Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational Exposure to Asbestos and Man-Made Vitreous Fibers, and Risk of Lung Cancer: Evidence From Two Case-Control Studies in Montreal, Canada

Objective: To examine the effects of occupational asbestos and man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) on the risk of lung cancer in two population-based case-control studies entailing exposure at lower levels than in historic cohort studies. Methodology: Study I (1979 to 1986) comprised 857 cases and 1066 population and cancer controls. Study II (1996 to 2001) comprised 858 cases and 1295 population controls. A detailed job history was obtained to evaluate lifetime occupational exposure to 294 agents, including asbestos and MMVF. Results: We found increased risks for substantial exposure to asbestos (odds ratio = 1.78; 95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 3.36). The corresponding odds ratio for substantial exposure to MMVF was 1.10 (95% confidence interval: 0.37 to 3.22). Discussion: Low and moderate levels of exposure to asbestos, as encountered in this population, were associated with some excess risk of lung cancer. Results for MMVF were inconclusive.
Generation of a conditional allele of the CBP gene in mouse

CREB‐binding protein (CBP) is an important transcriptional cofactor for various intracellular signaling pathways, including Ca2+‐ and cAMP‐mediated gene activation. The loss of one CBP allele causes the human Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome, which is characterized by mental retardation and other severe developmental defects. Deletion of both CBP alleles in the mouse leads to early embryonic lethality. To address the function of CBP in late embryogenesis and in adult physiology, a floxed CBP allele (CBPfl) was generated. Using the Cre/loxP recombination system, CBP function was disrupted in principal forebrain neurons by breeding with a transgenic CaMKIIα‐Cre mouse line to obtain CBPfl/fl;CaMKIIαCre mice. These mice contain CBPstop523 alleles specifically in principal forebrain neurons, presumably resulting in the production of a truncated CBP protein unable to interact with a number of transcription factors, including phosphorylated CREB. genesis 40:82–89, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recombinant Fibrinogen Vlissingen/Frankfurt IV

We synthesized a variant, recombinant fibrinogen modeled after the heterozygous dysfibrinogen Vlissingen/Frankfurt IV, a deletion of two residues, γAsn-319 and γAsp-320, located within the high affinity calcium-binding pocket. Turbidity studies showed no evidence of fibrin polymerization, although size exclusion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering studies showed small aggregates. These aggregates did not resemble normal protofibrils nor did they clot. Fibrinopeptide A release was normal, whereas fibrinopeptide B release was delayed approximately 3-fold. Plasmin cleavage of this fibrinogen was not changed by the presence of calcium or Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro, indicating that both the calcium-binding site and the “a” polymerization site were non-functional. We conclude that the loss of normal polymerization was due to the lack of “A-a” interactions. Moreover, functions associated with the C-terminal end of the γ chain, such as platelet aggregation and factor XIII cross-linking, were also disrupted, suggesting that this deletion of two residues affected the overall structure of the C-terminal domain of the γ chain.
The Role of Social Capital in Health Communication Campaigns

Using a two-round longitudinal panel data set from the National Survey of Parents and Youth (NSPY), the present study examined the roles of antidrug-related community activities at both individual and aggregate levels in the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. This study found a main effect of parent’s antidrug-specific community activities on targeted parent-child communication about drugs. More interestingly, parents who did not actively participate in antidrug-related community activities were more likely to talk about drugs with their offspring after being exposed to the antidrug campaign ads than were their counterparts. In contrast, there was little evidence for a contextual effect of aggregate-level antidrug-specific community activities on targeted parent-child communication or for its cross-level interaction with campaign exposure. The implications of these findings for communication research and public health intervention efforts were discussed.
Self-Enforcing Trade Agreements and Private Information

