Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Requirement for interleukin‐12 in the pathogenesis of warm hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion causes neutrophil‐dependent liver injury. Although the mechanisms of ischemia/reperfusion‐induced liver neutrophil recruitment are somewhat understood, less is known regarding the early events that initiate the inflammatory injury. Using a murine model of partial hepatic ischemia and reperfusion, we evaluated the role of endogenous interleukin (IL)‐12 in this inflammatory response. Hepatic ischemia for 90 minutes and reperfusion for up to 4 hours resulted in hepatocyte expression of IL‐12. By 8 hours of reperfusion there were large increases in serum levels of interferon‐γ (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα). In addition, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion caused significant increases in liver neutrophil recruitment, hepatocellular injury, and liver edema, as defined by liver myeloperoxidase content, serum alanine aminotransferase, and liver wet to dry weight ratios, respectively. In mice treated with neutralizing antibody to IL‐12 and in mice deficient in the IL‐12 p40 gene, ischemia/reperfusion‐induced increases in IFNγ and TNFα were greatly diminished. These conditions also caused significant reductions in liver myeloperoxidase content and attenuated the parameters of liver injury. The data suggest that IL‐12 is required for the full induction of injury after hepatic ischemia and reperfusion.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on future seasonal influenza epidemic

Seasonal influenza viruses typically cause annual epidemics worldwide infecting 5-15% of the human population. However, during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal influenza virus circulation was unprecedentedly low with very few reported infections. The lack of immune stimulation to influenza viruses during this time, combined with waning antibody titres to previous influenza virus infections, could lead to increased susceptibility to influenza in the coming seasons and to larger and more severe epidemics when infection prevention measures against COVID-19 are relaxed. Here, based on serum samples from 165 adults collected longitudinally before and during the pandemic, we show that the waning of antibody titres against seasonal influenza viruses during the first two years of the pandemic is likely to be negligible. Using historical influenza virus epidemiological data from 2003-2019, we also show that low country-level prevalence of each influenza subtype over one or more years has only small impacts on subsequent epidemic size. These results suggest that the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses remained largely unchanged during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and that the sizes of future seasonal influenza virus epidemics will likely be similar to those observed before the pandemic.
Effect of Tween 80 on glucosyltransferase production in Streptococcus mutans

Glucan production from sucrose by Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 was stimulated approximately threefold in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80. When OMZ 176 was grown in a medium containing glucose, the glucosyltransferase level in the medium was also increased about fivefold in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80. The glucosyltransferase level increased in proportion to the logarithm of the concentration of Tween 80 in the glucose medium. Tween 80 affected neither bacterial growth nor the activity of glucosyltransferase. The appearance of glucosyltransferase in the glucose medium was inhibited immediately by chloramphenicol and actinomycin D and, after a lag, by rifampin as well. It was observed that the fatty acid composition of the cells grown with Tween 80 was altered. These results suggest that Tween 80 stimulates glucosyltransferase synthesis either directly, or indirectly by promoting glucosyltransferase secretion.
In silico prediction of drug‐binding strengths to human serum albumin

Drug binding to Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is an area of intense research. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs are strongly affected by their binding to this protein. In this article, the field is reviewed, as well as our models to predict drug‐binding affinities to HSA from drug structure. The physiological role of HSA is described, as well as its influence in drug action. The crystal structures of this protein are discussed, emphasizing the two drug‐binding sites and the fatty acids binding sites observed therein. The advantages of using high‐performance affinity chromatography to rapidly screen drugs for HSA binding are explained. The different QSAR models for HSA binding of restricted families of drugs (both from other groups and our group) are enumerated. Finally, a detailed description of our general models to predict drug‐binding strengths to HSA from structure is given. It is expected for these models to be useful in drug design and pharmaceutical research. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 23, No. 3, 275‐301, 2003
[The desmopressin test in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease].

