Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dose-dependent regulation of high-density lipoprotein metabolism with rosuvastatin in the metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND Low plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a feature of the metabolic syndrome. Rosuvastatin has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol concentration, but the mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Twelve men with the metabolic syndrome were studied in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of 5-wk therapeutic periods with placebo, 10 mg/d rosuvastatin, or 40 mg/d rosuvastatin, with 2-wk placebo washout between each period. Compared with placebo, there was a significant dose-dependent increase in HDL cholesterol, HDL particle size, and concentration of HDL particles that contain apolipoprotein A-I (LpA-I). The increase in LpA-I concentration was associated with significant dose-dependent reductions in triglyceride concentration and LpA-I fractional catabolic rate, with no changes in LpA-I production rate. There was a significant dose-dependent reduction in the fractional catabolic rate of HDL particles containing both apolipoprotein A-I and A-II (LpA-I:A-II), with concomitant reduction in LpA-I:A-II production rate, and hence no change in LpA-I:A-II concentration. CONCLUSIONS Rosuvastatin dose-dependently increased plasma HDL cholesterol and LpA-I concentrations in the metabolic syndrome. This could relate to reduction in plasma triglycerides with remodeling of HDL particles and reduction in LpA-I fractional catabolism. The findings contribute to understanding mechanisms for the HDL-raising effect of rosuvastatin in the metabolic syndrome with implications for reduction in cardiovascular disease.
Can We Really Discard the Forecasting Ability of Risk-Neutral Distributions?

This paper analyzes the forecasting ability of option-implied Risk-Neutral densities (RNDs) for three US indexes, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 and Russell 2000 and for a long series (from 1996 to 2015) encompassing two major crisis. Traditional tests rely on restrictive assumptions (mainly normality and independence). In order to overcome these assumptions, we calculate block-bootstrap-based critical values. Diﬀerent to existent literature, our results conclude failure to reject their forecasting ability, being these results consistent across diﬀerent forecast horizons, methodologies and indexes considered. We also analyze the ﬁt of the tails of the RNDs separately, ﬁnding that they tend to overestimate the frequency of occurrence of events in the left tail, providing a good ﬁtting for the right tail.
Changes in the Ascorbate System during Seed Development of Vicia faba L.

Large changes occur in the ascorbate system during the development of Vicia faba seed and these appear closely related to what are generally considered to be the three stages of embryogenesis. During the first stage, characterized by embryonic cells with high mitotic activity, the ascorbic acid/dehydroascorbic acid ratio is about 7, whereas in the following stage, characterized by rapid cell elongation (stage 2), it is lower than 1. The different ascorbic/dehydroascorbic ratio may be correlated with the level of ascorbate free radical reductase activity, which is high in stage 1 and lower in stage 2. Ascorbate peroxidase activity is high and remains constant throughout stages 1 and 2, but it decreases when the water content of the seed begins to decline (stage 3). In the dry seed, the enzyme disappears together with ascorbic acid. Ascorbate peroxidase activity is observed to be 10 times higher than that of catalase, suggesting that ascorbate peroxidase, rather than catalase, is utilized in scavenging the H(2)O(2) produced in the cell metabolism. There is no ascorbate oxidase in the seed of V. faba. V. faba seeds acquire the capability to synthesize ascorbic acid only after 30 days from anthesis, i.e. shortly before the onset of seed desiccation. This suggests that (a) the young seed is furnished with ascorbic acid by the parent plant throughout the period of intense growth, and (b) it is necessary for the seed to be endowed with the ascorbic acid biosynthetic system before entering the resting state so that the seed can promptly synthesize the ascorbic acid needed to reestablish metabolic activity when germination starts.
Agent based Control for Microgrids

This paper presents a general framework for the control of distributed energy resources organized in microgrids. The proposed architecture is based on the agent technology and aims to integrate several functionalities, as well to be adaptable to the complexity and the size of the microgrid. To achieve this, the idea of layered learning is used, where the various controls and actions of the agents are grouped depending on their effect on the environment. A novel approach called multiagent reinforcement learning is introduced in order to increase the intelligence and the efficiency of the microgrid.
Performance and Pacing during Cycle Exercise in Hyperthermic and Hypoxic Conditions.

