Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separate and joint effects of tranplacental and postnatal inhalatory exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Prospective birth cohort study on wheezing events

The goal of this epidemiologic investigation was to analyze the associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and severity of wheeze and recurrent wheeze. The 257 children included in this analysis had a complete set of prenatal and postnatal PAH measurements and attended regular health checkups over a 4‐year follow‐up period since birth. Transplacental PAH exposure was measured by personal air monitoring of the mothers during the second trimester of pregnancy; postnatal exposure was estimated using the same instruments indoors at the children's residences at age 3. Chemical analysis tests were performed to determine airborne concentrations of nine PAH compounds. The results show that both prenatal and postnatal exposure were associated positively with the severity of wheezing days and recurrent wheezing reported in the follow‐up. While the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for severity of wheeze and prenatal PAH exposure was 1.53 (95%CI: 1.43–1.64) that for postnatal PAH exposure was 1.13 (95%CI: 1.08–1.19). However, recurrent wheezing was more strongly associated with airborne PAH levels measured at age 3 (OR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.26–4.22) than transplacental PAH exposure (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.85–2.09), but the difference was statistically insignificant. In conclusion, it appears that prenatal PAH exposure may precipitate and intensify early onset of wheezing symptoms in childhood, resulting from the postnatal exposure and suggest that success in reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases in children would depend on reducing both fetal and childhood exposure to air pollution. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:162–172. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo hadamard encoded continuous arterial spin labeling (H‐CASL)

Continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) measurements over a range of post‐labeling delay (PLD) times can be interpreted to estimate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (δa) with good spatial and temporal resolution. In this work, we present an in vivo demonstration of Hadamard‐encoded continuous arterial spin labeling (H‐CASL); an efficient method of imaging the inflow of short boli of labeled blood water in the brain at multiple PLD times. We present evidence that H‐CASL is viable for in vivo application in the rat brain and can improve the precision of δa estimation in 2/3 of the imaging time required for standard multi‐PLD CASL. Based on these findings, we propose that H‐CASL may have application as an efficient prescan for optimization of ASL imaging parameters to improve the precision of CBF estimation. Magn Reson Med 63:1111–1118, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translation of a Small Subset of Caenorhabditis elegans mRNAs Is Dependent on a Specific Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E Isoform

ABSTRACT The mRNA cap-binding protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) participates in protein synthesis initiation, translational repression of specific mRNAs, and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Multiple isoforms of eIF4E are expressed in a variety of organisms, but their specific roles are poorly understood. We investigated one Caenorhabditis elegans isoform, IFE-4, which has homologues in plants and mammals. IFE-4::green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed in pharyngeal and tail neurons, body wall muscle, spermatheca, and vulva. Knockout of ife-4 by RNA interference (RNAi) or a null mutation produced a pleiotropic phenotype that included egg-laying defects. Sedimentation analysis demonstrated that IFE-4, but not IFE-1, was present in 48S initiation complexes, indicating that it participates in protein synthesis initiation. mRNAs affected by ife-4 knockout were determined by DNA microarray analysis of polysomal distribution. Polysome shifts, in the absence of total mRNA changes, were observed for only 33 of the 18,967 C. elegans mRNAs tested, of which a disproportionate number were related to egg laying and were expressed in neurons and/or muscle. Translational regulation was confirmed by reduced levels of DAF-12, EGL-15, and KIN-29. The functions of these proteins can explain some phenotypes observed in ife-4 knockout mutants. These results indicate that translation of a limited subset of mRNAs is dependent on a specific isoform of eIF4E.
Appropriate utilization of clinical laboratory tests

Abstract Background: The use of laboratory tests has been increasing in recent years due to various factors affecting laboratories, physicians, legal aspects, or patients themselves. Methods: The efficacy of laboratory tests must be evaluated on the basis of the clinical benefits that they provide in terms of prevention, diagnosis, follow-up, or treatment; with the aim of optimizing health results in general. Results: There are techniques that can be used to determine the clinical validity of the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of treatment or preventive measures performed on individuals with abnormal tests, as well as providing an economic evaluation of the process. Once the test is incorporated into clinical service, it must be evaluated by retrospective audits in test utilization. To improve the use of laboratory tests, many strategies have been devised that incorporate clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), the conduct of professionals and the patients, and organization of the process. We discuss the importance of the involvement of health professionals. Conclusions: Strategies in relation to CPGs, conduct of professionals, conduct of patients, or organization of health care processes improve the use of tests in relation to clinical processes. Laboratory professionals have the appropriate knowledge and can improve the quality and efficacy of health care. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:1461–5.
Comparison of Coronary Sinus Morphology in Patients With and Without Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia by Intracardiac Echocardiography

Introduction: Dual AV nodal physiology is the electrophysiologic substrate for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), but the anatomic basis for this arrhythmia remains to be elucidated. Atrial flutter (AFL) has been shown to be more frequently inducible in patients with AVNRT.
Clinical implications of dynamic systems theory for phonological development.

