Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of progesterone receptor and ovarian cancer risk: A systemic review and meta‐analysis

Growing bodies of studies have investigated the associations between three progesterone receptor (PGR) polymorphisms, +331G/A, Alu insertion and Val660Leu, and susceptibility to ovarian cancer, but the results remain controversial and inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the associations.
Detection of Mutations Affecting Heterogeneously Expressed Phenotypes by Colony Immunoblot and Dedicated Semi-Automated Image Analysis Pipeline

To understand how bacteria evolve and adapt to their environment, it can be relevant to monitor phenotypic changes that occur in a population. Single cell level analyses and sorting of mutant cells according to a particular phenotypic readout can constitute efficient strategies. However, when the phenotype of interest is expressed heterogeneously in ancestral isogenic populations of cells, single cell level sorting approaches are not optimal. Phenotypic heterogeneity can for instance make no-expression mutant cells indistinguishable from a subpopulation of wild-type cells transiently not expressing the phenotype. The analysis of clonal populations (e.g., isolated colonies), in which the average phenotype is measured, can circumvent this issue. Indeed, no-expression mutants form negative populations while wild-type clones form populations in which average expression of the phenotype yields a positive signal. We present here an optimized colony immunoblot protocol and a semi-automated image analysis pipeline (ImageJ macro) allowing for rapid detection of clones harboring mutations that affect the heterogeneous (i.e., bimodal) expression of the Type Three Secretion System-1 (TTSS-1) in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We show that this protocol can efficiently differentiate clones expressing TTSS-1 at various levels in mixed populations. We were able to detect the emergence of hilC mutants in which the proportion of cells expressing TTSS-1 was reduced compared to the ancestor. We could also follow changes in the frequency of different mutants during long-term infections. This demonstrates that our protocol constitutes a tractable approach to assess semi-quantitatively the evolutionary dynamics of heterogeneous phenotypes, such as the expression of virulence genes, in bacterial populations.
Differential fates of invertase mutants in the yeast endoplasmic reticulum

A number of proteins have been identified as substrates for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐associated protein degradation (ERAD) and we describe here a new model substrate with which to study this process. Two secretion‐defective forms of yeast invertase that accumulated in the ER to greatly different levels were examined: Suc2‐538p levels were low, while Suc2‐533p was present in high amounts. Because Suc2‐533p and Suc2‐538p mRNA levels were comparable, we examined whether Suc2‐538p was targeted for degradation. Both mutant polypeptide levels were unaffected in a yeast strain deficient in vacuolar protease activity and, additionally, we showed that Suc2‐538p was stabilized in ERAD‐deficient strains, demonstrating that Suc2‐538p was a substrate for ERAD. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Modified Low‐Density Lipoproteins on Human Retinal Pericyte Survival

Abstract: According to a current paradigm cardiovascular diseases can be initiated by exposure of vascular cells to qualitatively modified low‐density lipoproteins (LDL). Capillary leakage, an early feature of diabetic retinopathy, results in the exposure of retinal pericytes to modified LDL, including glycated (G‐LDL) and heavily oxidized glycated LDL (HOG‐LDL). We demonstrate here that modified LDL inhibits the proliferation and survival of cultured human retinal pericytes. Modified LDL also induced DNA fragmentation in bovine retinal pericytes. Overall, HOG‐LDL produced a significantly higher extent of cytotoxicity and apoptosis in retinal pericytes. These results indicate that exposure of pericytes to HOG‐LDL could be implicated in the development of diabetic retinopathy.
Evidence of the Recombinant Origin of a Bat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-Like Coronavirus and Its Implications on the Direct Ancestor of SARS Coronavirus

ABSTRACT Bats have been identified as the natural reservoir of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like and SARS coronaviruses (SLCoV and SCoV). However, previous studies suggested that none of the currently sampled bat SLCoVs is the descendant of the direct ancestor of SCoV, based on their relatively distant phylogenetic relationship. In this study, evidence of the recombinant origin of the genome of a bat SLCoV is demonstrated. We identified a potential recombination breakpoint immediately after the consensus intergenic sequence between open reading frame 1 and the S coding region, suggesting the replication intermediates may participate in the recombination event, as previously speculated for other CoVs. Phylogenetic analysis of its parental regions suggests the presence of an uncharacterized SLCoV lineage that is phylogenetically closer to SCoVs than any of the currently sampled bat SLCoVs. Using various Bayesian molecular-clock models, interspecies transfer of this SLCoV lineage from bats to the amplifying host (e.g., civets) was estimated to have happened a median of 4.08 years before the SARS outbreak. Based on this relatively short window period, we speculate that this uncharacterized SLCoV lineage may contain the direct ancestor of SCoV. This study sheds light on the possible host bat species of the direct ancestor of SCoV, providing valuable information on the scope and focus of surveillance for the origin of SCoV.
Institutional Pressures and Environmental Management Practices: The Moderating Effects of Environmental Commitment and Resource Availability

