Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic control of the environmental variance for birth weight in seven generations of a divergent selection experiment in mice.

Data from seven generations of a divergent selection experiment designed for environmental variability of birth weight were analysed to estimate genetic parameters and to explore signs of selection response. A total of 10 783 birth weight records from 638 females and 1127 litters in combination with 10 007 pedigree records were used. Each record of birth weight was assigned to the mother of the pup in a heteroscedastic model, and after seven generations of selection, evidence of success in the selection process was shown. A Bayesian analysis showed that success of the selection process started from the first generation for birth weight and from the second generation for its environmental variability. Genetic parameters were estimated across generations. However, only from the third generation onwards were the records useful to consider the results to be reliable. The results showed a consistent positive and low genetic correlation between the birth weight trait and its environmental variability, which could allow an independent selection process. This study has demonstrated that the genetic control of the birth weight environmental variability is possible in mice. Nevertheless, before the results are applied directly in farm animals, it would be worth confirming any other implications on other important traits, such as robustness, longevity and welfare.
Reliability of the pattern hair loss classifications: A comparison of the basic and specific and Norwood–Hamilton classifications

Pattern hair loss (PHL) is the most common form of baldness in both sexes. The Norwood–Hamilton classification is the most commonly used classification worldwide, but it has many limitations. The basic and specific (BASP) classification was introduced as an improvement over the Norwood–Hamilton classification. Previous research was done to estimate the reliability of the Norwood–Hamilton classification and the result was unsatisfactory. However, the reliability of the BASP and Norwood–Hamilton classifications has not yet been compared. Eight dermatological specialists, 17 dermatological residents and 15 general physicians classified PHL in 100 sets of photographs using both the BASP and Norwood–Hamilton classifications. Intergroup reproducibility was evaluated by examining the match rate of the individual data in each group and the match rate between hair specialist and the other examiners. Intragroup repeatability was determined by calculating the match rate between the first and second studies. In terms of intergroup reproducibility of the match rate for individual data in each group, the basic type had the best agreement, the specific type had the second best, and the Norwood–Hamilton classification had the lowest match rate. In comparison, hair specialist and intragroup repeatability showed the same patterns. The BASP classification not only distinguishes all kinds of hair loss patterns, but also has better reproducibility and repeatability than the Norwood–Hamilton classification.
What Interactions between Financial Globalization and Instability?-Growth in Developing Countries

This paper tests the effects of the impact of financial globalization on economic growth, examining its interaction with financial instability for a sample of 72 developing countries over the period 1972–2011, using dynamic panel estimator ‘two‐step Generalized Method of Moments’ (two‐step system GMM). The main results of the paper are the following: (i) financial instability and indebtedness‐globalization decrease growth; (ii) financial globalization and investment‐globalization increase growth; (iii) indebtedness‐globalization increases the effect of financial instability on growth; (iv) investment‐globalization decreases the effect of financial instability on growth; and (vi) financial globalization decreases the effect of financial instability on growth. These results are robust in a set of tests consisting of the insertion of alternative variables of financial instability, the inclusion of new control variables, inter alia an indicator of banking crises, using different time periods, and changing of the composition of the sample. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct Cytosolic Delivery of Polar Cargo to Cells by Spontaneous Membrane-translocating Peptides*

Background: Spontaneous membrane-translocating peptides were discovered by screening in synthetic lipid vesicles. Results: The translocating peptides carry membrane-impermeant cargos directly across cell membranes and drive systemic biodistribution in small animals. Conclusion: These peptides constitute a new class of delivery vehicle for membrane-impermeant cargos. Significance: Spontaneous membrane-translocating peptides could expand the universe of useful drugs. Direct cellular entry of potentially useful polar compounds into cells is prevented by the hydrophobic barrier of the membrane. Toward circumventing this barrier, we used high throughput screening to identify a family of peptides that carry membrane-impermeant cargos across synthetic membranes. Here we characterize the plasma membrane translocation of these peptides with polar cargos under a variety of conditions. The spontaneous membrane-translocating peptides (SMTPs) delivered the zwitterionic, membrane-impermeant dye tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) into cells even when the conditions were not permissive for endocytosis. They also delivered the larger, anionic membrane-impermeant dye Alexa Fluor 546 but did not deliver a quantum dot nanoparticle. Under all conditions, the SMTP-cargo filled the cytoplasm with a diffuse, non-punctate fluorescence that was partially excluded from the nucleus. d-Amino acid peptides behaved identically in vitro, ruling out proteolysis as an important factor in the diffuse cellular distribution. Thus, cytosolic delivery of SMTP-cargo conjugates is dominated by direct membrane translocation. This is in sharp contrast to Arg9-TAMRA, a representative highly cationic, cell-penetrating peptide, which entered cells only when endocytosis was permitted. Arg9-TAMRA triggered large scale endocytosis and did not appreciably escape the endosomal compartments in the 1-h timescales we studied. When injected into mice, SMTP-TAMRA conjugates were found in many tissues even after 2 h. Unconjugated TAMRA was rapidly cleared and did not become systemically distributed. SMTPs are a platform that could improve delivery of many polar compounds to cells, in the laboratory or in the clinic, including those that would otherwise be rejected as drugs because they are membrane-impermeant.
A novel cis‐AB allele derived from a unique 796C>A mutation in exon 7 of ABO gene