PURPOSE To examine treatment outcomes in relation to the complexity of treatment goals for children with speech sound disorders. METHOD The clinical implications of dynamic systems theory in contrast with learnability theory are discussed, especially in the context of target selection decisions for children with speech sound disorders. Detailed phonological analyses of pre-and posttreatment speech samples are provided for 6 children who received treatment in a previously published randomized controlled trial of contrasting approaches to target selection (Rvachew & Nowak, 2001). Three children received treatment for simple target phonemes that did not introduce any new feature contrasts into the children's phonological systems. Three children received treatment for complex targets that represented feature contrasts that were absent from the children's phonological systems. RESULTS Children who received treatment for simple targets made more progress toward the acquisition of the target sounds and demonstrated emergence of complex untreated segments and feature contrasts. Children who received treatment for complex targets made little measurable gain in phonological development. CONCLUSIONS Treatment outcomes will be enhanced if the clinician selects treatment targets at the segmental and prosodic levels of the phonological system in such a way as to stabilize the child's knowledge of subcomponents that form the foundation for the emergence of more complex phoneme contrasts.
New Perspectives in the Acute Treatment of Bipolar Depression

Summary: In contrast to mania, bipolar depression is usually characterised by longer-lasting episodes and a higher incidence of treatment refractoriness. Additionally, the risks of antidepressive standard treatment regimens are increasingly recognised, especially the risk of a switch into mania or induction of a rapid cycling course. Mood stabilisers, e.g. lithium, and some anticonvulsants, appear to have at least some antidepressant efficacy, which, however, may not be sufficient for treating severe depression. Currently, their use as a monotherapy of mild depression and at the start as a co-medication to antidepressants in severe depression is under consideration. The potential usefulness and risks of currently applied antidepressive treatment strategies as well as potential future developments will be reviewed in this article. At this stage, at least in severe depression, the use of true antidepressants still appears to be mandatory, especially because of the risk of suicide. However, initial combination with a mood stabiliser can be recommended. The treatment of depressive episodes only responsive to ECT should include combination with a mood stabiliser, in this case lithium, right from the start. In patients with lithium refractoriness, mood stabilising anticonvulsants should be initiated directly after the end of the ECT cycle. In order to reach sufficient plasma levels and thus reduce the risk of a switch, a loading therapy is recommended.
Obstacles Avoidance for an Articulated Robot Using Modified Smooth Path Planning

This article satisfies obstacle avoidance based on modified path-planning for an articulated robot under limited knowledge environment. The knowledge from the environment can be obtained using local range sensors mounted on the robot. The modification of the A-star algorithm is presented as the basis approach for a new smooth path-planning. A three-circle zone concept is proposed to generate a free collision path with minimum length. The corresponding kinematic model is being specified to produce lateral and longitudinal as a control signals under the limitations of the robot dynamic constraints. The kinematic model of the articulated robot is calculated and derived to use it in the motion planning. Motion behavior between the initial and the destination points under unavailable map of environment with low computation cost are presented. A method for nonholonomic smooth motion planning for articulated robot is established by using MATLAB. Simulate results showed the smoothness and shortest way to drive the robot over such path.
Property Mix Heterogeneity and Market Cycles: How much Can we Rely On Median-Price Indices?

Objective. Understand in which types of location median-price indices could provide reasonable estimates of rent growth. As far as our research allows, the market-based measures developed througout this study are the first to emphasize office properties in Brazil using an hedonic framework. Methodology. Create appraisal-based indices of rent growth using median-price and hedonic-based techniques for two regions with different degrees of property mix heterogeneity and compare their behavior overtime. Findings. Volatility in median-price measures is larger than hedonic-based measures in market peaks and throughs due to different weighting of high and low-tier properties overtime. This result is stronger in the location with higher property mix heterogeneity and, consequently, exacerbates market cycles in this region. Limitations. We do not find statistically significant differences between the measures considered. Nevertheless, we do not consider whether this similarity would hold when using transactional-based data. Value. Our results suggest that researchers, policy makers and investors need to take into account the “undesired fluctuation” of median-price measures when interpreting such indices.
G4-forming Sequences in the Non-transcribed DNA Strand Pose Blocks to T7 RNA Polymerase and Mammalian RNA Polymerase II*

