Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 17‐Beta‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 13 Variant Protects From Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Recently, a loss of function variant (rs72613567) in 17‐beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) has been identified as protective of nonalcoholic (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, the role of this single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently unknown. A total of 3,315 European patients with HCC (n = 1,109) or without HCC, but with chronic liver disease (CLD; n = 2,206), from four centers were analyzed either by whole‐exome sequencing (WES; exploratory cohort, 285 HCC) or genotyped for HSD17B13 rs72613567 (validation cohort, 824 HCC and all CLD). We included a control group of 33,337 healthy European individuals from the Exome Aggregation Consortium. We compared distribution of genotype using the chi‐square test and logistic regression. In the exploratory cohort analyzed by WES, frequency of the TA allele of HSD17B13 rs72613567 was significantly decreased in HCC patients compared to healthy controls (P = 1.52 × 10−06). In the validation cohort, frequency of TA allele carriers was also decreased in patients with CLD and without HCC (39%) compared to healthy individuals (47%; P < 0.0001). The protective effect of the TA allele of HSD17B13 rs72613567 was identified in patients with ALD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65‐0.82; P < 0.0001), NAFLD (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49‐0.83; P = 0.0007), and hepatitis C (OR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60‐0.85; P = 0.0002). In patients with ALD, the proportion of TA allele carriers with HCC was significantly lower (32%) than in CLD patients without HCC (40%), even after adjustment for age, sex, and fibrosis (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46‐0.87; P = 0.005). Conclusion: The HSD17B13 rs72613567 loss of function variant is protective of HCC development in patients with ALD.
Skin Wounding–Induced Monocyte Expansion in Mice Is Not Abrogated by IL-1 Receptor 1 Deficiency

Key points Skin wounding promotes Mo expansion in mouse bone marrow. IL-1R1 signaling is not involved in skin wounding–induced Mo expansion. The aim of this study was to determine whether skin wounding induces monocyte (Mo) expansion in bone marrow and whether IL-1R1 signaling regulates this process. Our data show that skin wounding increases myeloid lineage–committed multipotent progenitors (MPP3 subset) and Mo in bone marrow, but this expansion is not impaired in Il1r1−/− mice. We also demonstrate that M-CSF–induced differentiation of myeloid progenitors into Mo is not impaired by the loss of IL-1R1 ex vivo, indicating that IL-R1 deficiency does not abrogate myeloid progenitor differentiation potential. In addition, we observed modestly delayed wound closure in Il1r1−/− mice associated with higher frequency of Ly6Clo Mo in the circulation at baseline and in wounds early after injury. Thus, in contrast to other models of inflammation that involve IL-1R1–dependent monopoiesis, our results demonstrate that skin wounding induces Mo progenitor and Mo expansion independently of IL-1R1 signaling.
Automatic Spatial Calibration of Ultra-Low-Field MRI for High-Accuracy Hybrid MEG–MRI

With a hybrid magnetoencephalography (MEG)–MRI device that uses the same sensors for both modalities, the co-registration of MRI and MEG data can be replaced by an automatic calibration step. Based on the highly accurate signal model of ultra-low-field (ULF) MRI, we introduce a calibration method that eliminates the error sources of traditional co-registration. The signal model includes complex sensitivity profiles of the superconducting pickup coils. In the ULF MRI, the profiles are independent of the sample and therefore well-defined. In the most basic form, the spatial information of the profiles, captured in parallel ULF-MR acquisitions, is used to find the exact coordinate transformation required. We assessed our calibration method by simulations assuming a helmet-shaped pickup-coil-array geometry. Using a carefully constructed objective function and sufficient approximations, even with low-SNR images, sub-voxel and sub-millimeter calibration accuracy were achieved. After the calibration, distortion-free MRI and high spatial accuracy for MEG source localization can be achieved. For an accurate sensor-array geometry, the co-registration and associated errors are eliminated, and the positional error can be reduced to a negligible level.
Evaluation of fungicides for the control of postharvest fruit rot pathogens of apple in Northern Greece

Abstract Postharvest fruit rots are of the most important diseases of fruit after picking. One of the main aims of this study was to investigate the pathogens causing apple fruit rots in Naoussa Imathia and Ptolemaida Kozanis. The results showed that the fungus Penicillium was responsible for about 78% and 84% in 2016 and 2017 respectively of the postharvest fruit rots of apples, while the fungus B. cinerea caused about 17% and 12% respectively. The fungi Monilinia laxa, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium proliferatum, Alternaria tenuissima, Truncatella angustata and Boeremia exigua were responsible for less than 5% of the total rotted fruit in both years. The sensitivity of 100 P. expansum isolates to the commercially available fludioxonil and the mixture fludioxonil + cyprodinil was also tested. None of the isolates was resistant to the fungicides tested. Finally, the efficacies of the above fungicides against P. expansum were examined. The results showed that both fludioxonil and the mixture fludioxonil + cyprodinil were appropriate to control P. expansum in apples. Both protected fruit for at least 30 days.
Estimation of Random Coefficient Multilevel Models in the Context of Small Numbers of Level 2 Clusters