With the deterioration of the environment and the shortage of natural resources, firms are facing increasing pressures to implement environmental management practices in their daily operation management. Drawing on institutional theory and environmental management literatures, this research tries to explore how institutional pressures motivate firms to implement environmental management practices, and how such effects are moderated by firms' environmental commitment and resource availability. The results of a survey of 188 Chinese firms suggest that regulatory pressures and normative pressures are positively and significantly related to firms' propensity to implement environmental management practices. Moreover, the results indicate that firms' environmental commitment positively moderates the relationships between institutional pressures and environmental management practices, while firms' resource availability plays different roles depending on the types of pressure (regulatory or normative pressures). Implications and suggestions for future research are provided. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Exploring the dynamics of work engagement with empowering leadership as predictor: A longitudinal multi-level approach.

Work engagement literature portrays opposing empirical findings regarding the stability and dynamism of work engagement. This paper argues that the conflicting findings are results of the different methods used by previous research, and posits that work engagement can be dynamic. The present study’s first aim was to apply a longitudinal multilevel approach to model the work engagement dynamics over time. The second aim was to investigate empowering leadership as a predictor of work engagement, by using a longitudinal approach. This paper posits that empowering leadership is a job resource that positively affects work engagement through intrinsic and extrinsic motivational processes. Longitudinal data on a sample of 125 Norwegian employees in a wide range of professions were used to test the hypotheses. Regarding the first aim, the results indicate that individual employees experience considerable changes and diverse patterns of development in their work engagement over time, but that assessments of average development in the sample do not reflect these dynamics. This finding illustrates why previous research may have provided conflicting findings regarding the degree of stability and dynamism. Regarding the second aim, the results indicate that empowering leadership is related to the average level, but not to the development, of work engagement. This paper poses three explanations for this inconsistency to be further investigated, related to aligning the development of participants, the stability of empowering leadership behaviors, and possible negative effects of empowering leadership.
Automatic personality prediction from audiovisual data using random forest regression

In this paper, we focus on describing the method we designed for automatic perceived personality prediction. We present a simple model that uses three different sets of features: nonverbal audio cues, visual cues from video, and facial landmark points. The model uses a random decision forest to do regression from the extracted features. As we discuss in Section 4, this multimodal model performs relatively well in the task of personality analysis and recognition of certain personality traits from short video clips. Using this model, we came in 4th place in the first track of the second round of Joint Contest on Multimedia Challenges Beyond Visual Analysis at ICPR 2016 [1].
Treatment of adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome with cyclosporin A: minimal-change disease and focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis. Collaborative Group of the French Society of Nephrology.

Two open studies were conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerance of cyclosporin A (CyA, Sandimmun) 5 mg/kg/day. Sixty-four patients received CyA as monotherapy, and efficacy was assessed at three months; in 48 other patients, CyA was given with prednisone 12-15 mg/kg/day, and efficacy was assessed at six months. Of these 112 patients, 14 withdrew prematurely because of adverse events or other reasons, and a further nine patients were excluded for protocol violation. The remaining 98 patients were considered valid for the evaluation of efficacy (52 with minimal-change disease [MCD] and 46 with focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis [FSGS]; 37/98 were steroid-dependent [SD], and 61/98 were steroid-resistant [SR]). The remission:failure rate depended on histology (36:16 in MCD, 11:35 in FSGS) and steroid response (25:12 in SD, 22:39 in SR). The rate of remission was highest in SD MCD (71%) and lowest in SR FSGS (20%; chi square = 18.6, p less than 0.001). Tolerance was assessed by serum creatinine and, in 36 cases, by repeat renal biopsy at six to 42 months. Serum creatinine was remarkably stable in MCD. Rising creatinines were observed mostly in cases of SR FSGS, particularly those who had pretreatment interstitial lesions; this was considered due to both an increase of interstitial lesions and progression of the glomerular lesions of FSGS. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genotoxic assessment in peripheral blood lymphocytes of post-polio individuals using sister chromatid exchange analysis and micronucleus assay

Environmental pollution is a complex issue because of the diversity of anthropogenic agents, both chemical and physical, that have been detected and catalogued. The consequences to biota from exposure to genotoxic agents present an additional problem because of the potential for these agents to produce adverse change at the cellular and organism levels. Past studies in virus have focused on structural damage to the DNA of environmental species that may occur after exposure to genotoxic agents and the use of this information to document exposure and to monitor remediation. In an effort to predict effects at the population, community and ecosystem levels, in the present study, we attempt to characterize damage occurring through genotoxic agents like 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, BrdU, using sister chromatid exchange technique and the formation of micronuclei (MN) in the peripheral lymphocytes of the post-polio syndrome sequelae affected by poliovirus. Analysis of structural chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and involvement of the specific chromosome break were pursued in this study. They revealed a significantly higher incidence of CAs (chromatid and chromosome breaks) in patients compared with controls, where the specific chromosome break has emerged as specific. Also, the maximum numbers of breaks were found to be in chromosome 1 at the position 1p36.1. The results also suggest a correlation between CAs and content of MN.
Audiovocal integration in adults who stutter.