DNA sequences rich in runs of guanine have the potential to form G4 DNA, a four-stranded non-canonical DNA structure stabilized by formation and stacking of G quartets, planar arrays of four hydrogen-bonded guanines. It was reported recently that G4 DNA can be generated in Escherichia coli during transcription of plasmids containing G-rich sequences in the non-transcribed strand. In addition, a stable RNA/DNA hybrid is formed with the transcribed strand. These novel structures, termed G loops, are suppressed in recQ+ strains, suggesting that their persistence may generate genomic instability and that the RecQ helicase may be involved in their dissolution. However, little is known about how such non-canonical DNA structures are processed when encountered by an elongating polymerase. To assess whether G4-forming sequences interfere with transcription, we studied their effect on transcription elongation by T7 RNA polymerase and mammalian RNA polymerase II. We used a reconstituted transcription system in vitro with purified polymerase and initiation factors and with substrates containing G-rich sequences in either the transcribed or non-transcribed strand downstream of the T7 promoter or the adenovirus major late promoter. We report that G-rich sequences located in the transcribed strand do not affect transcription by either polymerase, but when the sequences are located in the non-transcribed strand, they partially arrest both polymerases. The efficiency of arrest increases with negative supercoiling and also with multiple rounds of transcription compared with single events.
CATALYST OF BUSINESS CYCLE SYNCHRONIZATION IN EAST ASIA

The essential question this paper seeks to answer is whether the business cycle co-movement in East Asia are fostered by internal bilateral trade within the region, specifically, intra-industry trade or by external forces like the influence of the world’s largest economy, namely, the United States. This paper examines the extent and robustness of the relationship between trade intensity and business cycle synchronization for nine East Asian countries in the period 1965–2008. Unlike previous studies which assume away the region’s concurrent connection with the rest of the world, in our regressions we control for both the US effect and the exchange rate co-movement in the region. We find that the coefficient estimates for intra-industry trade intensity remain robust and significant even after controlling for the US effect and the exchange rate co-movement. The findings confirm that regional intra-industry trade fosters business cycle correlations among countries in East Asia.
Validation of Nitrite and Nitrate Measurements in Exhaled Breath Condensate

Background: Inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are investigated as a non-invasive approach to monitoring of inflammation in the respiratory tract. EBC concentrations of nitrite and nitrate, the stable end products of oxidative metabolism of nitric oxide, are increased in patients with asthma, especially during acute exacerbations. Objectives: To examine methodological aspects of nitrite and nitrate measurements in EBC such as sample collection, storage and analysis. Methods: In a randomized study, EBC was collected twice within 1 h (with and without a nose clip) in 20 healthy adults and 20 patients with well-controlled asthma and no symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Nitrite and nitrate were assayed by ionex chromatography and fluorimetrically after derivatization with diaminonaphthalene. Results: The geometric mean [exp (mean ± SD)] EBC levels of nitrite and nitrate in healthy subjects [4.3 (3.0–6.1) and 11.0 (5.3–22.7) µmol/l] and patients [4.6 (2.6–7.3) and 8.7 (3.2–23.8) µmol/l] did not differ (p = 0.13). Wearing a nose clip (p = 0.3) did not influence nitrite and nitrate concentrations. The mean intra-subject %CVs of EBC concentrations of nitrite were 26 and 21% in healthy subjects and patients, while those of nitrate achieved 49 and 88%, respectively. Conclusions: Ionex chromatography of nitrite and nitrate requires no sample pretreatment and provides comparable results as a more laborious diaminonaphthalene method. EBC samples should be kept cold (8°C) and analyzed for nitrite and nitrate within 24 h of collection or stored in the freezer and thawed preferably only once. Wearing a nose clip during EBC collection has no influence on nitrite and nitrate concentrations. Short-term repeatability of nitrite and nitrate measurements was worse compared to published data on exhaled nitric oxide.
‘Feeding 9 billion people’: global food security debates and the productionist trap

ABSTRACT Food security, a long-established item on the international agenda, raises many issues including production, consumption, poverty, inequalities, healthcare and conflicts. However, in 2007/2008 the global food security debate was relaunched with a single dominant focus which continues to the present day: increasing agricultural production. This paper explains this productionist bias – which may translate into inadequate policies – by combining insights from institutionalist and cognitive analyses. We show that, despite recent reforms, the global food security field remains dominated by macro- and micro-institutions that put food availability and agricultural production at the heart of the problem and solutions. The political and discursive strategies developed by transnational corporations and private foundations to promote their productivist interests are also key, along with the demands of dominant farmers’ unions in exporting countries. Although advocating opposite development patterns, civil society actors implicitly reinforce the productionist perspective through their focus on family agriculture.
Farnesol: antinociceptive effect and histopathological analysis of the striatum and hippocampus of mice

Farnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, has been shown to have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. Recent studies have found that antioxidant compounds may exert a certain protective effect against neurotoxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of farnesol (FAR) and its neurotoxic effects on the brains of adult mice. In this study, two mouse models of analgesia were used to evaluate FAR at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). In the acetic acid–induced writhing test, a significant decrease was found in the number of contortions in the FAR‐treated mice at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. FAR was also found to inhibit the licking response in the injected paw at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (i.p.) in the first (0–5 min) and second phases (15–30 min) of the formalin test. To evaluate neurotoxic effects, Swiss mice were treated with 0.9% saline (i.p., control group), 0.05 Tween 80 dissolved in 0.9% saline (i.p., vehicle group), and FAR 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, i.p. Following treatment, all groups were observed for 72 h. In the FAR 200‐mg group, 16% of the animals suffered brain injury that affected 12% of the area of the hippocampus. No lesions were found in the hippocampal and striatal regions of the brain in any of the animals treated with the 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of FAR. In conclusion, FAR exerts an antinociceptive effect with no significant neurotoxicity in the brains of adult mice.
Loyalty or Inertia? Customer Perspective on Traditional Micro-retailing of Fisheries Commodities in Small Islands Coastal Area

The traditional micro-retailing market its existence today threatened by the strong penetration of supermarkets, the condition does not occur only in big cities in developed country but also in development country such as rural coastal area. In order to measure the sustainability and durability on existence of the traditional wet market against rapid penetration of supermarket then study to investigate whether the customer who shop wet product on traditional market categories as loyal or inertia (spurious loyalty) is necessary. This research conducted in the Kei Islands which is rural coastal area in Indonesia with respondents were customers who shop wet product on the traditional micro-retail market for at least four times in a month. Using the structural equation modeling, the results of this research showed that customer who buy fisheries wet product on the traditional micro-retail market in Kei Islands were identified as spurious loyalty or inertia. Implication of this result for local governments need to tightening regulation to prevent supermarket penetration especially in rural area and for seller (fishermen and aquaculture farmers) to increase their brand image by maintaining the consistency of quantity and quality of their product to keep their current customers against penetration of supermarket. Keywords: Traditional micro-retailing market, fisheries commodity, rural coastal areas. JEL Classification : M31
Identification of an “Exceptional Responder” Cell Line to MEK1 Inhibition: Clinical Implications for MEK-Targeted Therapy

The identification of somatic genetic alterations that confer sensitivity to pharmacologic inhibitors has led to new cancer therapies. To identify mutations that confer an exceptional dependency, shRNA-based loss-of-function data were analyzed from a dataset of numerous cell lines to reveal genes that are essential in a small subset of cancer cell lines. Once these cell lines were determined, detailed genomic characterization from these cell lines was utilized to ascertain the genomic aberrations that led to this extreme dependency. This method, in a large subset of lung cancer cell lines, yielded a single lung adenocarcinoma cell line, NCI-H1437, which is sensitive to RNA interference of MAP2K1 expression. Notably, NCI-H1437 is the only lung cancer cell line included in the dataset with a known activating mutation in MAP2K1 (Q56P). Subsequent validation using shRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 confirmed MAP2K1 dependency. In vitro and in vivo inhibitor studies established that NCI-H1437 cells are sensitive to MEK1 inhibitors, including the FDA-approved drug trametinib. Like NCI-H1437 cells, the MAP2K1-mutant cell lines SNU-C1 (colon) and OCUM-1 (gastric) showed decreased viability after MAP2K1 depletion via Cas9-mediated gene editing. Similarly, these cell lines were particularly sensitive to trametinib treatment compared with control cell lines. On the basis of these data, cancers that harbor driver mutations in MAP2K1 could benefit from treatment with MEK1 inhibitors. Furthermore, this functional data mining approach provides a general method to experimentally test genomic features that confer dependence in tumors. Implications: Cancers with an activated RAS/MAPK pathway driven by oncogenic MAP2K1 mutations may be particularly sensitive to MEK1 inhibitor treatments. Mol Cancer Res; 14(2); 207–15. ©2015 AACR.
Recruitment of cyanobacteria from the sediments in the eutrophic Shanzi Reservoir

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of four environmental factors on the recruitment of cyanobacteria from bottom sediments in the eutrophic Shanzi Reservoir. Temperature and light were identified as the key determinants for the recruitment of Microcystis and Oscillatoria. Cyanobacteria became dominant at higher temperature (20°C) and light intensity (2000 lx) and Microcystis and Oscillatoria were the major species. Detailed recruitment simulation undertaken with the respective gradients of temperature and light suggested that both Microcystis and Oscillatoria are temperature sensitive and that their critical temperature point was 10°C. However, distinct light impacts were observed only on Microcystis. The recruitment of Oscillatoria was light independent, whereas Microcystis had a positive relationship with light intensity. Physical disturbance promoted Microcystis recruitment and also affected the structure of the recruited cyanobacterial community at the water–sediment interface, based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and phylogenetic analysis.