Multilevel data are a reality for many disciplines. Currently, although multiple options exist for the treatment of multilevel data, most disciplines strictly adhere to one method for multilevel data regardless of the specific research design circumstances. The purpose of this Monte Carlo simulation study is to compare several methods for the treatment of multilevel data specifically when there is random coefficient variation in small samples. The methods being compared are fixed effects modeling (the industry standard in business and managerial sciences), multilevel modeling using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimation (the industry standard in the social and behavioral sciences), multilevel modeling using the Kenward–Rogers correction, and Bayesian estimation using Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Results indicate that multilevel modeling does have an advantage over fixed effects modeling when Level 2 slope parameter variance exists. Bayesian estimation of multilevel effects can be advantageous over traditional multilevel modeling using REML, but only when prior probabilities are correctly specified. Results are presented in terms of Type I error, power, parameter estimation bias, empirical parameter estimate standard error, and parameter 95% coverage rates, and recommendations are presented.
Complementary Role of P2 and Adenosine Receptors in ATP Induced-Anti-Apoptotic Effects Against Hypoxic Injury of HUVECs

Background: Vascular endothelial injury during ischemia generates apoptotic cell death and precedes apoptosis of underlying tissues. We aimed at studying the role of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on endothelial cells protection against hypoxia injury. Methods: In a hypoxic model on endothelial cells, we quantified the extracellular concentration of ATP and adenosine. The expression of mRNA (ectonucleotidases, adenosine, and P2 receptors) was measured. Apoptosis was evaluated by the expression of cleaved caspase 3. The involvement of P2 and adenosine receptors and signaling pathways was investigated using selective inhibitors. Results: Hypoxic stress induced a significant increase in extracellular ATP and adenosine. After a 2-h hypoxic injury, an increase of cleaved caspase 3 was observed. ATP anti-apoptotic effect was prevented by suramin, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (PPADS), and CGS15943, as well as by selective A2A, A2B, and A3 receptor antagonists. P2 receptor-mediated anti-apoptotic effect of ATP involved phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), mitoKATP, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathways whereas adenosine receptor-mediated anti-apoptotic effect involved ERK1/2, protein kinase A (PKA), and NOS. Conclusions: These results suggest a complementary role of P2 and adenosine receptors in ATP-induced protective effects against hypoxia injury of endothelial. This could be considered therapeutic targets to limit the development of ischemic injury of organs such as heart, brain, and kidney.
Reducing debt improves psychological functioning and changes decision-making in the poor

Significance The impact of chronic debt on the poor is psychological, not just financial. We hypothesize that chronic debt impairs psychological functioning and decision-making, contributing to the poverty trap. This is because debt is not considered fungible and is viewed as costly mental accounts that consume cognitive bandwidth. We test this using quasiexperimental evidence from a one-off, unanticipated debt-relief program worth several months’ household income. Comparing the poor before and after debt relief, those with more debt accounts paid off experienced greater improvements in cognitive functioning, reported less anxiety, and became less present-biased. These findings provide actionable evidence for poverty-alleviation policy. We examine how chronic debt affects behavior by studying how a large, unanticipated debt-relief program affected psychological functioning and economic decision-making in beneficiaries. A charity granted low-income households debt relief worth up to Singapore dollars 5,000 (∼3 month’s household income). We exploited quasiexperimental variation in the structure of debt relief: For the same dollar amount of relief, some beneficiaries had more debt accounts eliminated, while others had fewer paid off. Comparing 196 beneficiaries before and after debt relief, and controlling for debt-relief amount, having an additional debt account paid off improves cognitive functioning by about one-quarter of a SD and reduces the likelihood of exhibiting anxiety by 11% and of present bias by 10%. To achieve the same effect on cognitive functioning of eliminating one debt account, a beneficiary must receive debt relief worth ∼1 month’s household income. There is no effect of debt-relief magnitude on anxiety and decision-making. We exclude training and calendar effects, debt-causing behaviors, and liquidity constraints as explanations. Instead, these results support the hypothesis that chronic debt impairs behavior because the mental-accounting costs of owing distinct debt accounts consume mental bandwidth. Poverty-alleviation policies aimed at the indebted poor should consider addressing mental accounting and bandwidth taxes.
A climate-dependent global model of ammonia emissions from chicken farming

