Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropometric parameters in screening for excess of adiposity in Argentinian and Spanish adolescents: evaluation using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology

Abstract Background: Various anthropometric parameters have been proposed for defining overweight in adolescence, but few studies have evaluated their diagnostic accuracy in comparative terms, using samples from different regions. Aim: To compare the performance of anthropometric parameters in determining the excess of adiposity in Argentinian and Spanish adolescents. Subjects and methods: The sample is composed of 1781 Argentinian and 1350 Spanish subjects, aged 12–17 years. Excess adiposity was defined as percentage BF in the 90th percentile or higher. ROC curves established the validity of parameters to define excess adiposity. Results: Descriptive statistics showed differences between the Argentinian and Spanish samples. ROC curves indicate that all the parameters analysed had, in the Spanish and Argentinian samples, a positive and elevated association with excess of adiposity. The waist-to-height ratio had the highest value of the area under ROC curve (AUC), while conicity index and waist-to-hip ratio had the lowest. Conclusions: Differences exist with respect to size and body composition between the Argentinian and Spanish samples. ROC curves reflect a general pattern of variation. Waist-to-hip ratio and conicity index are less desirable in the diagnosis of excess adiposity and the most desirable is waist-to-height ratio.
Sensory gating in subjects at ultra high risk for developing a psychosis before and after a first psychotic episode

Abstract Objectives. To explore sensory gating deficits in subjects at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for psychosis before and after transition to a first psychotic episode. Methods. Sensory gating was assessed with the paired click paradigm in 61 UHR subjects, of whom 18 (30%) made a transition to psychosis (UHR + T) over a 3-year follow-up period and 28 matched healthy controls. Subjects were assessed at inclusion and again after approximately 18 months. P50, N100 (N1) and P200 (P2) sensory gating was established using the amplitude on the first (S1) and second (S2) click, the ratio- (S2/S1) and the difference score (S1-S2). Psychopathology was also assessed. Results. At baseline, UHR + T subjects presented smaller N1 difference scores compared to UHR + NT subjects and controls. The N1 difference score contributed modestly to the prediction of a first psychotic episode. Repeated measure analyses revealed smaller N1 and P2 S1 amplitudes, smaller P2 difference scores and larger P2 ratio's at follow-up compared to baseline in UHR + T subjects. Conclusion. The N1 difference score may be helpful in predicting a first psychosis. N1 and P2 sensory gating measures also showed alterations between the prodromal phase and the first psychosis, suggesting that these changes may relate to the onset of a frank psychotic episode.
Down‐regulation of drs mRNA in human colon adenocarcinomas

