Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Locomotion Mode Affects the Physiological Strain during Exercise at Walk-Run Transition Speed inElderly Men

Abstract This study investigated cardiorespiratory responses and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during prolonged walking and running exercise performed at the walk-run transition speed (WRTS) in untrained healthy elderly men. 20 volunteers (mean±SE, age: 68.4±1.2 yrs; height: 170.0±0.02 cm; body mass: 74.7±2.3 kg) performed the following bouts of exercise: a) maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET); b) specific protocol to detect WRTS; and c) two 30-min walking and running bouts at WRTS. Expired gases were collected during exercise bouts via the Ultima CardiO2 metabolic analyzer. Compared to walking, running at the WRTS resulted in higher oxygen uptake (>0.27 L·min−1), pulmonary ventilation (>7.7 L·min−1), carbon dioxide output (>0.23 L·min−1), heart rate (>15 beats·min−1), oxygen pulse (>0.88 15 mL·beats−1), energy expenditure (>27 kcal) and cost of oxygen transport (>43 mL·kg−1·km−1·bout−1). The increase of overall and local RPEs with exercise duration was similar across locomotion modes (P<0.001). In all participants, %HRR and %VO2R throughout walking and running bouts were around or above the gas exchange threshold. In conclusion, elderly men exhibited higher cardiorespiratory responses during 30-min bouts of running than walking at WRTS. Nevertheless, walking corresponded to relative metabolic intensities compatible with preservation or improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness and should be preferable over running at WRTS in the untrained elderly characterized by poor fitness and reduced exercise tolerance.
Live-donor liver transplantation for acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

Background. The survival results of patients demonstrating acute-on-chronic liver failure and undergoing live-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have been reported to be poor. This study evaluates the survival outcomes of patients who underwent LDLT using right-lobe liver grafts for acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Methods. The study comprised 32 patients who demonstrated acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure with mean (± standard error of mean) Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores of 36±1.8. The mean preoperative intensive care unit stay was 2.4 days. LDLT using a right-lobe liver graft including the middle hepatic vein was performed in all patients. Oral lamivudine 100 mg daily was used for hepatitis B prophylaxis. Results. The patients received liver grafts that were 52%±2% of the estimated standard liver weight. Hospital mortality occurred in two patients, and two other patients died on follow-up. At a median follow-up of 23 months, both patient and graft survival rates were 88%. The survival results were not different from those of 49 patients who underwent right-lobe LDLT for elective conditions during the same study period (graft survival=82%, P =0.55; patient survival=84%, P =0.75). Two (6.3%) patients developed hepatitis B virus DNA breakthrough 47 and 53 months, respectively, after transplantation, but they remained well after treatment with adefovir. Conclusion. Right-lobe LDLT is an effective therapeutic option for patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. It results in satisfactory survival outcomes comparable to those in patients undergoing LDLT for elective conditions.
Profiling cancer-associated genetic alterations and molecular classification of cancer in Korean gastric cancer patients

Recently, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network and Asian Cancer Research Group provided a new classification of gastric cancer (GC) to aid the development of biomarkers for targeted therapy and predict prognosis. We studied associations between genetically aberrant profiles of cancer-related genes, environmental factors, and histopathological features in 107 paired gastric tumor-non-tumor tissue GC samples. 6.5% of our GC cases were classified as the EBV subtype, 17.8% as the MSI subtype, 43.0% as the CIN subtype, and 32.7% as the GS subtype. The distribution of four GC subgroups based on the TCGA and our dataset were similar. The MSI subtype showed a hyper-mutated status and the best prognosis among molecular subtype. However, molecular classification based on the four GC subtypes showed no significant survival differences in terms of overall survival (p= 0.548) or relapse-free survival (RFS, p=0.518). The P619fs*43 in ZBTB20 was limited to MSI group (n= 5/19, 26.3%), showing similar trends observed in TCGA dataset. Genetic alterations of the RTK/RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways were detected in 34.6% of GC cases (37 individual cases). We also found two cases with likely pathogenic variants (NM_004360.4: c. 2494 G>A, p.V832M) in the CDH1 gene. Here, we classified molecular subtypes of GC according to the TCGA system and provide a critical starting point for the design of more appropriate clinical trials based on a comprehensive analysis of genetic alterations in Korean GC patients.
Assessing Mediational Models: Testing and Interval Estimation for Indirect Effects

