Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Melanocytic Protein Melan‐A/MART‐1 Has a Subcellular Localization Distinct from Typical Melanosomal Proteins

To delineate the role of the melanocyte lineage‐specific protein Melan‐A/MART‐1 in melanogenic functions, a set of biochemical and microscopical studies was performed. Biochemical analysis revealed that Melan‐A/MART‐1 is post‐translationally acylated and undergoes a rapid turnover in a pigmented melanoma cell line. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy analyses indicated that Melan‐A/MART‐1 is mainly located in the Golgi area and only partially colocalizes with melanosomal proteins. Quantitative immunoelectron microscopy showed that the highest proportion of the cellular content of Melan‐A/MART‐1 was found in small vesicles and tubules throughout the cell, whereas the concentration was maximal in the Golgi region, particularly the trans‐Golgi network. Substantial labeling was also present on melanosomes, endosomes, ER, nuclear envelope, and plasma membrane. In early endosomes, Melan‐A was enriched in areas of the limiting membrane covered by a bi‐layered coat, a structural characteristic of melanosomal precursor compartments. Upon melanosome maturation, Melan‐A concentration decreased and its predominant localization shifted from the limiting membrane to internal vesicle membranes. In conjunction with its acylation, the high expression levels of Melan‐A in the trans‐Golgi network, in dispersed vesicles, and on the limiting membrane of premelanosomes indicate that the protein may play a role during the early stage of melanosome biogenesis.
Coeliac disease and risk of renal disease-a general population cohort study.

BACKGROUND Coeliac disease (CD) may be a risk factor for renal disease. METHODS We investigated the risk of any form of glomerulonephritis (GN) (acute, chronic and non-specified), chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and renal replacement therapy including dialysis treatment and kidney transplantation (KT) in patients with CD in a general population-based cohort study. We used Cox regression to assess the risk of renal disease in 14,336 patients who had received a diagnosis of CD (1964-2003) and 69,875 reference individuals matched for age, calendar year, sex and county. Patients were identified using the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry. Follow-up began 1 year after study entry. RESULTS CD was associated with an increased risk of any form of GN (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.01-2.66; P = 0.046; 89 events), CGN (HR = 2.65; 95% CI = 1.34-5.24; P = 0.005; 39 events), dialysis (HR = 3.48; 95% CI = 2.26-5.37; P < 0.001; 102 positive events) and KT (HR = 3.15; 95% CI = 1.29-7.71; P = 0.012; 22 events). CONCLUSION We suggest that immune characteristics associated with CD increase the risk of chronic renal disease. Individuals with CD may also be at a moderately increased risk of any form of GN.
Antibodies to Lytic Infection Proteins in Lymphocryptovirus-Infected Rhesus Macaques: a Model for Humoral Immune Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Humoral immune responses to rhesus lymphocryptovirus (rhLCV) lytic infection proteins were evaluated in the rhesus macaque animal model for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. We found a hierarchy of humoral responses to 14 rhLCV lytic infection proteins in naturally infected rhesus macaques, with (i) widespread and robust responses to four glycoproteins expressed as late proteins, (ii) frequent but less robust responses to a subset of early proteins, and (iii) low-level responses to immediate-early proteins. This hierarchy of humoral responses was similar to that reported for EBV-infected humans, with the notable exception of the response to rhBARF1. Serum antibodies to rhBARF1 were frequently detected in healthy rhLCV-infected macaques, but in humans, anti-BARF1 antibodies have been reported primarily in patients with EBV-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The macaque data accurately predicted that serum antibodies against BARF1 are a normal response to EBV infection when human serum samples are analyzed. The rhesus macaque animal provides a unique perspective on humoral responses to EBV infection in humans and can be a valuable model for EBV vaccine development.
Hepatotoxic Effects of the Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids1

A number of hepatic lesions have been attributed to the use of androgeniclanabolic steroids (AS). Although the incidence of each adverse effect is not known, they all occur infrequently. The hepatologic effects have followed use of the AS for a variety of diseases and conditions, but particularly for the treatment of Fan-coni's and aplastic anemias. Hepatic complications have also been reported in previously healthy persons, such as female transsexuals and impotent as well as athletes, particularly weight lifters, body builders of both sexes, football players, shot-putters, and discus throw-ers. Misuse and abuse of AS by athletes has reached alarming proportions; the causes, remedies, and side effects have been discussed by a number of investiga-t o r ~ . ~ ~ In a survey of weight lifters, the seven most commonly used drugs were stanozolol (Winstrol), bol-denone undecylenate (Equipoise), oxymetholone (An-adrol), methandrostenolone (Dianabol), oxandrolone (Anavar) , nandrolone decanoate (Deca-Durabolin) , and testosterone cypionate (Depo-Te~tadiol). ~ The majority of the athletes had obtained their drugs illegally, but 20% claimed to have received them by pre~cription. ~ Many of the AS just mentioned have been incriminated in various adverse hepatic reactions. The adverse effects may develop after short-term (such as intrahepatic cholestasis) or long-term use of these agents (such as peliosis hepatis or the induction of benign and malignant tumors). They resemble those of the contraceptive steroids (CS), but some of the lesions caused by the CS, such
Estimation of Rural Households’ Willingness to Accept Two PES Programs and Their Service Valuation in the Miyun Reservoir Catchment, China

