients who did not have ESRD. In 2008, kidney after liver transplantation represented 0.9% of the total kidney alone transplants performed in the United States. Conclusion. Kidney transplantation is an appropriate therapy for selected patients who develop ESRD after liver transplantation.
Expression of 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) in the developing olfactory bulb and subventricular zone rostral extension

The olfactory bulb (OB) presents a unique pattern of permanent acquisition of primary afferents and interneurons, but not much detail is known about the differentiation of its oligodendroglial cells. We studied the expression of 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase), a protein related to axonal ensheathment by myelinating cells. Expression of CNPase in OB follows a general caudorostral gradient, with the exception of the glomerular layer (GL). At postnatal day 5–6 (P5–P6), the first CNPase+ profiles appeared in the dorsal lateral olfactory tract adjacent to the accessory OB (AOB), followed by rare cell bodies and processes in AOB internal plexiform layer at P7. At P9, the main OB (MOB) granular cell layer (GrCL) already showed intensely stained CNPase+ processes. From P5 to P12, small numbers of CNPase+ cells were found in the subventricular zone (SVZ), throughout its rostral extension (SVZ‐RE), and in the intrabulbar subependymal layer. The appearance of CNPase+ profiles delimiting glomeruli started in the GL rostralmost region at P12, extending to all GL levels, but glomeruli remained open caudally at P15. At P18, oligodendroglial glomeruli were evident throughout OB, but the adult pattern was established only after P30. There was no age‐related loss of CNPase immunoreactivity in glial cell bodies, possibly indicating de novo ensheathment of neurites. Our results show an earlier onset of oligodendroglial differentiation in OB than previously reported and a rostrocaudal gradient of formation of oligodendroglial glomeruli. They also raise the possibility that a minor fraction of OB oligodendrocytes might derive from the SVZ‐RE. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cointegration and Causality Relationship Between Stock Market, Money Market and Foreign Exchange Market in Pakistan

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between stock market (KSE-100), money market (M2 and 180 days T-bill rate), and foreign exchange market (ER: PKR/USD) in Pakistan by using monthly data covering the period from 2000:M1 to 2015:M12. The study investigates long-run equilibrium relationship between these three financial markets by employing Johansen and Juselius[1] cointegration tests. Long-run and short-run causality relationship between stock market and other macroeconomic variables is also established by employing vector error correction model (VECM) and pairwise granger causality tests. The results of multivariate cointegration test (trace test) indicate a one cointegrating vector, and the significant normalized cointegrating coefficients are evident of long run equilibrium relationship between all the selected variables. Negative and significant ECT (− 1) for all variables during full sample period witness the presence of long-run causality connection among variables, while during the military regime and democratic regime, significant difference of long-run causal connections are identified across the regimes. Moreover, the results of granger causality test also indicate that there are significant variations in the causality relationship among variables across the regimes. Therefore, it is essential for forecasting, planning and policy making to consider the importance of political governance system while analyzing the historical cointegration among financial market and make the necessary adjustments accordingly.
Resting Energy Expenditure Is Decreased in Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1A.

CONTEXT Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A (PHP1A) is caused by loss-of-function mutations on the maternally inherited GNAS allele and is associated with early-onset obesity, neurocognitive defects, and resistance to multiple hormones. The role of energy intake vs central regulation of energy expenditure in the pathophysiology of obesity remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate resting energy expenditure (REE) in participants with PHP1A. DESIGN We assessed REE, biochemical, endocrine, and auxological status of 12 participants with PHP1A who had normal or elevated body mass index; controls were a cohort of 156 obese participants. SETTING This study took place at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia and Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES REE as a percent of predicted REE was the outcome measure. RESULTS PHP1A participants had normal endocrine status while receiving appropriate hormone replacement therapy, but had significantly decreased REE as a percent of predicted REE (using the modified Schofield equation). CONCLUSION Our results are consistent with REE being the principal cause of obesity in PHP1A rather than it being caused by excessive energy intake or endocrine dysfunction.
Valbenazine for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a hyperkinetic movement disorder that may result from treatment with antipsychotics or other dopamine receptor blocking agents. Underlying pathophysiology is incompletely understood but since the 1970s dopamine depleting agents have been used to reduce involuntary movements. The search for safe, effective treatments for TD is ongoing. Valbenazine, a novel VMAT2 inhibitor, has recently been FDA approved for treatment of TD. Areas covered: An overview of TD, unmet medical needs and current treatment guidelines are presented. The background, chemistry and clinical development of valbenazine to treat TD is detailed. A competitive market is developing as the treatment gap is identified and potential therapies are discussed in context of a broader market overview. Expert opinion: Antipsychotic use is growing among adults and children in the U.S. Consequently, prevalence of TD is expected to rise. Cessation of antipsychotics is often not possible as the psychiatric condition may deteriorate. Increasing doses of an antipsychotic to suppress involuntary movements is not sustainable long term as underlying TD worsens and movements typically recur. There were no FDA approved treatments for TD. The approval of valbenazine to treat TD is a critical step in addressing this gap in neurologic care.
Bridging the accountability and transparency gap in inter-municipal collaboration