This paper considers self-enforcing trade agreements among privately informed governments. A trade agreement that uses weak bindings (i.e., maximal tariff levels) is shown to offer advantages relative to a trade agreement that uses strong bindings (i.e., precise tariff levels). Consistent with practice, the theory also predicts that governments sometimes apply tariffs that are strictly below their bound rates. When private information is persistent through time, an enforcement "ratchet effect" is identified: a government reveals that it is "weak," and thus that it is unlikely to retaliate in an effective manner, when it applies a low tariff. This effect suggests that a government with a low type may "pool" at an above-optimal tariff, in order to conceal weakness. It also suggests a new information-based theory of gradualism in trade agreements.
Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic functions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A comperative study of diastolic functions in sub-phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. It is known to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the echocardiographic data of patients according to the phenotypes of PCOS. METHODS This study included 113 patients with PCOS and 52 controls. Patients were classified into four potential PCOS phenotypes. Laboratory analyses and echocardiographic measurements were performed. Left ventricular mass was calculated by using Devereux formula and was indexed to body surface area. RESULTS Phenotype-1 PCOS patients had significantly higher homeostasis model assessment - insu-lin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.023), free testosterone (p < 0.001), LDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.001) and free androgen index (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. There were significant differences between groups regarding the septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, Left ventricular ejection frac-tion, E/A ratio and left ventricular mass index (for all, p < 0.05). PCOS patients with phenotype 1 and 2 had significantly higher left ventricular mass index than the control group (p < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate analyses, PCOS phenotype, modified Ferriman-Gallwey Score and estradiol were found as variables, which independently could affect the left ventricular mass index. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that women in their twenties who specifically fulfilled criteria for PCOS phenotype-1 according to the Rotterdam criteria, had higher left ventricular mass index and decreased E/A ratio, which might be suggestive of early stage diastolic dysfunction. (Cariol J 2017; 24, 4: 364-373).
Risk factors for highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial layer chicken farms in bangladesh during 2011.

A case-control study conducted during 2011 involved 90 randomly selected commercial layer farms infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza type A subtype H5N1 (HPAI) and 175 control farms randomly selected from within 5 km of infected farms. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information about potential risk factors for contracting HPAI and was administered to farm owners or managers. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify significant risk factors. A total of 20 of 43 risk factors for contracting HPAI were identified after univariable logistic regression analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was derived by forward stepwise selection. Both unmatched and matched analyses were performed. The key risk factors identified were numbers of staff, frequency of veterinary visits, presence of village chickens roaming on the farm and staff trading birds. Aggregating these findings with those from other studies resulted in a list of 16 key risk factors identified in Bangladesh. Most of these related to biosecurity. It is considered feasible for Bangladesh to achieve a very low incidence of HPAI. Using the cumulative list of risk factors to enhance biosecurity pertaining to commercial farms would facilitate this objective.
Understanding the determinants of EKR usage from social, technological and personal perspectives

With the capacity to provide the necessary infrastructure to implement knowledge management processes, electronic knowledge repositories (EKRs) have gradually evolved into a backbone for many organizations, and have become a topic of much concern in recent MIS studies. Among the diverse theories commonly employed to target the issue are social capital theory, social cognitive theory, and task technology fit (TTF). Social capital theory primarily addresses issues of what components constitute a social network and how they influence an individual's behavior, necessitating the introduction of social cognitive theory as the foundation for the interpretation of personal cognition. Task technology fit theory, which highlights the fit between the technological characteristics and the user's task character, is also a key factor in determining the EKR usage. This paper integrates these three theories to investigate and compare the main influences on EKR usage from personal, social and technological perspectives. Through a sampling survey of 194 EKR users, EKR self-efficacy, trust, and task technology fit are found to have substantial influences on the EKR usage. Among these three main factors, EKR self-efficacy plays the most important role in determining EKR usage.
Is There a Role for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring With Codeine?

Abstract: Codeine is an old and commonly used analgesic agent for mild to moderate pain. It is the prototypical “prodrug” in that its analgesic effect is almost wholly dependent on its biotransformation to morphine, a process that is mediated by the polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme. As such, interindividual variability in codeine metabolism and response is a clinical reality, and there has been much progress in characterizing the genetic causes of this variability in diverse populations. Yet despite the potential for both life-threatening adverse reactions and lack of therapeutic effect, codeine is not commonly indicated for therapeutic drug monitoring. This review will discuss the relative role of pharmacogenetics and therapeutic drug monitoring in predicting and/or maintaining adequate and safe analgesia with codeine. The review will end on a discussion of how the marriage of these 2 fields may provide new insights into the mechanisms of codeine-induced toxicity and analgesia.
Interacting topological phases in multiband nanowires