We have previously reported that the drs gene, whose mRNA expression is down‐regulated by retroviral oncogenes such as v‐src and v‐K‐ras, has the ability to suppress transformation by v‐src and v‐K‐ras in the rat cell line F2408. We have also isolated a human homolog of this gene (h‐drs) and shown that expression of h‐drs mRNA is markedly reduced in a variety of human cancer cell lines, including those of carcinomas of the colon, bladder, and ovary, suggesting that down‐regulation of drs mRNA is correlated with the development of human cancers. To clarify the correlation between down‐regulation of the drs gene and malignant tumor formation in human cancer tissues, we examined expression of drs mRNA in human normal tissues, colon adenoma, and adenocarcinoma tissues by in situ hybridization. Expression of drs mRNA was detected in most normal tissues tested, including those of the colon, bladder, and ovary. However, drs mRNA was hardly expressed in any of the colon adenocarcinoma tissues examined. Northern blot analyses confirmed these results. Neither gross deletion nor re‐arrangement of the drs genome was detected by Southern blot hybridization in these adenocarcinoma tissues. drs mRNA was significantly expressed in colon adenoma with mild atypia but down‐regulated in adenomas with moderate atypia and focal carcinoma. Our results indicate that down‐regulation of drs mRNA is closely correlated with development of colon adenocarcinoma, suggesting a tumor‐suppressor function of the drs gene in human cancers. Int. J. Cancer 87:5–11, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The diurnal rhythm of hypocretin in young and old F344 rats.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Hypocretins (HCRT-1 and HCRT-2), also known as orexins, are neuropeptides localized in neurons surrounding the perifornical region of the posterior hypothalamus. These neurons project to major arousal centers in the brain and are implicated in regulating wakefulness. In young rats and monkeys, levels of HCRT-1 are highest at the end of the wake-active period and lowest toward the end of the sleep period. However, the effects of age on the diurnal rhythm of HCRT-1 are not known. DESIGN To provide such data, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from the cisterna magna of young (2-month-old, n = 9), middle-aged (12 months, n = 10), and old (24 months, n = 10) F344 rats at 4-hour intervals, (beginning at zeitgeber [ZT]0, lights on). CSF was collected once from each rat every 4 days at 1 ZT point. After collecting the CSF at all of the time points, the rats were kept awake by gentle handling for 8 hours (ZT 0-ZT8), and the CSF was collected again at the end of the sleep-deprivation procedure. HCRT-1 levels in the CSF were determined by radioimmunoassay SETTINGS Basic neuroscience research lab. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Old rats had significantly less HCRT-1 in the CSF versus young and middle-aged rats (P < .002) during the lights-on and lights-off periods and over the 24-hour period. In old rats, significantly low levels of HCRT-1 were evident at the end of the lights-off period (predominantly wake-active period). The old rats continued to have less HCRT-1 even after 8 hours of prolonged waking. Northern blot analysis did not show a difference in pre-proHCRT mRNA between age groups. CONCLUSIONS In old rats there is a 10% decline in CSF HCRT-1 over the 24-hour period. Functionally, if there is less HCRT-1, which our findings indicated, and there is also a decline in HCRT receptor mRNA, as has been previously found, then the overall consequence would be diminished action of HCRT at target sites. This would diminish the waking drive, which in the elderly could contribute to the increased tendency to fall asleep during the normal wake period.
Chondrogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Different therapeutic techniques have been developed for regeneration of articular cartilage injuries, but none has provided an optimal solution to their treatment. Human umbilical cord blood‐mesenchymal Stem Cells (HUCB‐MSCs) have been considered as promising alternative cell source for cartilage repair. Objectives: Examining the success rate of MSCs isolation from HUCB as well as chondrogenic differentiation potential of HUCB‐MSCs in vitro. Materials and methods: 32 UCB samples were collected, in addition to 5 bone marrow (BM) and 5 peripheral blood (PB) samples, taken as reference controls. Samples were used for mononuclear cells isolation from which MSCs were expanded under complete aseptic conditions, were verified morphologically and through the presence of CD44 and CD105, and absence of CD34. Results: Success rate of UCB‐MSCs isolation was (25%), a rate that was lower than those of PB (40%) and BM (80%). Accordingly, certain input parameters have been recommended for successful MSCs isolation from UCB. On selecting samples in which recommended parameters were fulfilled, success rate was increased to 72%. This was together with providing optimal experiment conditions; mainly type of expansion medium, success rate reached 80%. Then, successfully expanded MSCs were subjected to chondrogenic differentiation by culturing in pelleted micromass system in presence of transforming growth factor beta‐1 and chondrogenic medium devoid of fetal bovine serum to evaluate their ability to undergo chondrogenesis. Differentiation was verified microscopically using special stains, and proved by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction for expression of aggrecan and collagen II genes. In conclusion, in vitro differentiation into chondrocytes is possible from HUCB‐MSCs. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:667–675, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resident Work Hour Limits and Patient Safety