Theoretical models specifying indirect or mediated effects are common in the social sciences. An indirect effect exists when an independent variable's influence on the dependent variable is mediated through an intervening variable. Classic approaches to assessing such mediational hypotheses (Baron & Kenny, 1986; Sobel, 1982) have in recent years been supplemented by computationally intensive methods such as bootstrapping, the distribution of the product methods, and hierarchical Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. These different approaches for assessing mediation are illustrated using data from Dunn, Biesanz, Human, and Finn (2007). However, little is known about how these methods perform relative to each other, particularly in more challenging situations, such as with data that are incomplete and/or nonnormal. This article presents an extensive Monte Carlo simulation evaluating a host of approaches for assessing mediation. We examine Type I error rates, power, and coverage. We study normal and nonnormal data as well as complete and incomplete data. In addition, we adapt a method, recently proposed in statistical literature, that does not rely on confidence intervals (CIs) to test the null hypothesis of no indirect effect. The results suggest that the new inferential method—the partial posterior p value—slightly outperforms existing ones in terms of maintaining Type I error rates while maximizing power, especially with incomplete data. Among confidence interval approaches, the bias-corrected accelerated (BC a ) bootstrapping approach often has inflated Type I error rates and inconsistent coverage and is not recommended; In contrast, the bootstrapped percentile confidence interval and the hierarchical Bayesian MCMC method perform best overall, maintaining Type I error rates, exhibiting reasonable power, and producing stable and accurate coverage rates.
Why do People Buy Virtual Goods? A Literature Review

This paper reviews quantitative literature that addresses the questions of what explains why people buy virtual goods. The study reviews independent and dependent variables, path coefficients, used methodologies, theoretical backgrounds as well as types of services covered in the relevant literature. The goal of the paper is both to provide an overview to the literature and to investigate reasons for virtual good purchase. The results in the body of literature reveal that, for example, purchase behavior is most strongly driven by how satisfied people are with the use of virtual goods and whether they have a positive attitude towards using real money in virtual environments. Moreover, people seem to purchase virtual goods in order to give a favorable image of themselves. Furthermore, interestingly the enjoyment of using the platform where the virtual goods are sold in does not predict virtual good purchases.
Distributed evaluation of XPath queries over large integrated XML data

XML is a widespread, text-based format used for exchanging information on the Web and representing metadata. Since the amount of XML information is rapidly increasing, efficient querying of large data repositories, containing XML data, is a significant challenge faced by system designers and data analysts who need to support operational actions and decision-making. In this paper we propose a technique for integrating large amount of XML data and use the Map-Reduce framework to efficiently query the integrated data. Each XML document obtained from the sources is transformed properly in order to fit into a predefined, virtual XML structure. Although the transformed documents are not physically integrated, the user is able to pose queries over a single XML structure. To achieve this feature we propose a single-step, Map-Reduce algorithm which takes advantage of virtual structure and computes efficiently the answer of a given XPath queries in a distributed manner.
The Influence of Government Benefits and Taxes on Rates of Chronic and Transient Poverty in the United States

This study examines the influence of social welfare and tax policies on rates of chronic and transient poverty in the United States for the full population and subgroups. I use longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (n = 10,210) over a recent 11-year time frame (1998–2008), with individuals categorized as poor using the Supplemental Poverty Measure. Results show that including government transfers in family resources reduces the overall transient poverty rate by more than one-sixth and the chronic poverty rate by nearly four-fifths, with a greater influence on the chronic rate in part because some individuals shift from chronic into transient poverty. Income and payroll tax liabilities have negligible influence on poverty rates net of tax credits. Medical expenses are largely associated with an increase in the transient poverty rate. Results imply that there is value to examining the effects of social policy on poverty from more than just the traditional cross-sectional perspective.
Normative SF-36 values in competing NCAA intercollegiate athletes differ from values in the general population.

BACKGROUND The Short Form-36 (SF-36) is a valid and reliable generic indicator of health status. The scoring distributions for the general and specific populations have been extensively reported in the literature and vary according to age, gender, the type and severity of a medical condition, and socioeconomic status. However, normative data pertaining specifically to athletic populations are limited. The purpose of the present study was to establish SF-36 reference norms for athletes cleared for participation in intercollegiate sports. METHODS Six hundred and ninety-six United States National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I and II student athletes who had been cleared for participation in intercollegiate sports completed the self-administered form of the SF-36 at the time of pre-participation evaluations. Demographic information and history of injuries were also recorded. RESULTS Compared with the general population and an age-matched sample of the general population, the athletes scored significantly higher in all health domains (p < 0.01) except for bodily pain (p = 0.05). Among the athletes, men scored significantly higher than women in the general health domain only (p = 0.0006). Athletes with no reported history of injury scored significantly higher than those with previous injuries in all health domains, except in role limitations due to emotional problems. CONCLUSIONS Intercollegiate athletes cleared for participation reported significantly higher SF-36 scores in comparison with a similarly aged sample of the general population. These normative values are important in the evaluation of health status of intercollegiate athletes before and after intervention.
The Rsp5 Ubiquitin Ligase Binds to and Ubiquitinates Members of the Yeast CIN85-Endophilin Complex, Sla1-Rvs167*