BACKGROUND Altered auditory feedback can facilitate speech fluency in adults who stutter. However, other findings suggest that adults who stutter show anomalies in 'audiovocal integration', such as longer phonation reaction times to auditory stimuli and less effective pitch tracking. AIMS To study audiovocal integration in adults who stutter using the pitch-shift paradigm. METHODS & PROCEDURES Fourteen adult stuttering participants and 16 normally fluent adults produced the vowel /a/while monitoring their own voice through earphones. Unanticipated pitch-shifts were applied in the upward or downward direction for 500 ms. OUTCOMES & RESULTS Short latency pitch-shift responses (or pitch-shift responses) were elicited in all participants. In stuttering participants, vocal response onset latency was significantly delayed and amplitude tended to be reduced. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS Atypical audiovocal responses could be associated with stuttering. It is not clear how audiovocal integration influences stuttering, but could signal inadequate activation of internal models.
A HYBRID INTELLIGENT MODEL FOR TOURISM DEMAND FORECASTING

The ever increasing demand of the tourism sector worldwide has led to an increase in tourism demand forecasting methodologies. New techniques yield much reliable predictions of tourist arrivals for better economic planning. The study aims to forecast and compare the performance of two non-linear artificial intelligence approaches in predicting the number of tourist arrivals to Singapore. The Singapore inbound monthly tourism data were utilized to generate one, two, four and six month ahead forecasts with non-linear autoregressive (NAR) neural networks and neuro-fuzzy systems. The predictive accuracy of NAR neural networks and neuro-fuzzy systems were compared with various performance metrics. The study revealed that neuro-fuzzy systems outperformed NAR networks in all forecasting horizons and for all countries. The proposed neuro-fuzzy methodology helps in improving the forecasting performance of artificial intelligence based techniques. The study contributes to hospitality literature and could be utilized by managers to effectively plan and implement tourism related policy measures.
Serum and follicular fluid levels of soluble Fas, soluble Fas ligand and apoptosis of luteinized granulosa cells in PCOS patients undergoing IVF.

BACKGROUND There are limited data about the levels of soluble apoptotic factors and their modulation with therapeutic regimens in IVF cycles. The aim of the current study was to determine follicular fluid, and serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) in PCOS patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles; also to investigate the effects of metformin on these factors and on apoptosis of luteinized granulosa cells. METHODS We investigated the serum and follicular fluid levels of sFas and sFasL in patients with PCOS (n = 28) and compared them with those of the patients with infertility due to male factor (n = 12) undergoing IVF cycles. Effects of metformin therapy on these parameters and apoptosis of luteinized granulosa cells were also investigated among the patients with PCOS. RESULTS Serum levels of sFas were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared to those in women with infertility due to male factor. Metformin therapy in PCOS patients preceding IVF cycles increased serum levels of sFas and decreased follicular fluid levels of sFasL compared to those on placebo. Follicular fluid from PCOS patients demonstrated luteinized granulosa cell DNA fragmentation in agarose gel, whereas a similar pattern was not observed among PCOS patients undergoing metformin therapy. CONCLUSION Decreased serum levels of sFas and luteinized granulosa cell DNA fragmentation is observed in patients with PCOS undergoing IVF cycles. Metformin therapy preceding IVF demonstrates an antiapoptotic effect with increased serum levels of sFas, decreased follicular fluid levels of sFasL and prevention of luteinized granulosa cell DNA fragmentation.
Perceptions about family planning and contraceptive practice in a marital dyad.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine couple interactions to predict wives' contraceptive use as well as that of their husbands in rural Ethiopia. BACKGROUND Previous studies stated that men's power and their preferences regarding family planning have a significant role in the adoption of contraception, as well as women's general reproductive health. Spousal communication on reproductive matters helped couples to be aware of each other's perspectives and enhanced the usage of family planning through shared decision-making. DESIGN A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to analyse the Actor and Partner effects within the marital dyad. The study sample included 389 married couples who were recruited from households in seven enumeration areas randomly selected from Hetosa Woreda in Ethiopia. METHODS We used a face-to-face interview survey. Data were collected between 22 October and 21 November 2010 and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, t-test, Pearson's correlation and the Actor-Partner interdependence model. RESULTS There were significant differences in perceptions about family planning, contraceptive knowledge and contraceptive use between wives and husbands. Wives' perceptions about family planning affected theirs as well as that of their husbands' knowledge and use of contraceptive methods. However, husbands' perceptions about family planning did not affect their knowledge and use of contraceptive methods, but did influence their wives'. CONCLUSIONS The application of couple data enhanced our understanding of the complex interactions between wives and husbands, which may lead to novel dyadic-based interventions to improve family planning practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Couples must be educated and informed not only about the adoption of contraception, but also about reproductive rights and responsibilities through changes in educational and motivational strategies.
Market Power and Efficiency in Banking: The Case of USA and Canada