INTRODUCTION This study examined the influence of alterations in maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in mediating performance and pacing during prolonged self-paced exercise. METHODS Twelve well-trained cyclists completed a 750-kJ time trial in temperate (COOL, 18°C), hot (HOT, 35°C), and hypoxic (HYP, 18°C; FiO2, 0.145) conditions, creating models with a stable, progressively decreasing, and acutely decreased V˙O2max, respectively. RESULTS Trial completion was faster in COOL (48.2 ± 5.7 min) compared with HOT (55.4 ± 5.0 min) and HYP (60.1 ± 6.5 min) (P < 0.001), with HOT being faster than HYP (P = 0.028). Core temperature reached 39.0°C ± 0.6°C (COOL), 39.8°C ± 0.5°C (HOT), and 38.5°C ± 0.4°C (HYP; P < 0.01). Power output during COOL was higher than HOT from 40% of work completed onward (P < 0.05) and for the entirety of HYP (P < 0.001), in which it was lower than HOT at 20%-30% (P < 0.05). Normalized power output during COOL and HYP varied by ∼13% and ∼16%, respectively, whereas a ∼27% variation occurred in HOT. V˙O2 in COOL was higher than HOT from 70% onward (P < 0.01) and higher than HYP throughout exercise (P < 0.001). Relative to baseline V˙O2max (%V˙O2max) in normoxia (COOL and HOT) and hypoxia (HYP), %V˙O2max during HOT (78% ± 8%) was lower than COOL (84% ± 7%; P = 0.005) and HYP (87% ± 5%; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Despite an acutely reduced V˙O2max and power output in HYP, pacing and %V˙O2max were similar to COOL. In contrast, the progressive decrease in V˙O2max and power output in HOT resulted in a more variable pacing pattern with %V˙O2max decreasing throughout exercise. These data support the premise that pacing is associated with maintaining an optimal performance intensity, in conjunction with acute and progressive alterations in V˙O2max.
The community services card and utilisation of general practitioner services.

AIMS To examine the relationship between holding a community services card and the utilisation of general practitioner services. METHODS A 1 year retrospective notes review from a random sample of 5637 general practitioner records. RESULTS CSC holders consulted their family doctor an average of 0.9 more times per year than non card holders. The CSC remained a significant predictor (p<0,0001) of consultation rate after controlling for age, gender, high user status and five common chronic conditions. Although holding a CSC had no significant effect on prescribing rate, CSC holders received significantly more prescription items per annum (6.74 items vs 4.89 items). CONCLUSIONS The CSC is a significant predictor of utilisation. The CSC identifies people who use more resources than people who do not hold the card, in terms of number of consultations and number of prescription items per year.
An intermittent running test to estimate maximal oxygen uptake: the Andersen test.

AIM Monitoring of height and weight in children in schools has been discussed to get data on trends in obesity. Physical fitness may be just as important to monitor and a simple reliable test will therefore be important. The aim of this paper was to analyze the association between VO2max measured during maximal work on a treadmill and running distance in an intermittent running test. METHODS Three different groups conducted an intermittent running test VO2max was measured directly during treadmill running. The groups were 27 physical education students (age 20.0-27.0 years), 57 children (age 9.9-11.0 years), and 14 male elite soccer players (age 14.2-15.0 years). RESULTS The reproducibility of the Andersen test was good (r=0.84). Subjects ran 15 m (SD 61 m) longer the second time, but this difference was not significant (P=0.102). The association between running distance in the Andersen test and VO2max measured on the treadmill showed a correlation coefficient of 0.87 in university students, 0.68 in children, and 0.60 in soccer players. For the whole group: VO2max= 18.38 + (0.03301*distance) - (5.92*sex) (boys=0;girls=1) (r=0.84). CONCLUSION The test may provide teachers and health care professionals with an important tool to estimate physical fitness in children and adolescents in a fast, non-expensive and reliable way.
Observer Performance in the Detection and Classification of Malignant Hepatic Nodules and Masses with CT Image-Space Denoising and Iterative Reconstruction.