As the only surface water source for Beijing, the Miyun Reservoir and its catchment (MRC) are a focus for concern about the degradation of ecosystem services (ES) unless appropriate payments for ecosystem services (PES) are in place. This study used the contingent valuation method (CVM) to estimate the costs of two new PES programs, for agriculture and forestry, and to further calculate the economic value of ES in the MRC from the perspective of local rural households’ willingness to accept (WTA). The results of Logit model including WTA and the variables of household and village indicate that the local socio-economic context has complex effects on the WTA of rural households. In particular, the bid amount, location and proportion of off-farm employment would have significant positive effects on the local WTA. In contrast, the insignificance of the PES participation variable suggests that previous PES program experiences may negatively impact subsequent program participation. The mean WTA payments for agriculture and forestry PES programs were estimated as 8531 and 8187 yuan/ha/year, respectively. These results consistently explain the differentiated opportunity costs on both farmland and forestry land. Meanwhile, the differentiated WTA values in Beijing vs. the surrounding Hebei Province follow the interest differences and development gaps between jurisdictions. Finally, the total economic value of ES in the MRC area was estimated at 11.1 billion yuan/year). The rational economic value of ES for the restoration priority areas reaches 515.2 million yuan/year. For the existing budget gap (299 million yuan/year), the study proposed that decision makers increase the water tariff by 0.08 yuan to raise the funds needed. The study also concluded that these results are not only financially and politically feasible but also cost-effective. This study has policy implications for improving the implementation efficiency and providing quantified supports for PES programs in megacity source water area.
TECHNICAL AND SCALE EFFICIENCIES OF U.S. GRASS-FED BEEF PRODUCTION: WHOLE-FARM AND ENTERPRISE ANALYSES

Abstract A stochastic production frontier approach was used to estimate input distance functions for U.S. grass-fed beef (GFB) production. Average technical efficiencies of 0.84 and 0.79 were found for U.S. GFB whole farms and enterprises, respectively. Producer education level, experience, farm size, annual net farm income from the GFB operation, annual net household income from off-farm sources, and regional differences are the efficiency drivers of U.S. GFB farms. Increasing returns to scale were found for U.S. GFB farms. Our results suggest that U.S. GFB farms can be scale efficient if the optimal size of the operation is greater than approximately 100 GFB animals.
Ridge preservation using a composite bone graft and a bioabsorbable membrane with and without primary wound closure: a comparative clinical trial.

BACKGROUND The aim of this single-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial is to compare hard and soft tissue changes after ridge preservation performed with (control, RPc) and without (test, RPe) primary soft tissue closure in a split-mouth design. METHODS Eleven patients completed this 6-month trial. Extraction and ridge preservation were performed using a composite bone graft of inorganic bovine-derived hydroxyapatite matrix and cell binding peptide P-15 (ABM/P-15), demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft, and a copolymer bioabsorbable membrane. Primary wound closure was achieved on the control sites (RPc), whereas test sites (RPe) left the membrane exposed. Pocket probing depth on adjacent teeth, repositioning of the mucogingival junction, bone width, bone fill, and postoperative discomfort were assessed. Bone cores were obtained for histological examination. RESULTS Intragroup analyses for both groups demonstrated statistically significant mean reductions in probing depth (RPc: 0.42 mm, P = 0.012; RPe: 0.25 mm, P = 0.012) and bone width (RPc: 3 mm, P = 0.002; RPe: 3.42 mm, P <0.001). However, intergroup analysis did not find these parameters to be statistically different at 6 months. The test group showed statistically significant mean change in bone fill (7.21 mm; P <0.001). Compared to the control group, the test group showed statistically significant lower mean postoperative discomfort (RPc 4 versus RPe 2; P = 0.002). Histomorphometric analysis showed presence of 0% to 40% of ABM/P-15 and 5% to 20% of new bone formation in both groups. Comparison of clinical variables between the two groups at 6 months revealed that the mucogingival junction was statistically significantly more coronally displaced in the control group than in the test group, with a mean of 3.83 mm versus 1.21 mm (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Ridge preservation without flap advancement preserves more keratinized tissue and has less postoperative discomfort and swelling. Although ridge preservation is performed with either method, ≈27% to 30% of bone width is lost.
The 30 nm chromatin fiber as a flexible polymer.