BACKGROUND: The cis‐AB phenotype is very rare, and only three genotypes that correspond to specific ABO allele changes have been reported. Cis‐AB01 involves the A102 allele with a nonsynonymous substitution G803C in exon 7, whereas cis‐AB02 and cis‐AB03 involve different nonsynonymous substitutions A796C and C700T, respectively, on the B101 allele background. The nucleotide substitutions give rise to a change of the respective glycosyltransferase, resulting in varying bifunctional AB transferase activities.
Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey replication.

CONTEXT There is growing recognition that bipolar disorder (BPD) has a spectrum of expression that is substantially more common than the 1% BP-I prevalence traditionally found in population surveys. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence, correlates, and treatment patterns of bipolar spectrum disorder in the US population. DESIGN Direct interviews. SETTING Households in the continental United States. PARTICIPANTS A nationally representative sample of 9282 English-speaking adults (aged >or=18 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Version 3.0 of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview, a fully structured lay-administered diagnostic interview, was used to assess DSM-IV lifetime and 12-month Axis I disorders. Subthreshold BPD was defined as recurrent hypomania without a major depressive episode or with fewer symptoms than required for threshold hypomania. Indicators of clinical severity included age at onset, chronicity, symptom severity, role impairment, comorbidity, and treatment. RESULTS Lifetime (and 12-month) prevalence estimates are 1.0% (0.6%) for BP-I, 1.1% (0.8%) for BP-II, and 2.4% (1.4%) for subthreshold BPD. Most respondents with threshold and subthreshold BPD had lifetime comorbidity with other Axis I disorders, particularly anxiety disorders. Clinical severity and role impairment are greater for threshold than for subthreshold BPD and for BP-II than for BP-I episodes of major depression, but subthreshold cases still have moderate to severe clinical severity and role impairment. Although most people with BPD receive lifetime professional treatment for emotional problems, use of antimanic medication is uncommon, especially in general medical settings. CONCLUSIONS This study presents the first prevalence estimates of the BPD spectrum in a probability sample of the United States. Subthreshold BPD is common, clinically significant, and underdetected in treatment settings. Inappropriate treatment of BPD is a serious problem in the US population. Explicit criteria are needed to define subthreshold BPD for future clinical and research purposes.
Effects of Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on the Risk of Total Cardiovascular Events in Japanese Patients with Hypercholesterolemia: Implications from the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial (J-LIT)

Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM) are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We analyzed the cardiovascular events in hyperlipidemic patients with or without DM who were administered open-labeled simvastatin in groups stratified by blood pressure level using data from the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial (J-LIT). Hyperlipidemic patients with DM (n=6,288) had significantly more cardiovascular events than those without DM (n=33,933). The incidence rates of total cardiovascular events in the Non-DM and DM groups were 15.40 and 25.76 per 1,000 patients for the 6-year period, respectively. The relative risk of total cardiovascular events in the DM vs. the Non-DM group was 1.68, and the relative risk was significantly higher in the DM than in the Non-DM group. The relative risks of total cardiovascular events were significantly higher in DM and Non-DM patients whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was greater than or equal to 130 mmHg compared to that of Non-DM patients whose SBP was less than 130 mmHg, and in DM and Non-DM patients whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was greater than or equal to 80 mmHg compared to that of Non-DM patients whose DBP was less than 80 mmHg. In all groups stratified by SBP and DBP, relative risks of total cardiovascular events were higher in DM patients than in Non-DM patients. For patients with hypercholesterolemia and DM, blood pressure should be strictly controlled in order to prevent both coronary events and stroke. These results are in good agreement with the JNC 7 and the ESH/ESC guidelines for DM patients, which recommended that the SBP and DBP be less than 130 and 80 mmHg, respectively.
Renal osteodystrophy in the first decade of the new millennium: Analysis of 630 bone biopsies in black and white patients

