Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vascular remodeling in response to 12 wk of upper arm unilateral resistance training.

UNLABELLED Participation in regular aerobic exercise has been shown to increase arterial size and that exercise-induced vascular remodeling may be regional rather than systemic. However, these issues have been minimally investigated concerning resistance training. PURPOSES To determine whether 1) resistance training of the nondominant arm elicits an increase in diameter of the brachial artery and 2) unilateral training induces arterial remodeling in the contralateral arm. METHODS Twenty-four previously untrained participants, consisting of 18 females (aged 22.3 +/- 5.1 yr) and 6 males (aged 21.7 +/- 1.8 yr), participated in unilateral strength training of the biceps and triceps for 12 wk using their nondominant arm. Isotonic (one-repetition maximum, 1RM) and isometric (ISO) strength of the biceps were assessed before and after training on both arms. Brachial artery diameter and biceps muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of both arms were also measured before and after training using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS Brachial artery diameter increased 5.47% (P < 0.05) in the nondominant trained arm with no change observed in the dominant untrained arm. Biceps CSA increased 18.3% (P < 0.05) in the trained arm with no change (P > 0.05) in the untrained limb. Nondominant 1RM and ISO strength increased by 35.1% and 16.8%, respectively (P < 0.05 for both), although there were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the contralateral arm. A modest correlation was found between the increases in CSA and in brachial artery diameter (r2 = 0.19, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that upper arm vascular remodeling, manifesting as increased brachial artery diameter, can result from resistance training and that these changes are localized to the trained limb and associated with increases in CSA.
The association of polymorphisms in the type 1 and 2 deiodinase genes with circulating thyroid hormone parameters and atrophy of the medial temporal lobe.

CONTEXT Thyroid function has been related to Alzheimer disease (AD) and neuroimaging markers thereof. Whether thyroid dysfunction contributes to or results from developing AD remains unclear. Variations in the deiodinase type 1 (DIO1) and type 2 (DIO2) genes that potentially alter thyroid hormone bioactivity may help in elucidating the role of thyroid function in AD. OBJECTIVE We investigated the association of recently identified polymorphisms in the DIO1 (D1a-C/T, D1b-A/G) and DIO2 (D2-ORFa-Gly3Asp, D2-Thr92Ala) genes with circulating thyroid parameters and early neuroimaging markers of AD. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS The Rotterdam Scan Study is a population-based cohort study among 1,077 elderly individuals aged 60-90 yr. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES DIO1 and DIO2 polymorphisms and serum TSH, free T4, T3, and reverse T3 (rT3) levels were determined in 995 nondemented elderly, including 473 persons with assessments of hippocampal and amygdalar volume on brain magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Carriers of the D1a-T allele had higher serum free T4 and rT3, lower T3, and lower T3/rT3. The D1b-G allele was associated with higher serum T3 and T3/rT3. The DIO2 variants were not associated with serum thyroid parameters. No associations were found with hippocampal or amygdalar volume. CONCLUSION This is the first study to report an association of D1a-C/T and D1b-A/G polymorphisms with iodothyronine levels in the elderly. Polymorphisms in the DIO1 and DIO2 genes are not associated with early magnetic resonance imaging markers of AD. This suggests that the previously reported association between iodothyronine levels and brain atrophy reflects comorbidity or nonthyroidal illness rather than thyroid hormones being involved in developing AD.
Estrogen Receptor-KRAB Chimeras Are Potent Ligand-dependent Repressors of Estrogen-regulated Gene Expression*

As an approach to targeted repression of genes of interest, we describe the development of human estrogen receptor (ER) α-KRAB repressor domain chimeras that are potent ligand-dependent repressors of the transcription of estrogen response element (ERE)-containing promoters and analyze their mechanisms of action. Repression by the KRAB domain was dominant over transactivation mediated by ER AF1 and AF2. An ERE and an ER ligand (estrogen or antiestrogen) were required for repression. Studies with several promoters and cell lines demonstrated that the presence of EREs, rather than the capacity for estrogen induction, determines the potential for repression of a gene by the KRAB-ERα-KRAB (KERK) chimera. A single consensus ERE was sufficient for repression, but the KERK chimera was unable to suppress transcription from the imperfect ERE in the native pS2 promoter. We recently reported mutations that enhance binding of a steroid receptor DNA-binding domain to the ERE. Introducing these mutations into wild-type ER enhanced transactivation from the pS2 ERE. Insertion of these mutations into KERK created the novel repressor KERK-3M, which is a potent repressor of both ER-induced and basal transcription on a promoter containing the pS2 ERE. These modified ER-KRAB chimeras should prove useful as new tools for the functional analysis and repression of ER-regulated genes.
Trader Leverage and Liquidity