Our analysis of the data of van den Engh, Sachs, and Trask (Science 257, 1410 (1992)), for the dependence of the mean square distance between pairs of hybridization sites (< L2n >, micron 2) on the known genomic distance (n, bp) separating these sites on chromosome number 4 in G1 human fibroblast nuclei, shows that < L2n > is proportional to n2v with v = 3/5 for n < 1 Mbp. The v-value of 3/5 is characteristic of flexible polymer chains with excluded volume effects in dilute good solutions. Since the DNA concentration in nuclei is very high (ca. 1-10 mg/ml), and theory (Flory, J. Chem. Phys. 17, 303, 1949) predicts v = 1/2 for overlapping polymers, the finding of v = 3/5 means that the chromatin fibers do not overlap in interphase nuclei. The dependence of < L2n > on n for n < 4 Mbp is consistent with the model of large (approximately 6 Mbp, 3 microns diameter) loops of interphase chromatin attached to nuclear membrane sites. Using the constant (e.g., Widom, Ann. Rev. Biophys. Biophys. Chem. 18, 365 (1989)) and variable (Williams & Langmore, Biophys. J. 59, 606 (1991)) diameter fiber models, the Kuhn statistical segment of the 30 nm chromatin fiber was estimated to have a length of 196-272 nm with a corresponding DNA content of 21-37 kbp. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Off the Beaten Track? Selectivity, Discretion and Path-Shaping in Swedish Public Housing

ABSTRACT By its universal approach, Swedish public housing has traditionally been an instrument to contribute to the national policy aim of “good housing for all”. However, the universal approach is under pressure. Demands on competitiveness and a businesslike return on investment means public housing companies are increasingly striving for profit in their everyday business. This paper analyses this development with the strategic-relational approach (SRA) and argues that a new economic imaginary has emerged, which limits the companies’ perceived possibilities to retain the universal approach. However, spatio-temporal variations are evident and the findings give evidence to ample actorial discretion for companies to negotiate the economic imaginary in the current political-economic landscape. Thus, the potential to retain the undertaking of “good housing for all” still exists, but it is unevenly actualized. How this discretion is used may be decisive for the future of the universal character of public housing in Sweden.
Effect of age on treatment, trends and outcome of patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation: insights from a 20-years registry in a middle-eastern country (1991–2010)

Background: Most studies on atrial fibrillation (AF) epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes have included mainly Caucasians patients. The world literature on AF in other ethnicities is very limited particularly in the elderly. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of elderly and younger patients hospitalized with AF in a Middle-Eastern country and examine the trends of AF etiologies over a 20-year period. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospective registry of all patients hospitalized with AF in Qatar from 1991 through 2010 was made. Patients were divided into three groups; group 1: patients ≦50 years old, group 2: patients between 51 and 70 years old, and group 3: patients >70 years old. Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of AF patients were compared according to age. Results: Between the year 1991 and the end of 2010, a total 3848 consecutive patients were admitted with AF. One thousand three hundred and forty-five patients were ≦50 years, 1759 were between 51 and 70 years and 744 patients were >70 years old. Elderly patients were more likely to have hypertension and chronic renal impairment. There was a higher prevalence of associated coronary artery disease and aortic stenosis in elderly patients with a lower left ventricular ejection fraction than the younger age groups. A lower use of anticoagulation in the elderly group was observed but there was no underuse of other evidence-based medications. The older AF patients had significantly higher in-hospital mortality and stroke rates with no significant changes in mortality trends over the 20 years of study. An increasing trend of the associated acute coronary syndromes, hypertension and diabetes mellitus prevalence was observed in the elderly group. Conclusion: Anticoagulation remains underutilized in elderly patients with AF despite proven efficacy and increasing trends of cardiovascular comorbidities. The current study underscores the urgent need for prospective studies to investigate warfarin contraindications, relative warfarin efficacy and bleeding risks in our region to help guide healthcare providers in warfarin prescribing in this frail patient population and consequently reduce the risk of AF-related disabling strokes and mortality.
Exchange-Sponsored Analyst Coverage

Several major stock exchanges, including the NASDAQ and NYSE Euronext, have recently embarked on schemes to sponsor and promote analyst coverage for firms listed on their exchanges. We evaluate the efficacy of one such scheme pioneered by the Singapore Exchange (SGX). We find that sponsored analysts produce forecasts with similar bias, but lower accuracy than those issued by analysts voluntarily following a firm. In analyses that control for self-selection into the SGX Scheme, we find that sponsored firms enjoy at best minor improvements in their information environments and stock liquidity. Any benefits accruing from the Scheme are insufficient to make sponsored firms fully comparable to those of firms with voluntary analyst following on the measured attributes.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Stochastic Behavior of an SF6 Blast-Switching Arc