Abstract. Ammonia (NH3) has significant impacts on the environment, which can influence climate and air quality and cause acidification and eutrophication in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Agricultural activities are the main sources of NH3 emissions globally. Emissions of NH3 from chicken farming are highly dependent on climate, affecting their environmental footprint and impact. In order to investigate the effects of meteorological factors and to quantify how climate change affects these emissions, a process-based model, AMmonia–CLIMate–Poultry (AMCLIM–Poultry), has been developed to simulate and predict temporal variations in NH3 emissions from poultry excretion, here focusing on chicken farms and manure spreading. The model simulates the decomposition of uric acid to form total ammoniacal nitrogen, which then partitions into gaseous NH3 that is released to the atmosphere at an hourly to daily resolution. Ammonia emissions are simulated by calculating nitrogen and moisture budgets within poultry excretion, including a dependence on environmental variables. By applying the model with global data for livestock, agricultural practice and meteorology, we calculate NH3 emissions from chicken farming on a global scale (0.5∘ resolution). Based on 2010 data, the AMCLIM–Poultry model estimates NH3 emissions from global chicken farming of 5.5 ± 1.2 Tg N yr−1, about 13 % of the agriculture-derived NH3 emissions. Taking account of partial control of the ambient environment for housed chicken (layers and broilers), the fraction of excreted nitrogen emitted as NH3 is found to be up to 3 times larger in humid tropical locations than in cold or dry locations. For spreading of manure to land, rain becomes a critical driver affecting emissions in addition to temperature, with the emission fraction being up to 5 times larger in the semi-dry tropics than in cold, wet climates. The results highlight the importance of incorporating climate effects into global NH3 emissions inventories for agricultural sources. The model shows increased emissions under warm and wet conditions, indicating that climate change will tend to increase NH3 emissions over the coming century.
Use of Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil, and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio to Predict Patient Satisfaction After Septoplasty Plus Inferior Turbinate Reduction.

AIM Investigation of the predictive value of neutrophil, platelet, eosinophil, and basophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR, PLR, ELR, and BLR) in evaluation of patients' satisfaction of septoplasty + inferior turbinate reduction operations. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-six patients who were operated because of nasal obstruction were enrolled in the study. They were invited to the hospital and asked to answer a modified nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) survey to determine their degree of satisfaction. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their modified NOSE survey results, dissatisfied and satisfied groups. The 2 groups were compared in terms of demographic data, surgery, and hematological values. In addition, correlation analysis was performed between NLR, PLR, ELR, BLR, and modified NOSE scores. RESULTS There were 29 patients in the dissatisfied group and 47 patients in the satisfied group. Both groups were similar in terms of mean age, gender, surgery type, septal deviation type, smoking, hemoglobin, neutrophil, and white blood count (P > 0.05). There were significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of ELR and BLR (P < 0.05). In addition, there were negative and statistically significant correlations between modified NOSE scores and ELR and BLR. As ELR and BLR values increased, the satisfaction rate decreased. CONCLUSION Eosinophil to lymphocyte ratio and BLR could be used to predict patient satisfaction after septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction and for selection of patients.
Urate and Homocysteine: Predicting Motor and Cognitive Changes in Newly Diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Urate and homocysteine are potential biomarkers for disease progression in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Baseline serum urate concentration has been shown to predict motor but not cognitive decline. The relationship between serum homocysteine concentration and cognitive and motor impairment is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the association between baseline serum urate and homocysteine, and prospective measures of disease progression and cognition over 54 months in early PD. Methods: 154 newly diagnosed PD participants and 99 age-matched controls completed a schedule of assessments at baseline, 18, 36 and 54 months. The Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III) was used to assess motor severity. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess global cognition. Serum samples drawn at baseline were analysed for urate, homocysteine, red cell folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. Results: Baseline urate was 331.4±83.8 and 302.7±78. 0μmol/L for control and PD participants, respectively (p = 0.015). Baseline homocysteine was 9.6±3.3 and 11.1±3. 8μmol/L for controls and PD participants, respectively (p < 0.01). Linear mixed effects modelling showed that lower baseline urate (β= 0.02, p < 0.001) and higher homocysteine (β= 0.29, p < 0.05) predicted decline in motor function. Only higher homocysteine concentrations at baseline, however, predicted declining MoCA scores over 54 months (β= 0.11, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Lower serum urate concentration is associated with worsening motor function; while higher homocysteine concentration is associated with change in motor function and cognitive decline. Therefore, urate and homocysteine may be suitable biomarkers for predicting motor and cognitive decline in early PD.
Global Positioning System Monitoring of Selected Physical Demands of NCAA Division I Football Players During Games