Does trader leverage drive equity market liquidity? We use the unique features of the margin trading system in India to identify a causal relationship between traders’ ability to borrow and a stock’s market liquidity. To quantify the impact of trader leverage, we employ a regression discontinuity design that exploits threshold rules that determine a stock’s margin trading eligibility. We find that liquidity is higher when stocks become eligible for margin trading and that this liquidity enhancement is driven by margin traders’ contrarian strategies. Consistent with downward liquidity spirals due to deleveraging, we also find that this effect reverses during crises.
Programmed Hyperphagia Due to Reduced Anorexigenic Mechanisms in Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Offspring

Maternal food restriction during pregnancy results in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) newborns with significantly decreased plasma leptin levels. When nursed by ad libitum—fed controls, IUGR offspring exhibit hyperphagia with adult obesity, marked by increased percentage body fat and plasma leptin, suggesting altered anorexigenic pathways. The authors examined leptin signaling pathways and food intake responses to 2 putative anorexic effectors (leptin and sibutramine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor) in IUGR offspring. From 10 days to term gestation and through lactation, control pregnant rats received ad libitum food, whereas study rats were 50% food restricted. Following birth, litter size was standardized, and all offspring were nursed by control dams. At 3 weeks of age, offspring were weaned to ad libitum laboratory chow. At ages 1 day and 3 weeks, hypothalamic leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) mRNA and total STAT3 protein expression were determined. In addition, phosphorylated STAT3 was measured in 1-day-old offspring administered peripheral leptin. In prepubescent and adult offspring, anorexic effects of leptin and sibutramine were determined. At 1 day of age, IUGR pups showed increased hypothalamic Ob-Rb mRNA and total STAT3 protein expression though reduced leptin activated phosphorylated STAT3. At 3 weeks of age, IUGR offspring had decreased hypothalamic Ob-Rb mRNA expression, although with continued elevated STAT3 protein levels. The IUGR offspring demonstrated resistance to anorexigenic agents, leptin (6 weeks and 6 months), and sibutramine (8 months), as evidenced by less reduction in food intake and less body weight loss than controls. The IUGR offspring demonstrate suppressed leptin-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and impaired anorexigenic response to 2 factors in the central satiety pathway. This reduced anorexigenic function, together with normal or perhaps enhanced orexigenic function, contributes to the development of programmed obesity in IUGR rat offspring.
Insomnia is associated to depressive symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure

Introduction: Insomnia and depressive symptoms are common among patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Aim: The aim was to describe the prevalence of insomnia and depressive symptoms, as well as to examine the association between insomnia and depressive symptoms in patients with HF. Method: A crosssectional descriptive study including 212 patients with HF. All patients responded to questionnaires regarding sleeping difficulties (Uppsala Sleep Inventory-Chronic Heart Failure), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and depressive symptoms (The Mental Health Scale). Results: Patients with depressive symptoms (34%) had, compared to those without, significantly more major complaints of insomnia as indicated by the sub-types; non-restorative sleep (66% vs. 32%, p
[Serum organochlorines pesticides level of non-occupational exposure women and risk of breast cancer:a case-control study].

OBJECTIVE To describe exposure level of organochlorines pesticides residues in non-occupational exposure population in China and testify the hypothesis that organochlorine pesticides exposure may be the risk factor to human breast cancer. METHODS A case-control study based on community was designed. 90 new diagnostic breast cancer patients from the Second Hospital of Sichuan Province, and 136 health women from community, who settled down in the same district as case were enrolled. The risk factors of breast cancer were investigated by a questionnaire. GC-ECD was used to measure the serum level of Organochlorines pesticide residues. The adjusted odds rations (OR) of organochlorines pesticides residues to breast cancer were evaluated by logistic regression model. RESULTS 8 organochlorines pesticide residues including p, p'-DDT, p, p'-DDE, o, p'-DDT, p, p'-DDD and alpha, beta, gamma, delta-HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexane) could be detected in serum of cases and controls. The detecting rates of beta-HCH, p, p'-DDE and p, p'-DDT respectively were 91.2%, 92.1% and 91.2%. There were no significant differences of serum level of organochlorines pesticides residues between cases and controls (P > 0.05). After adjusting confounding factors, serum p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and delta-HCH level were positively related to the risk of breast cancer (adjusted OR > 2, P < 0.05) . High serum p,p'-DDT,p,p'-DDD and beta-HCH level were positively correlated to premenopausal women (adjusted ORs respectively were 3.59, 5.70 and 3.06, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Organochlorines pesticides resides, including DDTs and HCHs, may increase women's risk of breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal women in China.
Smoking and first acute myocardial infarction: age, mortality and smoking cessation rate.

