Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family-based case-control study of cigarette smoking and Parkinson disease

Objective: To determine whether people with Parkinson disease (PD) are less likely to report a history of cigarette smoking than their unaffected siblings. Background: Previous studies reported that individuals with PD are half as likely to have smoked as those unaffected by PD. Other studies reported that smoking modified the risk of PD due to polymorphisms in the MAO-B and nNOS genes. Thus, genetic studies of PD should consider confounding or interaction with smoking history as well. The authors have collected detailed smoking histories on a family-based case-control sample ascertained for genetic studies of PD. Methods: In a matched case-control study of 140 sibships, individuals with PD (n = 143) were compared to sibling controls (n = 168). Cigarette smoking history was collected by a structured telephone interview. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between smoking and PD while controlling for confounding by age and sex. Results: Ever smoking, current smoking, and increasing duration (in years), dose (in packs/day), and intensity (in pack-years) of smoking were significantly inversely associated with PD (p < 0.05). The association was not modified by sex, age at onset, or recency of exposure. Conclusions: Consistent with previous studies, individuals with Parkinson disease are significantly less likely to have smoked regularly than their unaffected siblings. This association was detected even though discordant sibling pairs are more likely to be overmatched for environmental exposures than unmatched case and control groups.
An exceptionally preserved armored dinosaur reveals the morphology and allometry of osteoderms and their horny epidermal coverings

Although the evolution and function of “exaggerated” bony projections in ornithischian dinosaurs has been subject to significant debate recently, our understanding of the structure and morphology of their epidermal keratinized coverings is greatly limited. The holotype of Borealopelta, a new nodosaurid ankylosaur, preserves osteoderms and extensive epidermal structures (dark organic residues), in anatomic position across the entire precaudal length. Contrasting previous specimens, organic epiosteodermal scales, often in the form of horn-like (keratinous) sheaths, cap and exaggerate nearly all osteoderms, allowing for morphometric and allometric analyses of both the bony osteoderms and their horny sheaths. A total of 172 osteoderms were quantified, with osteoderm spine length and height being positively allometric with respect to basal length and width. Despite tight correlations between the different measures amongst all other osteoderms, the large parascapular spines represent consistent outliers. Thickness and relative contribution of the keratinized epiosteodermal scales/sheaths varies greatly by region, ranging from 2% to 6% for posterior thoracics, to ∼25% (1.3×) for the parascapular spines—similar to horn sheaths in some bovid analogues. Relative to the bony cores, the horny portions of the spines are strongly positively allometric (slope = 2.3, CI = 1.8–2.8). Strong allometric scaling, species-specific morphology, and significant keratinous extension of the cervicoscapular spines is consistent with elaboration under socio-sexual selection. This marks the first allometric analysis of ornithischian soft tissues.
Past and future of biliary atresia.

BACKGROUND With the advent of liver transplantation the outcome of children with biliary atresia (BA) has improved. Is Kasai hepatic portoenterostomy (KHPE) still a valuable option for the treatment of these patients? METHODS From 1974 to 1998, 77 patients with biliary atresia have been treated at our institution: 50 girls and 27 boys. RESULTS Seventy-four patients had a KHPE, and 3 patients had no KHPE because of delay in diagnosis. A total of 65 of 74 patients (88%) had undergone KHPE type I, 4 patients (5.4%) KHPE type II, 3 patients (4%) had a Suruga modification, and 2 patients (2.6%) had a portocholecystostomy. Among the 74 patients, 11 were lost to follow-up and their cases were considered failures. Seventeen of our patients are alive at long-term follow-up after KHPE. Among the 77 patients, 33 (43%) had an orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Successful KHPE patients underwent transplant at a mean age of 9 years, and KHPE failed at a mean age of 11 months. A total of 25 of 77 (32%) of patients are alive thanks to OLT. In the cohort, the overall survival rate for the KHPE plus OLT is 42 of 77 (55%). Mortality and morbidity rates were more frequent among the younger patients who had early OLT after KHPE failure. In our series, overall survival rate was improved when the patient had a successful KHPE (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Kasai hepatic portoenterostomy (KHPE) continues to be a valuable procedure in the treatment of infants with biliary atresia (BA). Successful KHPE permits transplantation at an age at which mortality and morbidity are decreased leading to a better outcome.
Sunitinib-induced erythrocytosis : case report and review of literature

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are targeted molecular therapies widely used for different types of cancer. Their toxicity profile involves multiple organ systems, and the most common hematological toxicity is myelosuppression. Erythrocytosis is an uncommonly reported side effect of TKIs. We report here a case of erythrocytosis in response to the TKI Sunitinib in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma that resolved with the discontinuation of the medication. The patient remained disease free with normal hemoglobin after three years of follow up. While the mechanism of this side effect remains anecdotal, our case reflects some of the different suggested mechanisms to explain it, including both erythropoietin (EPO) dependent and independent pathways. Further research aimed to reveal these pathways could lead to a general better understanding of the mechanisms governing red cell production and also can be used to gauge and monitor response to treatment with TKIs.
Determinants of dividend policy: a study of the Indian banking sector