INTRODUCTION Early and precise diagnosis is necessary in successful treatment of the patients with Cushing's disease. Transsphenoidal surgery is the first line treatment option in Cushing's disease. In patients in whom magnetic resonance imaging does not visualise pituitary adenoma patient selection for surgical treatment should be based on convincing results of functional tests. OBJECTIVES The diagnostic accuracy of the desmopressin test was compared with that of the CRH test and the overnight high-dose dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease. DESIGN AND METHOD We studied 15 patients with pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease (10 with detected microadenoma and 5 with undetected microadenoma using magnetic resonance imaging). The diagnosis was confirmed during pituitary surgery. The control group included 15 subjects without Cushing's syndrome. Patients underwent tests with desmopressin, CRH and 8 mg overnight dexamethasone. RESULTS A false negative response to CRH was present in 1 of 15 patients, a false negative response t dexamethasone was present in 1 of 15 patients and a false negative response to desmopressin in 2 of 15 patients. In other patients positive responses to CRH, desmopressin and dexamethasone were found. A positive response to desmopressin was present in 4 of 5 patients with undetected pituitary adenoma. In the control group a positive response to CRH and dexamethazone and a negative response to desmopressin was found in all patients. CONCLUSIONS 1. The highest diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of some patients with Cushing's disease is achieved by using a desmopressin test with high-dose dexamethasone test and CRH-test. 2. The desmopressin test can be used to precisely identify healthy individuals.
Reduced Ribosomal Protein S6 Phosphorylation After Progressive Resistance Exercise in Growing Adolescent Rats

Abstract Hellyer, NJ, Nokleby, JJ, Thicke, BM, Zhan, W-Z, Sieck, GC, and Mantilla, CB. Reduced ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation after progressive resistance exercise in growing adolescent rats. J Strength Cond Res 26(6): 1657–1666, 2012—The purpose of this study was to investigate moderate intensity progressive resistance exercise (PRE) in growing adolescent rats and its effect on muscle hypertrophy (defined as an increase in fiber cross-sectional area [CSA]). We hypothesized that in adolescent animals moderate intensity PRE would increase (a) fiber CSA; (b) myosin heavy chain (MyHC) content; and (c) expression and phosphorylation of cell signaling molecules involved in translational regulation, compared with that in age-matched sedentary (SED) controls. In the PRE group, 3-week-old male rats were trained to climb a vertical ladder as a mode of PRE training such that by 10 weeks all animals in the PRE group had progressed to carry an additional 80% of their body weight per climb. In agreement with our hypotheses, we observed that 10 weeks of moderate PRE in adolescent animals was sufficient to increase the CSA of muscle fibers and increase MyHC content. The average muscle fiber CSA increased by >10%, and the total MyHC content increased by 35% (p < 0.05) in the PRE group compared with that in the SED animals. Concurrently, we investigated sustained changes in the expression and phosphorylation of key signaling molecules that are previously identified regulators of hypertrophy in adult animal models. Contrary to our hypotheses, expression and phosphorylation of the translational regulators mammalian target of rapamycin and Akt were not increased in the PRE group. In addition, we observed that the ratio of phosphorylated-to-unphosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) was reduced over sixfold in PRE animals (p < 0.05) and that total rpS6 protein levels were unchanged between PRE and SED animals (p > 0.05). We conclude that moderate intensity PRE is sufficient to induce muscle hypertrophy in adolescent animals, whereas the signaling mechanisms associated with muscle hypertrophy may differ between growing adolescents and adults.
Age overstatement and Puerto Rican longevity.

Recent official statistics show that life expectancy among both males and females in Puerto Rico exceeds that for males and females in the United States. Furthermore the population of Puerto Rico appears to be one of the most longevous in the world with levels of survival after age 45 exceeding that in all but a few countries. The validity of these longevity estimates is examined using various demographic techniques to investigate the accuracy of census and vital statistics data. The findings provide strong evidence of widespread overstatement of age at the older ages. Such overstatement produces mortality rates that are too low and thus overstate the expectation of life; as a result current life tables need to be modified. (EXCERPT)
Near-Death Experiences and the Temporal Lobe

Many studies in humans suggest that altered temporal lobe functioning, especially functioning in the right temporal lobe, is involved in mystical and religious experiences. We investigated temporal lobe functioning in individuals who reported having transcendental “near-death experiences” during life-threatening events. These individuals were found to have more temporal lobe epileptiform electroencephalographic activity than control subjects and also reported significantly more temporal lobe epileptic symptoms. Contrary to predictions, epileptiform activity was nearly completely lateralized to the left hemisphere. The near-death experience was not associated with dysfunctional stress reactions such as dissociation, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, but rather was associated with positive coping styles. Additional analyses revealed that near-death experiencers had altered sleep patterns, specifically, a shorter duration of sleep and delayed REM sleep relative to the control group. These results suggest that altered temporal lobe functioning may be involved in the near-death experience and that individuals who have had such experiences are physiologically distinct from the general population.
Strategies for integrating primary health services in middle- and low-income countries at the point of delivery.