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking is a major contributor to the risk of acute myocardial infarction and the subsequent morbidity and mortality. Physicians can play an important role in smoking cessation among patients with AMI because of their frequent contact with the patient during the event. OBJECTIVES To study the prevalence of smoking, age, localization of coronary occlusion, mortality and rate of smoking cessation in consecutive patients who were diagnosed with a first AMI in our center in 1989-93. METHODS The study included 1,510 consecutive patients with first AMI: 973 men (512 smokers, 52.6%) and 537 women (215 smokers, 40%), whose mean age was 64.1 +/- 6.7 and 68.6 +/- 5.2 years respectively. RESULTS The median age at the first AMI in non-smoking and smoking men differed significantly (70.4 +/- 6.8 vs. 56.6 +/- 6.1 years, P < 0.001) while the difference in the women was smaller (70.4 +/- 6.9 vs. 66.8 +/- 7.2). The proportion of smokers/non-smokers among men was greater at a younger age and decreased proportionally with age. The overall mortality was 11.3% with a significant difference in mortality rate in the younger age groups between smokers and non-smokers (1% vs. 0% in the age group 31-40 years, P < 0.05, and 6.1% vs. 0.8% in the 41-50 year age group, P < 0.001). Only 62% of the smokers who survived the AMI declared that they had received anti-smoking advice from a physician during hospitalization. The cessation rate in this group was significantly higher than in smokers who had not been cautioned against smoking (56% vs. 18%). CONCLUSIONS Current smokers sustained their first AMI more than one decade earlier than non-smokers, and the younger smokers had a higher mortality rate. The majority of the smokers who received anti-smoking advice during their hospitalization for AMI quit smoking in the year following the acute event.
Weight change and obesity after liver transplantation: incidence and risk factors.

Obesity is a concern in the long-term management of patients following liver transplantation, yet the risk of obesity and the factors that influence its development have not been well defined. We evaluated posttransplantation weight change among a cohort of 774 adults who had their height and weight recorded before liver transplantation at three major centers. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m2. Weight at transplantation was adjusted by the amount of ascites removed. Mean BMI increased from 24.8 kg/m2 pretransplantation to 27.0 kg/m2 in the first posttransplantation year, to 28.1 kg/m2 in the second year, and very little with subsequent observation. Among 320 patients who were not obese before transplantation, 21.6% became obese within 2 years after transplantation. On evaluation of numerous potential donor and pretransplantation risk factors, greater recipient BMI, greater donor BMI, and being married were found to be predictors of subsequent obesity (P < .05). Posttransplantation predictors of obesity included absence of acute cellular rejection, higher cumulative prednisone dose in the second year, and cyclosporine-based immunosuppression, although only rejection and prednisone dose remained predictors on multivariate analysis. Despite the marked weight gain after transplantation, prevalence of obesity at 2 years was only slightly greater than in the general US population. Obesity occurred commonly after liver transplantation, sometimes with a striking gain in weight. In addition to BMI at transplantation, donor BMI, marital status, occurrence of acute rejection, and prednisone dose affected the incidence of obesity.
Evidence for Human CD4+ T Cells in the CD1-Restricted Repertoire: Derivation of Mycobacteria-Reactive T Cells from Leprosy Lesions1

Both the CD4−CD8− (double negative) and CD4−CD8+ T cell lineages have been shown to contain T cells which recognize microbial lipid and glycolipid Ags in the context of human CD1 molecules. To determine whether T cells expressing the CD4 coreceptor could recognize Ag in the context of CD1, we derived CD4+ T cell lines from the lesions of leprosy patients. We identified three CD4+ Mycobacterium leprae-reactive, CD1-restricted T cell lines: two CD1b restricted and one CD1c restricted. These T cell lines recognize mycobacterial Ags, one of which has not been previously described for CD1-restricted T cells. The response of CD4+ CD1-restricted T cells, unlike MHC class II-restricted T cells, was not inhibited by anti-CD4 mAb, suggesting that the CD4 coreceptor does not impact positive or negative selection of CD1-restricted T cells. The CD4+ CD1-restricted T cell lines produced IFN-γ and GM-CSF, the Th1 pattern of cytokines required for cell-mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens, but no detectable IL-4. The existence of CD4+ CD1-restricted T cells that produce a Th1 cytokine pattern suggests a contributory role in immunity to mycobacterial infection.
Transitions to the Top

This study investigates the effects of job-level, task-based, segregation on racial differences in promotions to executive positions within the college football coaching profession. Using event-history methods to analyze the careers of 323 college football coaches, the results suggest that, relative to White coaches, Black coaches’ career prospects are harmed by their disproportionate placement into jobs that inhibit mobility (i.e., noncentral positions) and their differential returns from occupying jobs that induce mobility (i.e., central positions). These findings shed light on processes related to job-level racial segregation, particularism, and racialization in the coaching profession as well as more general, high-status, labor market contexts.
Demography of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in captive environments and its effect on population growth