This study attempts to analyse the factors which influence the dividend policy of Indian banking firms. Using panel data pertaining to 121 Indian banks, two regression models have been proposed, one showing dividend payout ratio and the other showing dividend rate as a dependent variable. The study considers both bank specific internal variables as well as macroeconomic variables as explanatory variables influencing the dividend policy of Indian banks. The results of the determinants of dividend payout ratio of Indian banks show growth rate of real GDP affecting dividend payout ratio positively and significantly, and also show return on assets and total deposits to total assets ratio of Indian banks affecting their payout ratio negatively and significantly. The results of the determinants of dividend rate show no variable emerging as a significant determinant, indicating the fact that Indian banks consider dividend payout ratio to be a better measure of their dividend policy.
Iris indocyanine green angiography in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and capsular glaucoma.

PURPOSE The iris vasculature shows typical changes in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) revealed by iris fluorescein angiography (IFA), such as hypoperfusion, microneovascularisation, and anastomotic vessels. Iris indocyanine green angiography (IICGA) can visualize more precisely details of the iris vascular pattern, especially as regards hypoperfusion and capillary dilatations. The aim of the present study is to describe the angiographic features of PXS on IFA and IICGA, comparing eyes affected with those not affected by capsular glaucoma. METHODS In a prospective study 42 consecutive patients affected by PXS underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including IFA and IICGA. Thirty-two eyes were affected by capsular glaucoma. IICGA was performed using IMAGEnet System H1024. RESULTS IFA can easily detect the microneovascularisation, whereas IICGA allows a better recognition of iris hypoperfusion and anastomotic vessels, and it can reveal iris pigment epithelium defects. While the degree of hypoperfusion was similar in the two subgroups, eyes affected by capsular glaucoma more frequently showed signs of both microneovascularisation (marked stromal tufts and marked plexi), and of anastomotic vessels (peripheral loop, lesser circle and oblique vessels), with statistically significant difference. A clear correlation between hypoperfusion, microneovascularisation, and anastomotic vessels as regards site and extent was not noticed. CONCLUSIONS A different angiographic pattern can be detected in PXS eyes with capsular glaucoma in comparison with eyes without it. Further studies are needed to correlate angiographic features revealed by IFA and IICGA, with clinical features.
Estrous behavior, progesterone in peripheral plasma and milk in dairy goats at onset of breeding season.

Two large flocks of 60 and 120 French Alpine dairy does were studied beginning in late June. Estrous behavior was checked daily in the presence of bucks, and numerous blood and milk samples were collected. The end of the anestrus was characterized by consistent low progesterone around . 1 ng/ml in plasma and 2 to 4 ng/ml in milk. Cyclic activity was detected in early July in one flock and in early August in the other. Individual patterns of plasma and milk progesterone in cyclic females were correlated greater than . 5. Estrus was short (4 to 5 days) in 3 to 10 goats sampled daily following first estrus, and a small and transient rise of concentrations of progesterone was concomitant. Mean plasma and milk progesterone increased from about . 1 to . 5 and 2 to 4 ng/ml at the time of estrus to 6 to 8 in plasma and 6 to 10 ng/ml in milk 10 days later (midluteal phase). Twenty-one days after mating, concentrations in plasma and milk of pregnant animals were of the same magnitude as during the midluteal phase and higher than those in nonpregnant does (.1 to .7 and 2 to 3 ng/ml in plasma and milk).
Declining Business Dynamism: What We Know and the Way Forward†

A growing body of evidence indicates that the U.S. economy has become less dynamic in recent years. This trend is evident in declining rates of gross job and worker flows as well as declining rates of entrepreneurship and young firm activity, and the trend is pervasive across industries, regions, and firm size classes. We describe the evidence on these changes in the U.S. economy by reviewing existing research. We then describe new empirical facts about the relationship between establishment-level productivity and employment growth, framing our results in terms of canonical models of firm dynamics and suggesting empirically testable potential explanations.
Recovery, Growth, and Development of Acanthoparyphium tyosenense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Experimental Chicks