BACKGROUND Strategies to integrate primary health care aim to bring together inputs, organisation, management and delivery of particular service functions to make them more efficient, and accessible to the service user. In some middle and low income countries, services have been fragmented by separate vertical programmes established to ensure delivery of particular technologies. We examined the effectiveness of integration strategies at the point of delivery. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of strategies to integrate primary health care services on producing a more coherent product and improving health care delivery and health status. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group specialised register (August 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to September 2005), EMBASE (1988 to 2005), Socio Files (1974 to September 2005), Popline (1970 to September 2005), HealthStar (1975 to September 2005), Cinahl (1982 to September 2005); Cab Health (1972 to 1999), International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (1970 to 1999), and reference lists of articles. We also searched the Internet and World Health Organization (WHO) library database, hand searched relevant WHO publications and contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials, controlled before and after studies, and interrupted time series analyses of integration strategies in primary health care services. Health services in high-income countries were excluded. The primary outcomes were indicators of health care delivery, user views on any measure of service coherence, and health status. We also sought information on comparative costs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. MAIN RESULTS Three cluster randomised trials and two controlled before and after studies were included, with three types of comparison: integration by adding on an additional component to an existing service (family planning); integrated services versus single special services (for sex workers); integrated delivery systems versus a vertical service (for family planning); and packages of enhanced primary child care services (integrated management of childhood illnesses) vs. routine child care. Interventions were complex and in some studies inputs varied substantially between comparison arms. Overall, no consistent pattern emerged. Only one study attempted to assess the user's view of the service provided. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Few studies of good quality, large and with rigorous study design have been carried out to investigate strategies to promote service integration in low and middle income countries. All describe the service supply side, and none examine or measure aspects of the demand side. Future studies must also assess the client's view, as this will influence uptake of integration strategies and their effectiveness on community health.
INVESTIGATION TOWARDS THE LONG-RUN PERFORMANCE OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS: EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIAN CAPITAL MARKET

We study the long-term performance of IPO share issued in Indonesia during the 1996-2001 periods. The IPOs in this period are mostly concentrated in Finance, Trade, Property and Basic Industry & Chemicals. The cumulative abnormal return (CAR) and buy-and-hold abnormal return (BHAR) in the third year are 15.83% and negative 68.02%, respectively. The CAR and BHAR in the fifth year are negative 1% and negative 139.7%, respectively. The highest CAR for 3 and 5 years are mining industry, with 289.29% and 226.80%, respectively. The lowest CAR for third year is trade, service & investment industry, with negative 59.36% and fifth year is agriculture with negative 59.72%. The lowest BHAR for third and fifth year is trade, service and investment industry with negative 113.01% and negative 230.99 respectively. The long-run performance using cumulative abnormal return is similar with the market and cannot outperform the market.
A Rare Case of Malonic Aciduria Diagnosed by Newborn Screening in Qatar

Malonic aciduria is a rare autosomal recessive organic acid disorder. With the widespread use of tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of the amino acid/acylcarnitine profile on dried blood spots for newborn screening (NBS), this condition can be readily diagnosed and can be included in the organic acid screen in NBS programs. In Qatar, we report the first case of an asymptomatic baby screened and diagnosed with malonic aciduria through NBS. This patient has a genetic variant of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase that has not been previously reported in the literature. This condition should be differentiated from a similar disorder, combined malonic and methylmalonic aciduria. The clinical phenotype of malonic aciduria is variable and the pathophysiology is not fully understood. There is no established guidance or recommendations regarding the appropriate treatment regimen, dietary therapy or regular follow-up of these patients. Most available evidence for treatment is based on a single study or case report.
Econometric Analysis of Pricing and Operational Strategies

This dissertation contains three essays. The first essay, entitled "Pricing and Production Flexibility: An Empirical Analysis of the U.S. Automotive Industry," uses a detailed dataset of the U.S. auto industry to examine the relationship between production flexibility and responsive pricing. Our analysis shows that deploying production flexibility is associated with a reduction in observed discounts and with an increase in plant utilization. Our results allow quantifying some of the benefits of production flexibility. The second essay, entitled "An Empirical Analysis of Reputation in Online Service Marketplaces," uses a detailed dataset from a leading online intermediary for software development services to empirically examine the role of reputation on choices and prices in service marketplaces. We find that buyers trade off reputation and price and are willing to accept higher bids posted by more reputable bidders. Sellers primarily use a superior reputation to increase their probability of being selected, as opposed to increasing their prices. Our analysis shows that the numerical reputation score has a smaller effect in situations where there exists a previous relationship between buyer and seller, when the seller has certified his or her skills, when the seller is local, or in situations that prompt higher interpersonal trust. The third essay, entitled "The Effects of Product Line Breadth: Evidence from the Automotive Industry," studies the effects of product line breadth on market shares and costs, using data from the U.S. automotive industry. Our results show a positive association between product line breadth and market share and production costs. Beyond the effects on production costs, we study the effect of product line breadth on mismatch costs, which arise from demand uncertainty, and we find that product line breadth has a substantial impact on average discounts and inventories. Our results also show that platform strategies can reduce production costs and that a broader product line can provide a hedge against changes in demand conditions. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Operations & Information Management First Advisor Christian Terwiesch
Firm Dynamics: Firm Entry and Exit in Canada, 2000 to 2008