ABSTRACT Municipal governments are increasingly showing interest in inter-municipal cooperation. Often overlooked in the discussion of such collaborative relationships are concerns related to accountability and transparency. In this article, we introduce a framework to measure accountability and transparency in inter-local relationships and test it with a brief case study of inter-municipal cooperative agreements collected from the Greater Toronto Area. Overall, the agreements collected score very low on our accountability scale, mainly because of low levels of public access and poor internal accountability. We conclude the study by examining the challenges of having multiple lines of accountability in local service collaboration.
THE CONTRIBUTORY EFFECTS OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ON E-GOVERNMENT ADOPTION AMONG NIGERIANS

The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which socio-cultural factors, specifically, age, gender, and ethnic background influence the adoption of e-government services by Nigerians. Three aspects of the program (e-government) were identified viz. openness, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.The methodology of this research is quantitative research based on a survey method using questionnaire as a data collection technique. The findings showed that age, gender and ethnic background all affect the satisfaction and adoption of e-government in Nigeria. It is believed that policy makers will find it helpful if they knew citizens' perceptions toward e-government services.
Alteration of Delay and Trace Eyeblink Conditioning in Fibromyalgia Patients

Objective: Classical conditioning processes are important for the generation and persistence of symptoms in psychosomatic disorders, such as the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Pharmacologically induced hyper- and hypocortisolism were shown to affect trace but not delay classical eyeblink conditioning. As previous studies revealed a relative hypocortisolism in FMS patients, we hypothesized that FMS patients also show altered eyeblink conditioning. Methods: FMS patients (n = 30) and healthy control subjects (n = 20) matched for gender and age were randomly assigned to a delay or trace eyeblink conditioning protocol, where conditioned eyeblink response probability was assessed by electromyogram. Morning cortisol levels, ratings of depression, anxiety as well as psychosomatic complaints, general symptomatology, and psychological distress were assessed. Results: As compared with healthy controls, FMS patients showed lower morning cortisol levels, corroborating previously described disturbances in neuroendocrine regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in these patients. Trace eyeblink conditioning was facilitated in FMS patients, whereas delay eyeblink conditioning was reduced, and cortisol measures correlated significantly only with trace eyeblink conditioning. Conclusion: We conclude that FMS patients characterized by decreased cortisol levels differ in classical trace eyeblink conditioning from healthy controls, suggesting that endocrine mechanisms affecting hippocampus-mediated forms of associative learning may play a role in the generation of symptoms in these patients. CR = conditioned response; CS = conditioned stimulus; FMS = fibromyalgia syndrome; EMG = electromyogram; HPA = hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal; SCID = Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition; US = unconditioned stimulus.
Associations Between a Dopamine D4 Receptor Gene, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Behaviors Among Female Adolescent African Americans

Young female adolescent African Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV infection. There is a clear need to understand factors associated with increased HIV-risk behaviors among this vulnerable population. We sought to explore the association between a dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4), a genetic marker associated with natural variations in rewarding behaviors, and self-reported alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors, while controlling for other known correlates of risk-taking such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and peer norms, among a group of high-risk female adolescent African Americans to evaluate whether this biological factor enhances understanding of the patterns of risk in this vulnerable group.
Epiretinal membrane and cystoid macular edema as predictive factors of recurrent proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Purpose Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is the most common cause of recurrent retinal detachment (RD). We sought to determine the predictive factors of recurrent PVR formation and the need for additional vitreoretinal surgical intervention after uncomplicated primary RD repair. Methods This is a retrospective single-center case–control study of consecutive patients with PVR formation after uncomplicated RD repair. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with recurrent PVR formation. Results Thirty-seven eyes (37 patients) who had recurrent RD secondary to PVR formation were included. Among those, 27 eyes needed one additional surgery, whereas the remainder 10 eyes required two or more additional surgeries. In the univariate analysis, patients who had cystoid macular edema (CME) after the second surgery were 8.33 times (crude odds ratio [COR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–56.67, p=0.0302) more likely to have recurrent PVR formation compared to those who did not have CME after the second surgery. Similarly, those who had epiretinal membrane (ERM) after the second surgery were 8.00 times (COR, 95% CI: 1.43–44.92, p=0.0182) more likely to have recurrent PVR formation compared to those who did not have ERM after the second surgery. In the multivariate analysis, patients who had ERM after the second surgery were 8.20 times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 95% CI: 1.08–62.40, p=0.0422) more likely to develop recurrent PVR compared to those who did not have ERM after the second surgery, when adjusted for age, sex, and CME after the second surgery. Conclusion ERM and CME are potential predictive factors for recurrent PVR formation after uncomplicated primary RD repair. Early recognition and treatment of ERM and CME may be critical to prevent subsequent PVR formation and improve visual outcomes.
Do acculturation and family cohesiveness influence severity of diabetes among Mexican Americans?