Chicks were experimentally infected with Acanthoparyphium tyosenense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) metacercariae per os, and the growth and development of worms in this host were observed from days 1 to 38 postinfection (PI). The worms grew rapidly and matured sexually in the small intestine (chiefly in the jejunum) of chicks by day 5 PI, and survived at least up to day 38 PI, although worm recovery decreased after day 5 PI. Both parenchymal and reproductive organs increased greatly in size from day 2 to day 10 PI and then continued to increase gradually in size up to day 38 PI. The number of uterine eggs reached a peak on days 10 and 15 PI and then decreased gradually. The results suggest that chicks are a fairly suitable definitive host for experimental infection with A. tyosenense.
Association of SARFH (sarcoma-associated RNA-binding fly homolog) with regions of chromatin transcribed by RNA polymerase II

Many oncogenes associated with human sarcomas are composed of a fusion between transcription factors and the N-terminal portions of two similar RNA-binding proteins, TLS and EWS. Though the oncogenic fusion proteins lack the RNA-binding domain and do not bind RNA, the contribution from the N-terminal portion of the RNA-binding protein is essential for their transforming activity. TLS and EWS associate in vivo with RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcripts. To learn more about the target gene specificity of this interaction, the localization of a Drosophila melanogaster protein that has extensive sequence identity to the C-terminal RNA-binding portions of TLS and EWS was studied in preparations of Drosophila polytene nuclei. cDNA clones encoding the full-length Drosophila TLS-EWS homolog, SARFH (stands for sarcoma-associated RNA-binding fly homolog), were isolated. Functional similarity to TLS and EWS was revealed by the association of SARFH with Pol II transcripts in mammalian cells and by the ability of SARFH to elicit homologous down-regulation of the levels of the mammalian proteins. The SARFH gene is expressed in the developing Drosophila embryo from the earliest stages of cellularization and is subsequently found in many cell types. In preparations of polytene chromosomes from salivary gland nuclei, SARFH antibodies recognize their target associated with the majority of active transcription units, revealed by colocalization with the phosphorylated form of RNA Pol II. We conclude that SARFH and, by homology, EWS and TLS participate in a function common to the expression of most genes transcribed by RNA Pol II.
Electret charging method based on soft X-ray photoionization for MEMS transducers

An electret charging method employing soft X-ray irradiation for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) electret transducers is investigated. Soft X-rays can penetrate obstructions/narrow gaps and ionize gas molecules inside air gaps. This allows embedded electrets even after fabrication processes and vertical electrets on the sidewalls of high-aspect-ratio structures to be charged. The charging properties of polymer electrets subjected to soft X-ray irradiation were systematically examined. The surface potential of embedded electrets increased linearly with increasing irradiation time. The potential could be precisely controlled by the applied bias voltage. The surface potential of vertical electrets after charging was uniform to a depth of 20-30 times the gap opening. Since the photoionization rate depends on the collision diameter of the gas molecules with X-rays, a high charging rate was realized by using Xe gas. In the present charging method, photoionization was found to play a dominant role in generating electrons from gas molecules. Experiments performed at different gas pressures revealed that the effects of photoelectric phenomena and carrier displacement could be neglected. The present charging method was found to have a charge stability as high as that of corona charging. These results indicate that the present charging method has the potential for designing various new MEMS electret transducers.
Selective Patterns of Expression of G Protein α Subunits During In Vitro Development of Hypothalamic Neurons

Abstract: Expression of different α subunits of G proteins was studied in hypothalamic primary cultures grown in defined medium and enriched in either neurons or glial (astrocyte) cells. In parallel, the cellular distribution of Gi, Gs, and GoA subunits was visualized by in situ hybridization. Immunoblots using specific antisera and hybridization of mRNAs with specific oligonucleotide probes allowed us to characterize Gs, Gi2, and GoA as major neuronal G proteins in the hypothalamus, whereas the glial cells expressed mostly Gs, Gi2, and GoB forms. Gi was found to be expressed very early and transiently in the culture, whereas expression of Gs and GoA increased regularly with time.
Impulsivity in anxiety disorders. A critical review.