Objective:This study evaluates the effect of resident physician work hour limits on surgical patient safety. Background:Resident work hour limits have been enforced in New York State since 1998 and nationwide from 2003. A primary assumption of these limits is that these changes will improve patient safety. We examined effects of this policy in New York on standardized surgical Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs). Methods:An interrupted time series analysis was performed using 1995 to 2001 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data. The intervention studied was resident work hour limit enforcement in New York teaching hospitals. PSIs included rates of accidental puncture or laceration (APL), postoperative pulmonary embolus or deep venous thrombosis (PEDVT), foreign body left during procedure (FB), iatrogenic pneumothorax (PTX), and postoperative wound dehiscence (WD). PSI trends were compared pre- versus postintervention in New York teaching hospitals and in 2 control groups: New York nonteaching hospitals and California teaching hospitals. Results:A mean of 2.6 million New York discharges per year wereanalyzed with cumulative events of 33,756 (APL), 36,970 (PEDVT), 1,447 (FB), 10,727 (PTX), and 2,520 (WD). Increased rates over time (expressed per 1000 discharges each quarter) were observed in both APL (0.15, 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.20, P<0.05) and PEDVT (0.43, 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.83, P<0.05) after policy enforcement in New York teaching hospitals. No changes were observed in either control group for these events or New York teaching hospital rates of FB, PTX, or WD. Conclusions:Resident work hour limits in New York teaching hospitals were not associated with improvements in surgical patient safety measures, with worsening trends observed in APL and PEDVT corresponding with enforcement.
Determination of pesticides residues in food of vegetal origin : sample preparation , chromatographic techniques and applications

The determination of pesticide residues in trace levels contained in complex matrices, such as food, often requires extensive sample preparation including extraction and/or clean-up followed by instrumental analysis. The development of reliable, accurate, selective and sensitive analytical methods for the simultaneous determination of more than one residue in a simple analysis is crucial and essential. This review presents the techniques that have been developed and are applied all over the world for the qualitative and quantitative determination of pesticides in fruit and vegetable samples. Advantages and difficulties occurring at each stage of the analytical procedure are also
Prevention of Sternal Wound Infection in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Background: Sternal wound infections (SWIs) are a costly complication for children after cardiac surgery, increasing morbidity, mortality, and financial cost. There are no pediatric guidelines to reduce the incidence of SWI in this vulnerable population. Methods: A quality improvement, multidisciplinary team was formed, and a protocol to prevent SWI was developed. A prospective review of patients who underwent pediatric cardiac surgery was conducted over a two-year period to follow adherence to the protocol and incidence of SWI. The Centers for Disease Control definitions for surgical site infections were used to determine the depth and presence of infection. Results: Three hundred and eight children <18 years of age had sternotomies during the study period. There was a reduction in all SWI between the first and second years of the study (odds ratio [OR] = 0.35; confidence interval [CI] 95% 0.12-1.01; P = .059). Delayed sternal closure (DSC) was associated with increased risk of SWI (OR = 5.4; CI 95% 2.13-14.9; P ≤ .001). Institution of a protocol in patients with DSC was associated with decreased infections during the second year (first year: n = 7 (14%), second year: n = 2 (4%), P = . 14). Conclusions: Institution of a protocol was associated with a decreased number of infections in children. A multicenter study of a bundled protocol approach to SWI prevention is needed. Children with DSC had a significantly higher risk of developing a wound infection. Initiating strategies to reduce SWI with a focus on children with DSC may result in improved overall infection rates.
Wnt signals provide a timing mechanism for the FGF-retinoid differentiation switch during vertebrate body axis extension

Differentiation onset in the vertebrate body axis is controlled by a conserved switch from fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to retinoid signalling, which is also apparent in the extending limb and aberrant in many cancer cell lines. FGF protects tail-end stem zone cells from precocious differentiation by inhibiting retinoid synthesis, whereas later-produced retinoic acid (RA) attenuates FGF signalling and drives differentiation. The timing of RA production is therefore crucial for the preservation of stem zone cells and the continued extension of the body axis. Here we show that canonical Wnt signalling mediates the transition from FGF to retinoid signalling in the newly generated chick body axis. FGF promotes Wnt8c expression, which persists in the neuroepithelium as FGF signalling declines. Wnt signals then act here to repress neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, although FGF inhibition of neuronal differentiation involves repression of the RA-responsive gene, retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ), Wnt signals are weaker repressors of neuron production and do not interfere with RA signal transduction. Strikingly, as FGF signals decline in the extending axis, Wnt signals now elicit RA synthesis in neighbouring presomitic mesoderm. This study identifies a directional signalling relay that leads from FGF to retinoid signalling and demonstrates that Wnt signals serve, as cells leave the stem zone, to permit and promote RA activity, providing a mechanism to control the timing of the FGF-RA differentiation switch.
Synergies during reach-to-grasp: A comparative study between healthy and C6–C7 quadriplegic subjects