OBJECTIVE The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of family cohesiveness, acculturation, socioeconomic position, and cardiovascular risk factors on severity of diabetes among Mexican Americans. DESIGN AND STUDY POPULATION The cross-sectional study involved a consecutive sample of 275 Mexican Americans under treatment for type 2 diabetes recruited from two medical clinics on the north side of Fort Worth, Texas. Recruitment and data collection took place during a span of 24 months from December 2001 to December 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hemoglobin A1C levels, available from medical charts, were used to indicate diabetes severity. Cases were defined as individuals with poorly controlled or severe diabetes based upon abnormally high hemoglobin A1C (> or = 7.0). Controls were defined as individuals with well-controlled or mild-moderate diabetes as reflected in a normal hemoglobin A1C (< 7.0). A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to study participants to collect data on protective factors related to family cohesiveness and acculturation, demographic and socioeconomic variables, and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS The results suggest that several variables were associated with severity of diabetes, including, receipt of food stamps, having spent childhood in Mexico, and current smoking status. Other variables representing acculturation and family cohesiveness, separately or combined, approached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Even though acculturation and family cohesiveness as schemas were not statistically significant because of small sample size, they highlight the importance of building more sophisticated models for testing their association with severity of diabetes.
New antigen for antibody detect ion in myasthenia gravis

We assayed anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies in 61 myasthenic patients using human and fetal calf muscle AChR as antigen. Anti-AChR antibodies were detected in 85% of patients with human AChR and in 80% with fetal calf AChR. In 27 patients, the titers detected with fetal calf AChR were higher than those obtained with human AChR. Titers with different fetal calf AChRpreparations were reproducible. Fetal calf AChR is a suitable antigen for immunologic analysis of myasthenic patients.
Influence of Loading and Use of Occlusal Splint in Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the tensions generated in the long axis of the implants and the interimplants in the cervical, middle, and apical regions when subjected to different loads with or without interposition of the flat occlusal plane splint. A photoelastic model was made with 2 external hexagon implants located in the space corresponding to the second premolar and molar inferiors. A screw-retained metal superstructure was installed on the implants with a torque of 20 N·cm, and the set (photoelastic model with superstructure) were positioned in the circular polariscope in the dark-field configuration to observe the distribution of isochromatic fringes around the implants and interimplant areas. Photographic records were obtained before the application of the occlusal load with the following loading conditions: 300, 600, and 900 N, with and without interposition of the occlusal plane splint. The decrease in stress with the application of the flat occlusal plane splint became more evident after the application of the 600-N load. Generally, the major stress magnitude occurred in the cervical region for interimplant areas and in the apical region around implants. Use of occlusal splint in the loading of 300, 600, and 900 N reduced tension 33.22%, 66.66%, and 73.33%, respectively, in the samples. It can be concluded that the interposition of the occlusal plane splint caused a reduction in tension resulting from the simulation of occlusal overload.
2Mb Spin-Transfer Torque RAM (SPRAM) with Bit-by-Bit Bidirectional Current Write and Parallelizing-Direction Current Read

A 1.8V 2Mb spin-transfer torque RAM chip using a 0.2mum logic process with an MgO tunneling barrier cell demonstrates the circuit technologies for potential low-power non-volatile RAM, or universal memory. This chip features an array scheme with bit-by-bit bidirectional current write to achieve proper spin-transfer torque writing in 100ns, and parallelizing-direction current reading with a low-voltage bit-line that leads to 40ns access time.