The banking markets of USA and Canada have gone through the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and many other changes during the period 2003-15. The USA banking market was impacted by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), and several mergers occurred, while the extent of the GFC’s impact on Canada was much less severe, and there was no major merger and acquisition activity. This study compares the impact of changing market concentration and power on the efficiency of the major banks in both the countries, using stochastic frontier analysis. A significant impact of GFC is observed on market power, concentration, and bank efficiency during the 2007-09 period. Overall, Canadian banks posted better efficiency scores than their US counterparts. We find that market power had a positive impact and market concentration a negative impact on bank efficiency. Market power is used to lower the cost of funds and increase the price of loans to achieve an optimal level of performance (from the banks’ perspective). The paper contributes by integrating competition measures into the study of efficiency, demonstrating that inclusion of efficiency allows a more precise estimation of the frontier. The paper also has implications for the regulation of the banking sector, particularly with regard to competition.
Influence of vitamin D receptor haplotypes on blood lead concentrations in environmentally exposed children of Uygur and Han populations

Objective: To explore the association between polymorphism of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and lead poisoning in Uygur and Han children in China. Methods: The BsmI, ApaI and TaqI restriction sites of VDR genotyping were determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism in 443 Uygur and 469 Han children from Xinjiang province. The correlation between the polymorphism of VDR haplotypes and blood lead levels was explored. Results: The genotype frequencies of VDR had significant differences in Han and Uygur children (p <0.01). According to VDR–BsmI, ApaI and TaqI haplotype analysis in Han children, haplotypes Atb and AtB were considerably decreased in the lead poisoning group (p <0.05) while haplotype aTb and ATb were significantly increased in the lead poisoning group (p <0.01). However, such results were not found in Uygur children (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant difference was seen in the frequency distribution of the VDR genotype among the different races. Haplotypes Atb and AtB might be protective factors while haplotypes ATb and aTb might be risk factors in Han children.
The mediating effect of self‐efficacy in the relationship between social support and post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms among patients with central system tumors in China: a cross‐sectional study

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that can affect people following the experience of a traumatic event. Few studies have researched on PTSD symptoms of patients with central nervous system tumors. In this study, we aim to examine the association between social support and PTSD symptoms and to explore the mediating effect of self‐efficacy in this relationship among patients with central nervous system tumors in China.
AMPA receptors at primary afferent synapses in substantia gelatinosa after sciatic nerve section

Increased excitability of superficial laminae of the spinal cord may contribute to the pathological pain consequent to peripheral nerve injury. Among several mechanisms that may be responsible for this occurrence is upregulation of receptors for glutamate in the spinal cord. To explore this possibility, we investigated changes in AMPA receptors in substantia gelatinosa of rats after section of the sciatic nerve. Immunofluorescence was performed on sections from the fourth lumbar segment. Quantitative analysis of digitally captured images suggested that staining for an antibody to a sequence shared by GluR2 and GluR3 (GluR2/3) was increased on the side ipsilateral to the lesion.
Staff Perspectives on Juvenile Drug Court Operations

Substance use is pervasive among youth, particularly among those involved in the juvenile justice system. Juvenile drug courts (JDCs) are a promising approach for delinquent youth with substance abuse issues. However, research regarding JDCs has shown inconsistent effects, and little is known about the specific components associated with positive outcomes. The current study examines data from interviews of JDC judges and team member focus groups in six JDCs from two contiguous southeastern states to identify stakeholders’ perceptions about what places youth at risk for involvement in JDC and the factors that may contribute to successful outcomes. In addition, we examine these stakeholders’ perceptions of the strengths and challenges facing their JDCs. Our findings highlight the importance of parents and specific strategies implemented by JDCs in influencing the outcomes of youth in JDCs and the importance of interagency collaboration and access to treatment and community resources for the overall success of JDCs.