Sla1 and Rvs167 are yeast proteins required for receptor internalization and organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Here we provide evidence that Sla1 and Rvs167 are orthologues of the mammalian CIN85 and endophilin proteins, respectively, which are required for ligand-stimulated growth factor receptor internalization. Sla1 is similar in domain structure to CIN85 and binds directly to the endophilin-like Rvs167. Akin to CIN85, Sla1 interacts with synaptojanins and a ubiquitin ligase that regulates endocytosis. This ubiquitin ligase, Rsp5, binds directly to both Sla1 and Rvs167. The interaction between Rsp5 and Rvs167 is mediated through Rsp5 WW domains and PXY motifs in the central Gly-Pro-Ala-rich domain of Rvs167. Rvs167 PXY motifs are required for Rsp5-dependent monoubiquitination of Rvs167 on Lys481 in the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. Mutation of Lys481 → Arg causes cells to grow slowly on medium containing 1 m NaCl, although this phenotype is not due to the defect in ubiquitination caused by the K481R mutation. We propose that Rsp5 interaction with Sla1-Rvs167 promotes Rvs167 ubiquitination and regulates activity of this protein complex. Rvs167 ubiquitination is not required for general function of Rvs167, but may control specific Rvs167 SH3 domain-protein interactions or negatively regulate SH3 domain activity.
Is rimonabant efficacious and safe in the treatment of obesity?

Background: The incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and in the USA approximately 100 million adults are overweight or obese. Orlistat and sibutramine are the drugs used at present for weight loss, but they both have a relatively modest effect. Objectives/methods: This evaluation is of the Rimonabant in Obesity (RIO) programme of clinical trials, and of the first trial to determine whether rimonabant has any effect on a clinical outcome. The Strategy to Reduce Atherosclerosis Development Involving Administration of Rimonabant – the Intravascular Ultrasound Study (STRADIVARIUS) determined whether treatment with rimonabant decreased atherosclerosis. Results: The individual trials of the RIO programme showed that rimonabant 20 mg caused body weight loss, and also caused small decreases in waist circumference, plasma triglycerides and fasting glucose levels, and the incidence of the metabolic syndrome, while increasing levels of HDL cholesterol. Gastrointestinal side effects were the most common reported in the individual trials. However, when the five trials were combined, a small but significant increase in the incidence of depression and anxiety became apparent with rimonabant 20 mg. STRADIVARIUS showed that rimonabant 20 mg had no effect on atherosclerosis that was not progressing in subjects who were mostly also taking antithrombotic agents, statins, β-blockers and angiotensin inhibitors. Conclusions: At present, it is doubtful whether the benefits of rimonabant outweigh the risks. Unless rimonabant is shown to have benefits in ongoing clinical outcome studies, there is little rationale to support its use in the treatment of obesity.
Can ASA grade or Goldman's cardiac risk index predict peri‐operative mortality? A study of 16 227 patients

This trial was designed to study the correlation between peri‐operative mortality in patients undergoing elective surgery and the physical status classification of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Goldman multifactorial cardiac risk index or the two indices combined. All patients scheduled for elective surgery over a 5‐year period were evaluated pre‐operatively and were scored according to both indices. Of 16 227 patients studied, 215 died within 4 weeks of operation. Both indices correlated significantly with peri‐operative mortality, the ASA grade showing a closer correlation. A regression tree analysis divided the combination groups into five subgroups where the mortality was lowest (0.4%) in ASA grade ≤2 and cardiac risk index group I (score 0–5 points) and increased up to 7.3% in ASA grade = 4 and cardiac risk index group ≥3 (score >13 points). We conclude that for this large number of patients peri‐operative mortality can be predicted with the ASA grade and, to a lesser degree, with the cardiac risk index. Applied in the correct way, the combination of the two scores can increase the accuracy of prediction of peri‐operative mortality.
Highly Divergent Actins from Karyorelictean, Heterotrich, and Litostome Ciliates1

Abstract We have cloned, sequenced, and characterized cDNA of actins from five ciliate species of three different classes of the phylum Ciliophora: Karyorelictea (Loxodes striatus), Heterotrichea (Blepharisma japonicum, Blepharisma musculus), and Litostomatea (Didinium nasutum, Dileptus margaritifer). Loxodes striatus uses UGA as the stop codon and has numerous in-frame UAA and UAG, which are translated into glutamine. The other four species use UAA as the stop codon and have no in-frame UAG nor UGA. The putative amino acid sequences of the newly determined actin genes were found to be highly divergent as expected from previous findings of other ciliate actins. These sequences were also highly divergent from other ciliate actins, indicating that actin genes are highly diverse even within the phylum Ciliophora. Phylogenetic analysis showed high evolutionary rate of ciliate actins. Our results suggest that the evolutionary rate was accelerated because of the differences in molecular interactions.
RNA Sequencing Reveals that Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disruption of Membrane Integrity Underlie Dimethyl Trisulfide Toxicity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4