Abstract Bayliff, GE, Jacobson, BH, Moghaddam, M, and Estrada, C. Global positioning system monitoring of selected physical demands of NCAA Division I football players during games. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1185–1191, 2019—Global positioning system (GPS) tracking of athletes in selected sports is a new innovation into obtaining comprehensive data regarding physical output with respect to distance travelled (DT), acceleration, and change of direction. The purpose of this study was to determine selected physical demands of American football players during the course of games and to compare such data by player position. Offensive lineman (OL) (n = 14) and defensive lineman (DL) (n = 9) and offensive wide receivers (WRs) (n = 10) and defensive backs (DBs) (n = 10) were fitted with GPS monitors during games. Collected data included DT, maximum velocity (MV), and acceleration (AC), deceleration (DC) distance at 2 intensities. Results indicated that DBs travelled significantly (p < 0.05) greater distances than OL and WR, but not DL. For MV, DBs and WRs were not significantly different but were significantly different from OL and DL. Also, DL was significantly different than OL. For the most intense acceleration (3–10 m·s−2), WR accelerated significantly further than all other positions and DBs accelerated further than DL and OL. There was not significant difference between DL and OL. For deceleration at the high-intensity measure, significant differences existed among all positions. Underestimation of workload during games could be a factor for the overuse and soft-tissue injuries and more serious injuries. Furthermore, using GPS tracking of similar variables as found in this study may benefit coaches and trainers in many other high-intensity sports.
Reforming School Discipline: Responses by School District Leadership to Revised State Guidelines for Student Codes of Conduct

Purpose: Over the past decade, increasing attention to the negative impacts of exclusionary discipline and disparities therein has led many state educational leaders to enact school discipline reforms. This study examined the response by school district leadership to a state’s revision of guidelines for student codes of conduct. Data: This study leveraged longitudinal data on school district codes of conduct from the 2013–2014 to 2015–2016 school years across the state of Maryland. Codes of conduct were coded in an iterative fashion according to a common set of infraction–response combinations. Research Design: Using a pre–post analytic design, this study examined changes in districts’ codified infractions, responses to infractions, and the overall tier of response. Furthermore, the study compared alignment between state guidelines and district codes of conduct while exploring variation in codified discipline across districts. Findings: Findings suggest that leaders in districts increased the number of response options available for most types of infractions, with the largest increases occurring for more serious infractions. While these increases tended to be driven by increases in the codification of less exclusionary responses, there were nevertheless sizeable increases in the availability of in-school suspension and removal/intervention. In almost all cases, school districts reported distributions of response options that were at a higher tier level than that recommended by the state. Conclusions: Findings are discussed in the context of current efforts to reform school discipline and the implications of such reform for implementation by district and school leadership.
Hypermobility among patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

INTRODUCTION Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common and disabling hip condition. Hypermobility has been suggested as a possible cause of GTPS. The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of hypermobility and to investigate its impact on hip-related function and awareness in patients with GTPS. METHODS This cross-sectional study was based on a cohort of patients diagnosed with GTPS in the 2013-2015 period. Hypermobility was investigated with the Beighton Score and defined by a cut-off score ≥ 5. Data on patients' current hip function and awareness were collected with the questionnaires the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score and the Forgotten Joint Score. RESULTS A total of 612 patients with GTPS were identified based on the diagnosis system; out of those, 390 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 145 (37%) were included. The prevalence of hypermobility within this cohort was estimated to be 11% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3-26%) for males and 25% (95% CI: 17-34%) for females. No significant association was found between hypermobility and self-reported hip function and awareness. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of hypermobility in patients with GTPS was high, but the prevalence of hypermobility did not influence hip function and awareness. The results were based on a very low response rate and should be interpreted with this in mind. FUNDING none. TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.
The impact of intra-industry trade on carbon dioxide emissions: The case of the European Union

The reductions of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are an essential objective of the European Union (EU) to achieving the reduction target by 20% by 2020. Along with energy consumption and agriculture, trade has a diverse impact on climate change. International trade usually negatively affects the environment, while the influence of intra-industry trade is more favourable. The paper investigates the impact of energy use, agriculture, and intra-industry trade on environmental pollution in EU countries using panel data for the period 2000–2014. The research frames the theoretical hypothesis that describing the relationship between agricultural intra-industry trade and climate change. The assumptions are confirmed by panel fixed effects, and Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimations, and the panel cointegration test. The empirical results have supported by the literature, and all variables used in this study are stationary applying panel unit root test. Results show that agricultural intra-industry trade, renewable energy is negatively correlated with climate change, confirming the less pollutant hypothesis, while economic growth and agricultural productivity induce environmental problems. This study confirms the theoretical hypotheses explaining the effect of intra-industry trade for agricultural products as well as the impacts of renewable energy use, agricultural land productivity, and economic growth on CO2 emissions.