Renal osteodystrophy occurs early during loss of kidney function. There are 26 million American patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and almost all patients with CKD stage 5 have abnormal bone histology. Six hundred and thirty bone biopsies from adult CKD‐5 patients on dialysis were evaluated by histomorphometry and analyzed using the turnover (T), mineralization (M), and volume (V) classification. There were racial differences; whites exhibited predominantly low turnover (62%), whereas blacks showed mostly normal or high turnover (68%). A mineralization defect was observed in only 3% of patients. In whites, cancellous bone volume was low, normal, or high in approximately the same number of patients, whereas in blacks, cancellous bone volume was high in two‐thirds of the patients. More than 80% of blacks and whites with low cancellous bone volume had thin trabeculae owing to low bone formation. Cortical thickness was low in half the whites, whereas it was normal in three‐quarters of blacks. Cortical porosity was high in 50% of whites, whereas three‐quarters of blacks had high porosity. In summary, the TMV system gives relevant information. It should be expanded to include the architecture of cancellous and cortical bone. There are racial differences. Low bone volume and low bone turnover are more frequent than heretofore appreciated, whereas mineralization defects nowadays are observed rarely in adults. These findings call for an adjustment of the current therapeutic paradigm that takes into consideration race and risk of low bone volume and turnover. The latter have been shown to be associated with increased vascular calcifications. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Are most species small? Not within species–level phylogenies

The robust macro–ecological observation that there are more small–bodied species implies that smallbodied organisms have experienced elevated net rates of diversification. We investigate the role of body size in creating non–random differences in rates of cladogenesis using a set of 38 species–level phylogenies drawn from a range of animal groups. We use independent contrasts to explore the relationship between body size and species richness within individual phylogenies and across related sets of phylogenies. We also carry out a meta–analysis looking for associations between body size and species richness across the taxa. We find little evidence for increased cladogenesis among small–bodied organisms within taxa, and no evidence for any consistent differences between taxa. We explore possible explanations for the inconsistency of our findings with macro–ecological patterns.
Splitting of the middle hepatic vein in full‐right full‐left splitting of the liver

Full‐right/full‐left splitting of the liver offers a chance to overcome the severe shortage of donor organs. During this procedure, the splitting surgeons are always faced with the question of how to share the middle hepatic vein (MHV), since this vein drains parts of both halves of the liver. Consequently, we developed a procedure that splits the MHV, thus creating an MHV on both grafts. In this short article, we report on this splitting technique and our first initial experience. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:350–352.)
Diversity and recombination of human parechovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China

Human parechovirus (HPeV), a member of Picornaviridae family, is a widespread pathogen causing a wide spectrum of diseases. Like other picornaviruses, HPeV genome recombination has been detected. A total of 322 fecal samples were collected from children outpatients in Guangzhou, China, including 42 (13.0%, 42/322) HPeV‐positive samples detected in most of the infected children less than two years old. Seven HPeV genotypes (HPeV1, HPeV3, HPeV4, HPeV5, HPeV6, HPeV8 and HPeV14) were detected, among which, HPeV14, a rare genotype, was reported for the first time in children with acute gastroenteritis in China. This study revealed recombination events in eight samples. Clinical profiles did not yield statistical significance between children with HPeV infection alone and cases without pathogens detected. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that HPeV circulated in Guangzhou, China is diverse genetically, which provided evidence of recombination in HPeV in China. J. Med. Virol. 87:296–302, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Balance between Angiopoietin-1 and Angiopoietin-2 Is in Favor of Angiopoietin-2 in Atherosclerotic Plaques with High Microvessel Density

Introduction: Atherosclerotic plaque microvessels are associated with plaque hemorrhage and rupture. The mechanisms underlying plaque angiogenesis are largely unknown. Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and -2 are ligands of the endothelial receptor Tie-2. Ang-1 induces formation of stable vessels, whereas Ang-2 destabilizes the interaction between endothelial cells and their support cells. We studied the expression patterns of Ang-1 and -2 in relation to plaque microvessels. Methods and Results: Carotid endarterectomy specimens were studied (n = 100). Microvessel density (MVD) was correlated with the presence of macrophages and with a (fibro)atheromatous plaque phenotype. A negative correlation was observed between Ang-1 expression and MVD. A positive correlation was observed between the ratio of Ang-2/Ang-1 and MVD. Ang-2 expression was correlated with matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity. Immunohistochemical staining of Ang-1 was observed in smooth muscle cells, whereas Ang-2 was detected in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Conclusions: In plaques with high MVD, the local balance between Ang-1 and Ang-2 is in favor of Ang-2. Plaque Ang-2 levels are associated with MMP-2 activity. Ang-2-induced MMP-2 activity might play a role in the development of (unstable) plaque microvessels.
Helicobacter pylori vacA, iceA, and cagA status and pattern of gastritis in patients with malignant and benign gastroduodenal disease