This paper deals with some fundamental guidelines for the establishment of a stochastic arc model. Its aim is to describe the well known statistical behavior of the interrupting limit of circuit breakers taking into account short time fluctuations of the arc properties. This stochastic arc model is based on a phenomenological arc description regarding the switching arc as an electric two-pole. The arc parameters are no longer understood as deterministic functions but as stochastic processes. Their probability density distributions and the respective autocovariance and crosscovariance functions are the mathematical means to establish the model. Pseudorandom generators are used to compute switching processes of an electrical network connected to a stochastic arc. Experiments of an SF6 model circuit breaker were carried out with respect to the statistical behavior of its current, arc voltage, conductivity, and interrupting limit. From these experiments the necessary arc parameters were taken in an iterative strategy. With these parameters it was possible to reach good agreement between measured and calculated values of the failure probability of the breaker under test.
Omalizumab versus Mepolizumab as add-on therapy in asthma patients not well controlled on at least an inhaled corticosteroid: A network meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the comparative efficacy of Omalizumab (OMA) and Mepolizumab (Mepo) in the treatment of severe asthma by performing a network meta-analysis. Method: Data Sources: A systematic review of the literature was performed through four databases from their inception to February 2016. Study Selections: Randomized control trials and cohort studies were considered if they addressed the individual efficacy of OMA and Mepo in the treatment of asthma that was not well controlled on inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) with or without other agents. Results: OMA was significantly better than Mepo in improving the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire with a mean difference of 0.38 and a confidence interval of (0.21–0.55), p < 0.0001, without reaching the minimal clinically important difference of 0.5. No significant difference was seen in Asthma Control Questionnaire, forced expiratory volume in second 1 (FEV1), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) improvement from baseline. Both medications were successful in reducing the calculated annualized rates of asthma exacerbations (AEs) vs placebo by approximately 50%. The heterogeneity score for the different comparisons were elevated except for the PEFR. Conclusion: When compared indirectly via a network meta-analysis, the efficacy of OMA and Mepo was similar in the treatment of asthma that was not well controlled on at least high-dose ICS. The high heterogeneity observed and the different selection criteria for the use of the two drugs do not permit us to make any definitive recommendations for the preferential use of OMA vs Mepo in the patient populations studied. However, the current data do not suggest any major differences in efficacy.
Brand Equity and Firm Risk: An Empirical Investigation in an Emerging Market

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between brand equity and firm risk in Turkey using a sample of 254 firm-year observations for the period 2009–2014. Our findings suggest that brand equity is an important determinant of equity risk in addition to conventional firm-specific variables. In particular, after controlling for firm-specific variables, the results reveal that firms with high brand equity experience lower volatility in stock returns. We also find that enhancing brand equity is an important tool for firms in reducing unsystematic and downside systematic risk in their stock prices. Our findings are robust to different valuation models of domestic and global investors as well as different methods of estimations. The results are encouraging for both marketing managers and investors, particularly those in emerging markets where stock price volatility is relatively higher than in developed markets.
Facial Nerve Palsy in the Newborn: Incidence and Outcome

This study retrospectively identifies and characterizes patients with facial palsy related to birth trauma and describes the natural history of this disorder. The records of infants born with facial weakness or paralysis over a 5-year period at Brigham and Women's Hospital were reviewed, and criteria were defined to assign a diagnosis of acquired facial palsy based on birth history and documented physical examinations. The majority of patients were followed up by interview with a family member. Among 44,292 infants born between October 1, 1982 and July 31, 1987, there were 92 recorded cases of congenital seventh nerve palsy. Of these, 81 were acquired, for an incidence of 1.8 per 1000. Seventy-four of the 81 (91 percent) were associated with forceps delivery. By contrast, obstetric forceps were used in 19 percent of all deliveries during the period of the study. The average weight of subjects was 3.55 kg, versus a mean overall birth weight of 3.23 kg. Fifty-nine percent of mothers of affected children and 37 percent of controls were prima gravidas. Forceps delivery, birth weight of 3500 gm or more, and primiparity were all significant risk factors for acquired facial palsy. The incidence of additional birth injuries also was substantially higher among affected subjects than among the general population of newborns. Sixty-six of 81 patients had adequate follow-up. Recovery has been complete for 59 patients (89 percent) and incomplete for the remaining 7 (mean follow-up 34 months). In summary, congenital traumatic facial palsy has definable risk factors and a predictably favorable outcome.