This paper examines firm entry and exit patterns in the Canadian business sector by using the Longitudinal Employment Analysis Program database developed by Statistics Canada. Our primary purpose is to present stylized facts and provide descriptive analysis of the entry and exit patterns in the Canadian economy in order to form a solid foundation for future in-depth theoretical and empirical studies of firm dynamics. In particular, this paper focuses on the relative importance of entrants and exiters in terms of both number and employment, the persistence of entry and exit patterns over time, and the correlation between industry entry and exit rates.
Similar myogenic functions for myogenin and MRF4 but not MyoD in differentiated murine embryonic stem cells

Summary: The emergence of four genes encoding myogenic bHLH transcription factors in the stem vertebrate is a unique feature of vertebrate evolution that led to the acquisition of new target genes and novel regulatory circuits for skeletal muscle formation. One unresolved question is the extent to which each factor has evolved specialized functions for regulating muscle gene transcription. We have developed a system using differentiated myogenin (‐/‐) embryonic stem (ES) cells to determine whether other myogenic factors can replace myogenin's function in muscle differentiation. Previously, we showed that constitutively expressed myogenin restores myofiber formation in differentiated myogenin (‐/‐) ES cells, but constitutively expressed MyoD does not. Here, we confirm the distinction between myogenin and MyoD using another expression vector and show that constitutively expressed MRF4 leads to myofiber formation in myogenin's absence. Our analysis reveals a correlation between the levels of myogenin plus MRF4 and the extent of myofiber formation, suggesting a synergy between these factors. The results indicate that unlike MyoD, MRF4 plays a role similar to myogenin in skeletal muscle differentiation. genesis 30:239–249, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of peripheral sudomotor sensitivity to acetylcholine in endurance and non‐endurance trained male subjects

Introduction: We investigated the effect of endurance and non‐endurance training on peripheral sudomotor sensitivity. Methods: The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) was performed. Results: Endurance‐trained subjects (ET, long‐distance runners) had a significantly shorter onset time of sweating, greater sweat volume, increased density of activated sweat glands and sweat gland output per single activated gland, greater volume of transepidermal water loss, and higher skin temperature compared with those in the other 2 groups [non–endurance‐trained group (NET), sedentary control group (CT)]. NET subjects (baseball players) had a tendency to increase in these variables; thus, some values were greater than control subjects. Conclusions: These results suggest that endurance training much more effectively modifies sudomotor sensitivity than non‐endurance training. Muscle Nerve 50: 407–412, 2014
Body mass index, other cardiovascular risk factors, and hospitalization for dementia.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that risk factors commonly associated with coronary disease, stroke, and other vascular disorders also predict dementia. We investigated the longitudinal relationship between body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and risk of hospital discharge or death certificate diagnosis of dementia. METHODS A total of 7402 men who were 47 to 55 years old in 1970 to 1973, without prior stroke or myocardial infarction, derived from a population sample of 9998 men were prospectively followed up until 1998. Two hundred fifty-four men (3.4%) had a hospital discharge diagnosis or a death certificate diagnosis of dementia: 176 with a primary diagnosis or cause of death and 78 with a secondary diagnosis. RESULTS The relationship between BMI and dementia as a primary diagnosis was J-shaped, and men with a BMI between 20.00 and 22.49 had the lowest risk. Subsequently, after adjustment for smoking, blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, diabetes mellitus, and social class, the risk increased linearly in men who had a BMI of 22.50 to 24.99 (multiple-adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-3.25), 25.00 to 27.49 (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.03-3.63), 27.50 to 29.99 (HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.18-4.47), and 30.00 or greater (HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.20-5.36) (P for linear trend = .03). Men with a BMI less than 20.00 had a nonsignificantly elevated risk (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 0.77-6.25). CONCLUSIONS A J-shaped relationship was observed between BMI and dementia, such that a BMI less than 20 and an increasing BMI of 22.5 or greater were associated with increased risk from midlife to old age of a primary hospital diagnosis of dementia. Overweight and obesity could be major preventable factors in the development of dementia.