Understanding which life‐history variables have the greatest influence on population growth rate has great ecological and conservation importance. Applying models of population regulation and demographic mechanisms can aid management and conservation of both wild and captive populations. By comparisons of sensitivity, elasticity, and life‐table response analyses, we identified demographic processes that were most likely to produce changes in population size (via prospective analyses) and the traits that actually influenced population changes (via retrospective analyses) among sexes, zoological facilities, and generations of captive squirrel monkey populations (Saimiri sciureus). Variation in life‐history traits occurs within each group analyzed. Those traits that vary the most include age at maturity, age at last reproduction, and fertility. Zoos with increasing population growth rates maintain earlier ages of maturity, later ages of last reproduction, high rates of juvenile and adult survival, and most importantly greater fertility, reflecting shorter inter‐birth intervals. Using prospective analyses, juvenile and adult survivals were predicted to be demographic traits with the greatest effect on population growth. Surprisingly, and despite predictions, retrospective analyses revealed that fertility was the life‐history characteristic trait that contributed the most to changes in population size. Am. J. Primatol. 73:1041–1050, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stationary Set Analysis for PD Controlled Mechanical Systems

This brief presents a comprehensive method to analyze the stationary set of the high-dimensional mechanical systems with proportional-derivative (PD) control. The system behavior is characterized by Filippov's differential inclusion, in which the discontinuous disturbance mainly caused by static friction is modeled by a convex set-valued map with respect to the velocity. The stationary set of the closed-loop system is obtained by calculating the static solution in the sense of Filippov. The stationary set is also proved to be asymptotically stable, while the asymptotic stability cannot be obtained for proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controlled systems. Finally, the experiments on a three-axis rotation table are carried out to illustrate our analysis results.
Rice Gruel and Rice Starch Reduce Sorbitol-Induced Diarrhoea in Cecectomized Rats

Background/Aims: Sorbitol (S), a widely used sugar substitute in sugar-free products, has shown intolerance manifested by abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea in children and adults. The nutritional and S-induced diarrhoea-preventive effect of rice gruel (RG) and rice starch (RS) was studied in cecectomized rats. Methods: During the 41-day experimental period, control, RG or RS, S, and S+RG or RS-containing diets were provided in four consecutive phases. The diet compositions were changed depending on the conditions of the diarrhoea. Faecal appearances of S- and S+RG/RS-fed groups were observed daily and scored (diarrhoea = 2, mixed fae ces = 1, normal faeces = 0) to evaluate the degree of diarrhoea. Results: The diarrhoeal scores were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in all phases of the RG- or RS-fed group compared to the control group (S). Serum lipid and colonic organic acid concentrations were decreased while faecal bile acids and neutral sterol concentrations were increased in the RG-fed group compared to the control which were measured in the samples collected from the last phase of the experiment. Conclusion: These results indicate that RG and RS may be useful additives in S-containing food products to prevent the possible risk of diarrhoea in humans.
Cytoplasmic Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Regulates the Metabolic Partitioning of Methylenetetrahydrofolate but Is Not Essential in Mice*

The hydroxymethyl group of serine is a primary source of tetrahydrofolate (THF)-activated one-carbon units that are required for the synthesis of purines and thymidylate and for S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent methylation reactions. Serine hydroxylmethyltransferase (SHMT) catalyzes the reversible and THF-dependent conversion of serine to glycine and 5,10-methylene-THF. SHMT is present in eukaryotic cells as mitochondrial SHMT and cytoplasmic (cSHMT) isozymes that are encoded by distinct genes. In this study, the essentiality of cSHMT-derived THF-activated one-carbons was investigated by gene disruption in the mouse germ line. Mice lacking cSHMT are viable and fertile, demonstrating that cSHMT is not an essential source of THF-activated one-carbon units. cSHMT-deficient mice exhibit altered hepatic AdoMet levels and uracil content in DNA, validating previous in vitro studies that indicated this enzyme regulates the partitioning of methylenetetrahydrofolate between the thymidylate and homocysteine remethylation pathways. This study suggests that mitochondrial SHMT-derived one-carbon units are essential for folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism in the cytoplasm.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance in SMEs: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) (defined through multi-stakeholder’s framework) and financial performance in the context of Rajasthan small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To achieve this objective, an exploratory study was conducted and data were collected using structured questionnaire based on pretested scale items from 384 SMEs and structural equation modelling (second order) was employed. The statistics shows the overall model fit, and the findings indicate a significant but a weak positive relationship between CSR and financial performance. The results are in conformance with previous research works (Weber, 2008). It is also evident from the findings that although SMEs are socially responsible towards their different stakeholders, CSR is not a part of their strategy; rather, it is more an informal and self-driven approach. For them, CSR is not meant for economic imperatives; rather, they associate it with religious spirit. Due to constraints that they face in terms of resource and personal that can be deployed for CSR activities, the notion of CSR among them is still philanthropic and non-institutionalized.