Analysis of functional capacities modifications after spinal cord injuries may have an interest in clinical rehabilitation programs. In this framework, this study is focused on the analysis of motor synergies i.e. how the upper-limb degrees of freedom (DOFS) are organized when considering C6–C7 quadriplegic subjects performing a reaching task. A previous work has shown that sharing patterns between DOFS are preserved. Using the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis (UCM), we investigate the second aspect of motor synergies i.e. how performance is allowed to show both stability against perturbations and flexibility to solve concurrent tasks. This procedure allows to evaluate the stabilization of a specific and selective performance variable through the variability of joint angles. In the present study, the wrist 3D path was considered and the variability of its trajectory is decomposed into two parts: one which does not affect the value of this performance variable (goal equivalent variance or GEV) and one which does (non goal equivalent variance or NGEV). Results showed that quadriplegic subjects present the same variance decomposition than healthy subjects suggesting that, despite the motor deficiency, flexibility is still allowed during movement execution.
Using a rhabdomyosarcoma patient‐derived xenograft to examine precision medicine approaches and model acquired resistance

Precision (Personalized) medicine has the potential to revolutionize patient health care especially for many cancers where the fundamental disease etiology remains either elusive or has no available therapy. Here we outline a study in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, in which we use gene expression profiling and a series of drug prediction algorithms combined with a matched patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) model to test bioinformatically predicted therapies.
Capturing campaign dynamics, 2000 and 2004 : the national Annenberg election survey

Preface Chapter 1: Why the National Annenberg Election Survey? -Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Kate Kenski Chapter 2: NAES Datasets, Survey Procedures, and Content -Kenneth Winneg, Kate Kenski, and Christopher Adasiewicz Chapter 3: Research Design Concepts for the Rolling Cross-Section Approach -Kate Kenski Chapter 4: The Rolling Cross-Section Design -Kate Kenski Chapter 5: Exploratory Analysis -Natalie Jomini Stroud and Daniel Romer Chapter 6: Visualizing Data Across the Campaign -Kate Kenski Chapter 7: Linear and Logistic Regression Models for Cross-Sectional Analyses -Daniel Romer Chapter 8: Analysis of Panel Data -Kate Kenski and Daniel Romer Chapter 9: Time Series Models -Daniel Romer Chapter 10: The Power of Numbers: Examining Subpopulations with the NAES -Dannagal Goldthwaite Young, Russell Tisinger, Kate Kenski, and Daniel Romer
Serum levels of uncoupling proteins in patients with differential insulin resistance

Abstract The uncoupling protein (UCP) belongs to a family of energy-dissipating proteins in mitochondria. Increasing evidences have indicated that UCPs have immense impact on glucose homeostasis and are key proteins in metabolic syndrome. For applying the findings to clinical practice, we designed a study to explore the association between serum UCPs 1–3 and insulin resistance. This investigation prospectively recorded demographical parameter and collected blood samples of 1071 participants from 4 districts in Northeastern Taiwan during the period from August 2013 to July 2014. Propensity score matching by age and sex in patients with top and bottom third homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels was performed, and 326 subjects were enrolled for further studies. The mean age of the patients was 59.4 years and the majority of them (65.5%) were females. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 35.5%. Our results demonstrated that serum UCPs 1–3 were significantly associated with differences in HOMA-IR levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that low UCP 1 and features of metabolic syndrome, namely hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, and high-density lipoprotein, were independent determinants for high HOMA-IR levels. We thus determined that low serum UCP 1 is a predictor for high resistance to insulin.
Release of GPI‐anchored membrane proteins by a cell‐associated GPI‐specific phospholipase D.