PURPOSE To determine if lower-dose computed tomographic (CT) scans obtained with adaptive image-based noise reduction (adaptive nonlocal means [ANLM]) or iterative reconstruction (sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction [SAFIRE]) result in reduced observer performance in the detection of malignant hepatic nodules and masses compared with routine-dose scans obtained with filtered back projection (FBP). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board and was compliant with HIPAA. Informed consent was obtained from patients for the retrospective use of medical records for research purposes. CT projection data from 33 abdominal and 27 liver or pancreas CT examinations were collected (median volume CT dose index, 13.8 and 24.0 mGy, respectively). Hepatic malignancy was defined by progression or regression or with histopathologic findings. Lower-dose data were created by using a validated noise insertion method (10.4 mGy for abdominal CT and 14.6 mGy for liver or pancreas CT) and images reconstructed with FBP, ANLM, and SAFIRE. Four readers evaluated routine-dose FBP images and all lower-dose images, circumscribing liver lesions and selecting diagnosis. The jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic figure of merit (FOM) was calculated on a per-malignant nodule or per-mass basis. Noninferiority was defined by the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between lower-dose and routine-dose FOMs being less than -0.10. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients had 62 malignant hepatic nodules and masses. Estimated FOM differences between lower-dose FBP and lower-dose ANLM versus routine-dose FBP were noninferior (difference: -0.041 [95% CI: -0.090, 0.009] and -0.003 [95% CI: -0.052, 0.047], respectively). In patients with dedicated liver scans, lower-dose ANLM images were noninferior (difference: +0.015 [95% CI: -0.077, 0.106]), whereas lower-dose FBP images were not (difference -0.049 [95% CI: -0.140, 0.043]). In 37 patients with SAFIRE reconstructions, the three lower-dose alternatives were found to be noninferior to the routine-dose FBP. CONCLUSION At moderate levels of dose reduction, lower-dose FBP images without ANLM or SAFIRE were noninferior to routine-dose images for abdominal CT but not for liver or pancreas CT.
Relationship between human periodontitis and type 2 diabetes at a genomic level: a data-mining study.

BACKGROUND The leader gene approach is a data-mining method based on the systematic search for the genes involved in a specific process and their ranking according to the interconnections with the other genes identified. The application of this algorithm to human periodontitis gave promising results. The present study used this algorithm to formulate new hypotheses about the association between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes. METHODS The genes involved in a given process were identified via interrelated queries of several databases. The interactions among such genes were mapped and given a significance score. The weighted number of links (sum of weighted scores for every interaction in which a gene is involved) was calculated for each gene. Genes were clustered according to this parameter; those in the highest cluster were termed leader genes. This algorithm was applied to diabetes and sinusitis. Sinusitis was chosen as a control because it is an inflammatory infectious disease like periodontitis. The results were compared to those previously calculated for periodontitis. RESULTS Periodontitis and diabetes share four leader genes; all leader genes are linked in a complex map of interactions. Periodontitis and sinusitis share no leader genes; no interactions were identified. CONCLUSIONS Even with the limitations of ab initio analyses, these theoretical results might suggest the existence of some common genomic pathways between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes, despite the different pathogenesis of these diseases. In particular, the shared leader genes could have an important role in this relationship, which may be investigated further with targeted experimentation.
Renin and angiotensinogen gene expression and intrarenal renin distribution during ACE inhibition.