We show that semiconductor nanowires coupled to an s-wave superconductor provide a playground to study effects of interactions between different topological superconducting phases supporting Majorana zero-energy modes. We consider quasi-one dimensional system where the topological phases emerge from different transverse subbands in the nanowire. In a certain parameter space, we show that there is a multicritical point in the phase diagram where the low-energy theory is equivalent to the one describing two coupled Majorana chains. We study effect of interactions as well as symmetry-breaking perturbations on the topological phase diagram in the vicinity of this multicritical point. Our results shed light on the stability of the topological phase around the multicritical point and have important implications for the experiments on Majorana nanowires.
Stimulation of yeast meiotic gene expression by the glucose-repressible protein kinase Rim15p

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RIM15 gene was identified previously through a mutation that caused reduced ability to undergo meiosis. We report here an analysis of the cloned RIM15 gene, which specifies a 1,770-residue polypeptide with homology to serine/threonine protein kinases. Rim15p is most closely related to Schizosaccharomyces pombe cek1+. Analysis of epitope-tagged derivatives indicates that Rim15p has autophosphorylation activity. Deletion of RIM15 causes reduced expression of several early meiotic genes (IME2, SPO13, and HOP1) and of IME1, which specifies an activator of early meiotic genes. However, overexpression of IME1 does not permit full expression of early meiotic genes in a rim15delta mutant. Ime1p activates early meiotic genes through its interaction with Ume6p, and analysis of Rim15p-dependent regulatory sites at the IME2 promoter indicates that activation through Ume6p is defective. Two-hybrid interaction assays suggest that Ime1p-Ume6p interaction is diminished in a rim15 mutant. Glucose inhibits Ime1p-Ume6p interaction, and we find that Rim15p accumulation is repressed in glucose-grown cells. Thus, glucose repression of Rim15p may be responsible for glucose inhibition of Ime1p-Ume6p interaction.
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents.

What has been said regarding persons working overseas but whose long-standing home is the United Kingdom applies to this third group of patients. Rapid air travel enables such persons to reach this country during the incubation period of some serious infective disorders of which typhoid fever, smallpox, and malaria are the most common, and many of the patients seen suffering from these disorders have recently left their country of origin. Acute illness should be managed as for group 1 patients; in those suffering less acute illness it is probably advisable to obtain further opinion either from a general hospital or from one specializing in tropical disorders. It is understandable that general hospitals should like to keep an "interesting patient," though this is not always in the best interest of the individual; they too might do better by obtaining expert opinion and by obtaining it early rather than as a last resort when all other investigations have proved negative. As there are good and bad ways of handling an acute abdomen, a spontaneous pneumothorax, and a placenta praevia so there are good and bad ways of handling an amoebic liver abscess or an infection with P. falciparum.
Separate and overlapping metabolic functions of LXR and LXR in C 57 Bl / 6 female mice

Marion Korach-André, Paolo Parini, Lilian Larsson, Anders Arner, Knut R. Steffensen, and Jan-Åke Gustafsson Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet; Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden; and Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Trends in outpatient visits for insomnia, sleep apnea, and prescriptions for sleep medications among US adults: findings from the National Ambulatory Medical Care survey 1999-2010.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To examine recent national trends in outpatient visits for sleep related difficulties in the United States and prescriptions for sleep medications. DESIGN Trend analysis. SETTING Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1999 to 2010. PARTICIPANTS Patients age 20 y or older. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The number of office visits with insomnia as the stated reason for visit increased from 4.9 million visits in 1999 to 5.5 million visits in 2010 (13% increase), whereas the number with any sleep disturbance ranged from 6,394,000 visits in 1999 to 8,237,000 visits in 2010 (29% increase). The number of office visits for which a diagnosis of sleep apnea was recorded increased from 1.1 million visits in 1999 to 5.8 million visits in 2010 (442% increase), whereas the number of office visits for which any sleep related diagnosis was recorded ranged from 3.3 million visits in 1999 to 12.1 million visits in 2010 (266% increase). The number of prescriptions for any sleep medication ranged from 5.3 in 1999 to 20.8 million in 2010 (293% increase). Strong increases in the percentage of office visits resulting in a prescription for nonbenzodiazepine sleep medications (∼350%), benzodiazepine receptor agonists (∼430%), and any sleep medication (∼200%) were noted. CONCLUSIONS Striking increases in the number and percentage of office visits for sleep related problems and in the number and percentage of office visits accompanied by a prescription for a sleep medication occurred from 1999-2010. CITATION Ford ES, Wheaton AG, Cunningham TJ, Giles WH, Chapman DP, Croft JB. Trends in outpatient visits for insomnia, sleep apnea, and prescriptions for sleep medications among US adults: findings from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 1999-2010.
Liaison Psychiatry: Factors Influencing the Consultation Process