Fusarium wilt of banana, a destructive disease that affects banana production, is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). In a previous study, we confirmed the strong inhibitory effects of Chinese leek (Allium tuberosum) on the incidence of this disease. Sulfur compounds are the primary antifungal constituents of Chinese leek. Among these, dimethyl trisulfide (DT) was the most abundant and exhibited the strongest inhibition of Foc TR4 growth and development. In the present study, the global gene expression profiles of Foc TR4 isolates treated with DT at 4,000-folds dilution (concentration of 1/4,000, v/v) for 1.5, 6, and 12 h were investigated by using RNA sequencing. The expression patterns of 15 DEGs were validated based on quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Untreated sample presented 2,556, 1,691, and 1,150 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 1.5, 6, and 12 h after the onset of the experiment, respectively, whereas DT-treated isolates presented 2,823, 3,546, and 6,197 DEGs. Based on Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, DEGs involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), glycosylation, and steroid biosynthesis were significantly inhibited by DT exposure. The similar expressional patterns of 15 DEGs between RNA-seq and qRT-PCR assays indicated the reliability of the RNA-seq data. In conclusion, ER stress related to glycosylation inhibition and damage to cell membrane integrity might contribute to the toxicity of DT against Foc TR4. As the results presented here evidenced changes in gene expression associated with DT exposure, which might be used to develop new approaches for controlling FWB.
Chemical Bonding in Polyethylene−Nanotube Composites: A Quantum Mechanics Prediction

To make full use of the strength of carbon nanotubes in a composite, it is important to have a high-stress transfer at the matrix−nanotube interface via strong chemical bonding. This paper investigates the possible polyethylene−nanotube bonding with the aid of a quantum mechanics analysis. The polyethylene chains were represented by alkyl segments, and the nanotubes were modeled by nanotube segments with H atoms added to the dangling bonds of the perimeter carbons. The study predicts that covalent bonding between an alkyl radical and a nanotube is energetically favorable, and that the tubes of smaller diameters have higher binding energies. Hence, a high-stress transfer can be realized in polyethylene-based carbon nanotube composites in the presence of free-radical generators.
Knee arthroplasty in octogenarians: results at 10 years.

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in octogenarians. Between 1976 and 1989, 1 surgeon at our institution performed 110 TKAs in 90 patients who were 80 years of age or older. No patients were lost to follow-up monitoring; all living patients underwent a minimum of 10 years (range, 10-19 years) followup care. There were 5 (3.4%) surgical complications, but at final follow-up examination, no implants had failed because of aseptic loosening. Of all patients, 96% experienced complete pain relief and 91% showed an excellent knee score (> or = 85) at final follow-up examination. Only 14% of patients had an excellent function score. The 88% death rate for our patient population, the fact that only 14% of patients had an excellent function score after surgery, and the lack of aseptic implant failure by the time of final follow-up examination after an average of 8 years with a conventional TKA raise the question of whether using expensive newer-design implants cost-effectiveness is in octogenarians.
Camptothecin derivatives induce regression of human ovarian carcinomas grown in nude mice and distinguish between non‐tumorigenic and tumorigenic cells in vitro

We have recently shown that the plant alkaloid 20(S)‐camptothecin and its derivatives 9‐nitro‐20(S)‐camptothecin(9NC) and 9‐amino‐2O(S)‐camptothecin(9AC) inhibit the growth of a variety of human tumors xenografted in nude mice. In this report, we demonstrate that 9NC and 9AC effectively inhibit growth, and subsequently induce regression, of human ovarian tumors grown in nude mice. Tumor regression is accompanied by degenerative changes in the tumor cells as assessed by microscopic observations of histological sections prepared from the tumors. Parallel experiments in vitro show that 9NC inhibits in a similar manner the growth of human ovarian carcinoma cells, regardless of their ability to induce tumors when xenografted in nude mice, and induces similar morphological changes in both non‐tumorigenic and tumorigenic cells, as assessed by microscopic observation. Flow cytometry studies show that 9NC‐induced growth inhibition of the non‐tumorigenic cells is associated with accumulation of these cells in G2. In contrast, 9NC‐induced growth inhibition of the tumorigenic cells is associated with the generation of cells containing a reduced DNA content, that is, cells programmed to die. In conclusion, camptothecins appear to be cytostatic for non‐tumorigenic, but cytotoxic for tumorigenic cells, an important finding from viewpoints of cell biology, pharmacology and cancer chemotherapy.