To define whether intrarenal renin and angiotensinogen synthesis and distribution are affected by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, a control group of adult, male Wistar-Kyoto rats (n = 7) was compared with a group of rats treated with enalapril (n = 8) for 5 days. Kidney renin and angiotensinogen mRNA levels were detected by Northern and dot blot analysis, using full-length rat renin and angiotensinogen cDNAs. Renin mRNA levels in the enalapril-treated group were 4.6-fold higher than in the control group (P less than 0.05). Angiotensinogen mRNA levels were not significantly different. The intrarenal distribution of renin assessed by immunocytochemistry was markedly different between the two groups of rats. Whereas in the control kidney renin was localized in a juxtaglomerular position, in the kidneys from enalapril-treated rats, renin immunoreactivity of the afferent arteriole extended well beyond the juxtaglomerular loci in the direction of the interlobular artery. The percent of afferent arteriolar length immunostained for renin was higher in the enalapril-treated (53 +/- 17%) than in the control (33 +/- 15) group. Similarly, the ratio of immunostained juxtaglomerular apparatuses (JGA) over total number of JGA and the ratio of immunostained arteries over total number of arteries were higher in the enalapril-treated (0.84 +/- 0.017; 0.68 +/- 0.03) than in the control (0.67 +/- 0.034; 0.43 +/- 0.045) group (P less than 0.05). We conclude that chronic ACE inhibition enhances intrarenal renin synthesis and increases renin expression upstream from the glomerulus and in new sites in blood vessels. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Relationship between Poverty, Income Inequality and Unemployment: Evidence from ARDL and Bound Testing Approach

The paper explores the impact of development expenditure, military expenditure, debt, political stability, foreign direct investment and inflation on poverty, income inequality and unemployment in the context of Pakistan. Time series uninterrupted data is used for the period 1980 to 2014. Income inequality is havoc by which income gap increases between rich and poor of society. Pakistan has an alarming situation of income inequality, poverty and unemployment rate as compared to other developing nations. The empirical findings confirm that increase in development expenditure causes a decrease in poverty and unemployment but inequality increases due to capitalism. There is a negative relationship between military expenditure inequality and unemployment. Foreign direct investment decreases inequality and unemployment. Results also show that political stability is responsible for increasing poverty and unemployment.
Prevalence and Cardiovascular Features of Japanese Hemodialysis Patients with Fabry Disease

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare disease and one of the causes of progressive renal dysfunction. It results from an X-linked deficiency of α-galactosidase A activity. It has been reported that its prevalence is much higher in hemodialysis patients than in the general population. However, its prevalence in Japanese hemodialysis patients and cardiovascular manifestations remain unclear. Methods: We screened the α-galactosidase A activity of 1,024 Japanese hemodialysis patients using a dried blood spot test. Patients with a low α-galactosidase A activity were assessed clinically, and a genetic study of the α-galactosidase A gene was performed for these patients. Furthermore, patients with FD underwent detailed cardiovascular examination. Results: Forty-six patients had low α-galactosidase A activity, and 1 man and 2 women had α-galactosidase A mutations (0.29%). All of these patients had a previously identified mutation (E66Q). The result of detailed cardiovascular examination showed that 2 patients had significantly impaired coronary flow reserve, reduced myocardial contraction and relaxation tissue Doppler velocities, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusions: Measurement of the α-galactosidase A activity and the results of a genetic analysis indicated that the prevalence of FD in our hemodialysis patients was 0.29% (0.16% in men and 0.5% in women). Furthermore, comprehensive examination detected cardiovascular abnormalities in Japanese hemodialysis patients with FD.
Is Harberger-Laursen-Metzler Hypothesis valid in Turkey

Purpose- In so far as financial development that supports the supply-side view as well as the country’s competitiveness, a rapid increase in import price index in comparison to the export price index brings forth the deterioration regarding trade. A similar case also exists in Turkey. The aim of the study is to test the relationship between foreign trade balance and terms of trade in Turkey. Methodology- In this study, the monthly data of terms of trade and foreign trade balance for the period 2005: M1 - 2017: M4 are analyzed for Turkey, and the validity of Harberger-Laursen-Metzler Hypothesis is tested. Findings- The deviations in the short run converge to the long-term equilibrium in approximately 6 months period. In addition, considering the normalized long-term relationship, the 1-unit increase in the terms of trade would cause an average increase of $ 321,335 in the estimated dependent variable, namely, the foreign trade balance. Conclusion- There exists a long-term relationship between the variables, namely, terms of trade and foreign trade balance. Moreover, there is a short-term unilateral causality from foreign trade balance to terms of trade.
Nucleosome Remodeling by the Human SWI/SNF Complex Requires Transient Global Disruption of Histone-DNA Interactions