In the last two decades psychiatrists in liaison work have asked nonpsychiatrists to accept a greater role in the management of mental illness, sponsoring educational programs and offering consultative services to provide assistance in diagnosis and management of patients. The triadic doctor-doctor-patient relationship and transference-countertransference phenomena often have more influence on the consultation process and the effectiveness of didactic methods than real problems like the degree of availability of consultants. Such factors as 1) the circumstances of the choice of medicine as a profession, 2) the special meaning of the choice of specialty, and 3) personality factors have great influence upon the relationship between the consultant and the consultee, the quality of the consultation, and the effectiveness of educational methods used in liaison psychiatry. The results of an attitudinal survey of fifty physicians, conducted to explore conscious motivations for choosing the medical profession, attitudes toward consultation process, and less conscious elements such as fears of illness or death are discussed as a basis for understanding the consultation process and designing effective continuing education programs on the psychosocial aspects of medical care. An important implication of the study is the need to question the ways in which nonpsychiatrists are encouraged and expected to assume more responsibility for the care of patients with emotional problems.
Mammalian E4 Is Required for Cardiac Development and Maintenance of the Nervous System

ABSTRACT Ubiquitin conjugation typically requires three classes of enzyme: E1, E2, and E3. A fourth type of enzyme (E4), however, was recently shown to be required for the degradation of certain types of substrate in yeast. We previously identified UFD2a (also known as E4B) as an E4 in mammals. UFD2a is exclusively expressed in cardiac muscle during mouse embryonic development, but it is abundant in neurons of adult mice and is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease. The precise physiological function of this enzyme has remained largely unknown, however. Here, we show that mice lacking UFD2a die in utero, manifesting marked apoptosis in the developing heart. Polyubiquitylation activity for an E4 substrate was greatly reduced in Ufd2a−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Furthermore, Ufd2a +/− mice displayed axonal dystrophy in the nucleus gracilis, as well as degeneration of Purkinje cells accompanied by endoplasmic reticulum stress. These animals also developed a neurological disorder. UFD2a thus appears to be essential for the development of cardiac muscle, as well as for the protection of spinocerebellar neurons from degeneration induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress.
A QoS Scheme for Streaming Applications in 802.llb Ad Hoc Networks

The paper presents the performance evaluation of two ad hoc multicast routing protocols, AMRIS and ODMRP, with video traffic sources. The investigation considers the IEEE 802.11b MAC protocol and applies a quality of service scheme over the UDP transport layer, with the aim to increase both the performance of the routing protocols and the quality of service perceived by the users of the network. Performance is obtained by means of simulations and is given in terms of frame delivery fraction, energy consumption and average transmission delay
Two brief alcohol-screening tests From the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): validation in a female Veterans Affairs patient population.

BACKGROUND Primary care physicians need a brief alcohol questionnaire that identifies hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questions 1 through 3 (AUDIT-C), and AUDIT question 3 alone are effective alcohol-screening tests in male Veterans Affairs (VA) patients, but have not been validated in women. METHODS Female VA patients (n = 393) completed self-administered questionnaires, including the 10-item AUDIT and a previously proposed modification to AUDIT question 3 with a sex-specific threshold for binge drinking (>/=4 drinks/occasion), and in-person interviews with the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule. The AUDIT-C, AUDIT question 3 alone, and the 10-item AUDIT were each evaluated with and without the sex-specific binge question and compared with past-year hazardous drinking (>7 drinks/week or >/=4 drinks/occasion) and/or active Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition alcohol abuse or dependence, based on interviews. RESULTS Eighty-nine women (22.6%) met interview criteria for past-year hazardous drinking and/or active alcohol abuse or dependence. Standard and sex-specific AUDIT-Cs were sensitive (0.81 and 0.84, respectively) and specific (0.86 and 0.85, respectively). Their areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were equivalent (0.91, and 0.92, respectively) and slightly higher than for the standard 10-item AUDIT (0.87). A single, sex-specific question about binge drinking (modified AUDIT question 3) had a sensitivity of 0.69 and specificity of 0.94, whereas the standard AUDIT question 3 was specific (0.96) but relatively insensitive (0.45). CONCLUSIONS The standard and sex-specific AUDIT-Cs are effective screening tests for past-year hazardous drinking and/or active alcohol abuse or dependence in female patients in a VA study.