Although many glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins have been observed as soluble forms, the mechanisms by which they are released from the cell surface have not been demonstrated. We show here that a cell‐associated GPI‐specific phospholipase D (GPI‐PLD) releases the GPI‐anchored, complement regulatory protein decay‐accelerating factor (DAF) from HeLa cells, as well as the basic fibroblast growth factor‐binding heparan sulfate proteoglycan from bone marrow stromal cells. DAF found in the HeLa cell culture supernatants contained both [3H]ethanolamine and [3H]inositol, but not [3H]palmitic acid, whereas the soluble heparan sulfate proteoglycan present in bone marrow stromal cell culture supernatants contained [3H]ethanolamine. 125I‐labeled GPI‐DAF incorporated into the plasma membranes of these two cell types was released in a soluble form lacking the fatty acid GPI‐anchor component. GPI‐PLD activity was detected in lysates of both HeLa and bone marrow stromal cells. Treatment of HeLa cells with 1,10‐phenanthroline, an inhibitor of GPI‐PLD, reduced the release of [3H]ethanolamine‐DAF by 70%. The hydrolysis of these GPI‐anchored molecules is likely to be mediated by an endogenous GPI‐PLD because [3H]ethanolamine DAF is constitutively released from HeLa cells maintained in serum‐free medium. Furthermore, using PCR, a GPI‐PLD mRNA has been identified in cDNA libraries prepared from both cell types. These studies are the first demonstration of the physiologically relevant release of GPI‐anchored proteins from cells by a GPI‐PLD.
The distribution of costs of care in mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives: To delineate the costs of care of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and respiratory failure and to compare them with those of other mechanically ventilated patients. Design: A post hoc analysis of a prospective investigation. Setting: Medical and coronary intensive care units (ICUs) of an 804‐bed, university‐based hospital. Patients: A total of 300 mechanically ventilated patients, 44 with COPD and 256 others, were included. Measurements and Main Results: Despite similar lengths of ICU stay (9 days) and mechanical ventilation (5.5 days COPD vs. 5 days other, p = .11), ICU respiratory care costs for patients with COPD were $2,422 ($1,157‐$6,110) [median U.S. dollars (interquartile range)] vs. $1,580 ($738‐$3,322) for the others (p = .01). Ventilator costs for COPD patients were $1,795 ($943‐$5,782) vs. $1,574 ($613‐$3,112) (p = .12). Total hospitalization respiratory care costs for COPD patients were higher, $4,064 ($2,422‐$9,572) vs. $2,342 ($1,186‐$4,591), (p = .0001), and 74.4% of the median difference in cost between COPD patients and others was accounted for by spontaneous nebulizers (p = .001), metered dose inhalers (p = .01), and pulse oximetry (p = .02). By using multiple linear regression analyses, we found that COPD remained associated with higher respiratory costs (p < .05). Respiratory Care was the third largest category of hospital costs after beds (27%) and pharmacy expenses (25%), and it comprised ∼14% of total cost. Total hospital costs were large for both groups, but did not differ between COPD and the others [$24,217 ($16,211‐$58,834) vs. $27,672 ($15,692‐$53,766), respectively (p = .96)]. Linear regression analyses showed that only Acute Lung Injury score was significantly related to total ICU and hospital costs of care (p < .05). Conclusions: Costs of ICU and non‐ICU respiratory care for patients with COPD are higher than costs of care for other mechanically ventilated patients. Although the increased cost of bronchodilators and oximetry in these patients may serve as target areas for reductions in respiratory care costs, it may also be true that these modalities of therapy and management are necessary and need to be used with even greater intensity to achieve better outcomes. The predominant contributions of bed and pharmacy costs in all of our patients with respiratory failure support research efforts addressing these aspects of care.