ABSTRACT We utilized a site-specific cross-linking technique to investigate the mechanism of nucleosome remodeling by hSWI/SNF. We found that a single cross-link between H2B and DNA virtually eliminates the accumulation of stably remodeled species as measured by restriction enzyme accessibility assays. However, cross-linking the histone octamer to nucleosomal DNA does not inhibit remodeling as monitored by DNase I digestion assays. Importantly, we found that the restriction enzyme-accessible species can be efficiently cross-linked after remodeling and that the accessible state does not require continued ATP hydrolysis. These results imply that the generation of stable remodeled states requires at least transient disruption of histone-DNA interactions throughout the nucleosome, while hSWI/SNF-catalyzed disruption of just local histone-DNA interactions yields less-stable remodeled states that still display an altered DNase I cleavage pattern. The implications of these results for models of the mechanism of SWI/SNF-catalyzed nucleosome remodeling are discussed.
Understanding the Other through International Professional Teaching Experiences.

Abstract Universities encourage students to undertake international professional experiences (IPEs) so they can add international and intercultural dimensions to their development. This paper adopts a theoretical backdrop of neo-colonialism to investigate the experiences of four Australian pre-service teachers who jointly undertook an IPE in Bandung, Indonesia. Analysis of their journal entries illustrates both how they struggled to make sense of their new cultural and organizational surroundings, and some new insights they gleaned. They were unprepared or under-prepared for the complexities of culture that they encountered. The paper also discusses the potential for IPE delegates to normalize typically ‘Western/Northern’ ways of learning and teaching, and puts forth some recommendations for future IPEs. It aims to prompt discussion on the current and potential value, and possible pitfalls, of such programs.
Effect of pressure on the crystal structure of alpha-glycylglycine to 4.7 GPa; application of Hirshfeld surfaces to analyse contacts on increasing pressure.

The crystal structure of alpha-glycylglycine (alpha-GLYGLY) has been determined at room temperature at pressures between 1.4 and 4.7 GPa. The structure can be considered to consist of layers. The arrangement of molecules within each layer resembles the antiparallel beta-sheet motif observed in proteins, except that in alpha-GLYGLY the motif is constructed through NH.O hydrogen bonds rather than covalent amide links. Compression of alpha-GLYGLY proceeds via the reduction in void sizes. Voids close in such a way as to decrease the distances of stabilizing interactions such as hydrogen bonds and dipolar contacts. The largest reductions in interaction distances tend to occur for those contacts which are longest at ambient pressure. These longer interactions are formed between the beta-sheet-like layers, and the largest component of the strain tensor lies in the same direction. The N.O distance in one NH.O hydrogen bond measures 2.624 (9) angstroms at 4.7 GPa. This is very short for this kind of interaction and the crystal begins to break up above 5.4 GPa, presumably as the result of a phase transition. The changes that occur have been analysed using Hirshfeld surfaces. Changes in the appearance of these surfaces enable rapid assessment of the structural changes that occur on compression.
A sensitive assay of monoamine oxidase activity in vitro: application to heart and sympathetic ganglia.

A sensitive method of measuring monoamine oxidase in vitro based on the rate of indoleacetic acid formation from tryptamine is described. The method is particularly suited for studies on organs with low levels of enzyme activity, e.g., dog heart, or on small samples of tissue, such as a sympathetic ganglion. Correlation of the biochemical and pharmacologic effects of MAO inhibitors in such loci will thereby be facilitated.