OBJECTIVE:Both bacterial virulence factors and the pattern of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis may contribute to the development of clinically relevant gastroduodenal disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of H. pylori vacA alleles, iceA, and cagA, and the pattern of gastritis in patients with gastric cancer (GC), gastric lymphoma (MALT), duodenal ulcer (DU), and functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS:H. pylori was cultured from 141 patients (34 GC, 26 MALT, 49 DU, 32 FD). Allelic variants of vacA and iceA, and cagA were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Antrum and corpus biopsies were obtained for assessment of gastritis according to the updated Sydney System.RESULTS:The vacA s1,m1 genotype was more frequently detected in H. pylori from GC patients (70.6%) than from MALT, DU, and FD patients (p < 0.05). The frequency of iceA1 and cagA did not differ among the groups. The proportion of patients with severe gastritis in the corpus was significantly higher in patients with GC and MALT compared with patients with DU (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:In a German patient population, only the vacA s1,m1 genotype of H. pylori is associated with GC, and therefore may be useful to identify infected patients being at an increased risk for GC.
Dyspepsia prevalence in general population aged over 20 in the west part of Iran.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of dyspepsia in the general population aged over 20 in western Iran. METHODS The cross-sectional study was conducted among the randomly selected general population over the age of 20 years in Sanandaj city. Iran, from April to December 2009. A questionnaire containing demographic, symptoms and history variables was used. Dependent variables were self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence of dyspepsia in different groups was analysed using chi square test, while logistic regression analysis was done to determine dyspepsia, ulcer-like, dysmotility-like and reflux-like prevalence after controlling the confounders. RESULTS Among 590 respondents, the prevalence of dyspepsia was 54.6% (n = 322). Among them were 243 (41.2%) cases of uninvestigated dyspepsia. According to dyspepsia classification, the prevalence of ulcer-like, dysmotility-like, reflux-like and non-specific dyspepsia were 31.5% (n = 186), 11% (n = 65), 27.3% (n = 161) and 12.4% (n = 74), respectively. Difference in dyspepsia prevalence between men and women persisted after adjustment for other factors (p =0.01) and dyspepsia prevalence was higher in over-60-years old group than the middle aged group (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONn: The study showed high prevalence of dyspepsia in the general population. Gender, age, family history and theophylline consumption affect the prevalence of dyspepsia.
Opinions of South Carolina dental students toward tobacco use interventions.

OBJECTIVES Tobacco use accounts for 75 percent of oral cancer deaths in the United States. One objective of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the percentage of dentists who provide smoking cessation counseling. However, studies of dentists have shown that the majority feel inadequately prepared to do so. The objective of this study was to determine the opinions of dental students at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) regarding the provision of tobacco use interventions for patients. METHODS In 2002, 163 students were administered a written questionnaire which included questions about tobacco use interventions (response rate=80 percent). Opinion items were analyzed using factor analysis, Fisher's Exact Test, and ANOVA (a < or = 0.025). RESULTS While 89 percent of students agreed that dentists should be trained to provide tobacco cessation education, only 39 percent thought that they themselves were adequately trained. Students' opinions toward the role and training of dentists in providing tobacco use interventions differed by academic year. Only 14.1 percent of dental students were quite or very confident in their ability to help patients to stop smoking. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that although MUSC dental students support tobacco cessation training for dentists, the majority responded that they are not adequately trained and are not comfortable providing tobacco cessation education to patients. A comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program is indicated for the objective of Healthy People 2010 to be met.
Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of synthetic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bone graft (Ostim®) and synthetic microcrystalline hydroxyapatite bone graft (Osteogen®) in the treatment of human periodontal intrabony defects: A clinical and denta scan study

Background: To evaluate the relative efficacy of synthetic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) (Ostim®) and microcrystalline HA (Osteogen®) bone grafts in the treatment of human periodontal intrabony defects clinically and radiographically through denta scan. Materials and Methods: Ten chronic periodontitis patients with bilateral intrabony periodontal defects of ≥2 mm radiographic defect depth below 55 years of age were selected randomly and treated with synthetic nanocrystalline HA (Ostim®) or synthetic microcrystalline HA (Osteogen®) bone graft. Clinical parameters including probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months for each of the defects using an occlusal acrylic stent. Radiographic parameters were measured with the help of denta scan preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months. Results: At 6 months following therapy, the Osteogen® group showed a reduction in mean PD from 11.10 ± 1.663 to 8.50 ± 0.850 mm and a change in mean CAL from 6.30 ± 1.160 to 3.40 ± 0.516 mm, whereas in the Ostim® group, the mean PD decreased from 11.20 ± 0.919 to 8.30 ± 0.823 mm and mean CAL decreased from 6.10 ± 0.738 to 3.30 ± 0.483 mm. At 6 months following therapy, denta scan showed a reduction in mean intrabony defect depth in the Osteogen® group from 2.54 ± 0.786 to 1.01 ± 0.448 mm, whereas in the Ostim® group, it was 2.71 ± 0.650 mm to 1.12 ± 0.563 mm. Conclusion: It was concluded that both the HA bone grafts produced statistically significant reduction in pocket depth, in the depth of osseous lesion, and a statistically significant gain in attachment level, irrespective of their physico-chemical properties.