BACKGROUND Anxiety symptoms and disorders are common. High comorbidity between anxiety and other psychiatric disorders has been observed in community. Still, the relationship between impulsivity and anxiety disorders is controversial and not well explored. MATERIAL AND METHODS The aim of this paper is to review measures of trait impulsivity in anxiety disorders. A literature review of the theoretical bases of the relationship between anxiety disorders and impulsivity is presented. RESULTS Impulsivity is a key feature of numerous psychiatric disorders. Traditional conceptualizations suggest that impulsivity might display a negative relationship with anxiety. However, an association of impulsivity in patients with anxiety disorders is present. Some studies support proposition that anxiety may influence impulsivity in individuals with predisposition toward behavioural disinhibition. CONCLUSION There is a link between anxiety and impulsivity in psychiatric patients characterized by problems with impulse control (e.g. pathological gambling, self-harming behaviour, eating disorders), mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Behavioural and pharmacological interventions for decreasing impulsivity may effectively be used in the treatment.
Differential diagnosis of cystic tumors of the pancreas by endoscopic ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Generally, cystic tumors are divided into two categories: neoplastic cystic tumors and non-neoplastic cystic (NNC) tumors. Neoplastic cystic tumors include mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and serous cystic neoplasm (SCN). MCNs and IPMNs have the potential to progress to a malignant state, whereas SCNs are known for their almost benign behavior. Thus, in order to make management decisions, it is important to distinguish between potentially malignant (MCN and IPMN), and benign (SCN and NNC) tumors. The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for the differential diagnosis of cystic tumors of the pancreas. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 76 patients with cystic tumors of the pancreas were preoperatively examined by EUS. Eight cases were MCNs, 45 were IPMNs, 13 were SCNs, and 10 were NNC tumors. The EUS findings relevant to distinguishing between potentially malignant and benign were analyzed statistically. RESULTS All patients with MCNs were female and all these tumors were located in the pancreatic body/tail. IPMN, however, occurred predominantly in men, and in the pancreatic head. Eight of 11 monolocular cystic tumors were NNC in nature. Eleven of 13 SCNs included microcystic areas within the tumors. All MCNs were round in appearance, whereas 93 % of IPMNs were not round in appearance. Mural nodules were present in 25 % of MCN and 38 % of IPMN cases. In univariate analysis, age, tumor size, locularity, the number of cystic formation, cystic component, and appearance were significant variables. In multivariate analysis, locularity and cystic component were important for differential diagnosis of potentially malignant cystic tumors. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of cystic tumors of the pancreas revealed by EUS are useful for their differential diagnosis.
Link‐layer security in TSCH networks: effect on slot duration

The IEEE802.15. 4e‐2012 standard is widely used in multi‐hop wireless industrial Internet of things applications. In the time‐slotted channel hopping mode, nodes are synchronised, and time is cut into timeslots. A schedule orchestrates all communications, resulting in high reliability and low power operations. A timeslot must be long enough for a node to send a data frame to its neighbour, and for that neighbour to send back an acknowledgement. Shorter timeslots enable higher bandwidth and lower latency, yet the minimal timeslot duration is limited by how long link‐layer security operations take. We evaluate the overhead of link‐layer security in time‐slotted channel hopping networks in terms of minimal timeslot length, memory footprint and energy consumption. We implement full link‐layer security on a range of hardware platforms, exploring different hardware/software implementation strategies. Through an extensive measurement campaign, we quantify the advantage of hardware accelerations for link‐layer security and show how the minimal duration of a timeslot varies between 9 and 88ms for the most common configuration, depending on hardware support. Furthermore, we also highlighted the impact that the timeslot duration has on both high‐level application design and energy consumption. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical and Functional Interaction Between Calcineurin and the Cardiac L-Type Ca2+ Channel

The L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) is the major mediator of Ca2+ influx in cardiomyocytes, leading to both mechanical contraction and activation of signaling cascades. Among these Ca2+-activated cascades is calcineurin, a protein phosphatase that promotes hypertrophic growth of the heart. Coimmunoprecipitations from heart extracts and pulldowns using heterologously expressed proteins provided evidence for direct binding of calcineurin at both the N and C termini of α11. 2. At the C terminus, calcineurin bound specifically at amino acids 1943 to 1971, adjacent to a well-characterized protein kinase (PK)A/PKC/PKG phospho-acceptor site Ser1928. In vitro assays demonstrated that calcineurin can dephosphorylate α11. 2. Channel function was increased in voltage-clamp recordings of ICa,L from cultured cardiomyocytes expressing constitutively active calcineurin, consistent with previous observations in cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. Conversely, acute suppression of calcineurin pharmacologically or with specific peptides decreased ICa,L. These data reveal direct physical interaction between the LTCC and calcineurin in heart. Furthermore, they demonstrate that calcineurin induces robust increases in ICa,L and highlight calcineurin as a key modulator of pathological electrical remodeling in cardiac hypertrophy.
Bounded Rationality and Economic Diplomacy: References

Modern investment treaties give private arbitrators power to determine whether governments should pay compensation to foreign investors for a wide range of sovereign acts. In recent years, particularly developing countries have incurred significant liabilities from investment treaty arbitration, which begs the question why they signed the treaties in the first place. Through a comprehensive and timely analysis, this book shows that governments in developing countries typically overestimated the economic benefits of investment treaties and practically ignored their risks. Rooted in insights on bounded rationality from behavioural psychology and economics, the analysis highlights how policy-makers often relied on inferential shortcuts when assessing the implications of the treaties, which resulted in systematic deviations from fully rational behaviour. This not only sheds new light on one of the most controversial legal regimes underwriting economic globalization but also provides a novel theoretical account of the often irrational, yet predictable, nature of economic diplomacy.