Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Splanchnic Perfusion During Delayed, Hypotensive, or Aggressive Fluid Resuscitation From Uncontrolled Hemorrhage

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three different fluid resuscitation strategies on splanchnic perfusion in a clinically relevant model of uncontrolled hemorrhage after liver trauma. Anesthetized swine were instrumented with a gastric near-infrared spectroscopy probe (GStO2), a jejunal tonometer (PrCO2), a portal vein catheter (SpvO2, lactate), and an ultrasonic blood flow probe on the superior mesenteric artery. The liver was lacerated to produce uncontrolled hemorrhage and a shock state characterized by a 40–60% decrease in cardiac output and a decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) to 42 ± 1 mmHg. Animals were randomly assigned to either delayed resuscitation (n = 6); hypotensive resuscitation with lactated Ringer's infusion to MAP = 60 mmHg (n = 6); or aggressive resuscitation with LR to MAP ≥ 75 mmHg (n = 6). For the remainder of the protocol, the treatment was identical. The data showed that blood loss (47 ± 7 and 45 ± 10 mL/kg) and total fluid requirements (118 ± 73 and 171 ± 85 mL/kg) were similar with either hypotensive or aggressive resuscitation. In contrast, with delayed resuscitation, both values were lower (27 ± 2 mL/kg and 87 ± 33 mL/kg, both P < 0.05). Despite aggressive resuscitation, SpvO2 and GstO2 were about 10% lower (both P < 0.05 within group) and PrCO2 was about 20 mmHg higher (P < 0.05 within group) than the corresponding values in the other two groups. Thus, delayed resuscitation minimized the blood loss but did not restore tissue oxygenation, whereas aggressive resuscitation was associated with maximal blood loss and splanchnic hypoperfusion. For this reason, it is reasonable to conclude that hypotensive resuscitation might be an effective strategy to maintain splanchnic perfusion after blunt abdominal trauma and uncontrolled hemorrhage.
Transcriptional regulation of the human tumor suppressor p14(ARF) by E2F1, E2F2, E2F3, and Sp1-like factors.

The human ARF/INK4a locus encodes two cell cycle inhibitors, p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF), by using separate promoters. A variety of mitogenic stimuli upregulate ARF but a direct modulation at the transcriptional level has been reported only for E2F-1. We show here that the ARF promoter is strongly responsive also to E2F2 and E2F3, thus providing a strong support to their suggested role in the induction of apoptosis. Through the usage of both deletion mutants and/or site-directed mutants, we surprisingly found that none of the four putative E2F consensus sites is strictly necessary for the upregulation of ARF expression, as a minimal deletion mutant, lacking all the putative E2F binding sites, is still transactivated by E2F. Moreover, our data suggest that the ARF promoter is regulated by E2F through both direct binding to the promoter sequences and indirectly, probably by being tethered to the ARF promoter by Sp1-like factors.
p45, an ATPase subunit of the 19S proteasome, targets the polyglutamine disease protein ataxin‐3 to the proteasome

Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of the polyglutamine tract near the C‐terminus of the MJD‐1 gene product, ataxin‐3. Ataxin‐3 is degraded by the proteasome. However, the precise mechanism of ataxin‐3 degradation remains to be elucidated. In this study, we show direct links between ataxin‐3 and the proteasome. p45, an ATPase subunit of the 19S proteasome, interacts with ataxin‐3 in vitro and stimulates the degradation of ataxin‐3 in an in vitro reconstituted degradation assay system. The effect of p45 on ataxin‐3 degradation is blocked by MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. In N2a or 293 cells, overexpression of p45 strikingly enhances the clearance of both normal and expanded ataxin‐3, but not alpha synuclein or SOD1, implying a functional specificity of p45 in this proteolytic process. The N‐terminus of ataxin‐3, which serves as a recognition site by p45, is necessary for the proteolytic process of ataxin‐3. We also show that other three ATPases of the 19S proteasome, MSS1, p48, and p56 have no effect on ataxin‐3 degradation. These data provide evidence that p45 plays an important role in regulating ataxin‐3 degradation by the proteasome.
Predictors of Delayed Healthcare Seeking Among American Muslim Women.

BACKGROUND Delayed care seeking is associated with adverse health outcomes. For Muslim women, delayed care seeking might include religion-related motivations, such as a preference for female clinicians, concerns about preserving modesty, and fatalistic beliefs. Our study assesses associations between religion-related factors and delayed care seeking due to a perceived lack of female clinicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surveys were distributed to Muslim women attending mosque and community events in Chicago. Survey items included measures of religiosity, religious fatalism, discrimination, modesty, and alternative medicine utilization and worship practices. The outcome measure asked for levels of agreement to the statement "I have delayed seeking medical care when no woman doctor is available to see me. " RESULTS Two hundred fifty-four women completed the survey with nearly equal numbers of African Americans (26%), Arab Americans (33%), and South Asians (33%). Fifty-three percent reported delays in care seeking due to a perceived lack of female clinicians. In multivariate analysis adjusting for sociodemographic factors, higher religiosity (odds ratio [OR] = 5.2, p < 0.01) and modesty levels (OR = 1.4, p < 0.001) were positively associated with delayed care seeking. Having lived in the United States for >20 years (OR = 0.22, p < 0.05) was negatively associated with delayed care seeking. CONCLUSION Many American Muslim women reported delays in care seeking due to a perceived lack of female clinicians. Women with higher levels of modesty and self-rated religiosity had higher odds of delaying care. Women who had lived in the United States for longer durations had lower odds of delaying care. Our research highlights the need for gender-concordant providers and culturally sensitive care for American Muslims.
Comparing a driving simulator to the real road regarding distracted driving speed

Relative and absolute validity of a driving simulator were assessed regarding effects on mean speed and speed variation during distracting secondary tasks, and normal driving. 16 participants drove the same route four times, twice in a simulator and twice in the real world. They performed way finding tasks, using either a paper map or a route guidance system, and mobile phone conversation tasks. Furthermore, driving without secondary tasks on other road segments in the two methods was compared. As both mean speed and standard deviations of speed were not equivalent, absolute validity could not be established. However, as effects found in the experimental conditions varied in the same directions, evidence for relative validity was provided. It is concluded that driving performance regarding speed under distracting conditions may validly be researched in the driving simulator employed here.
Kinase mutations and efficacy of imatinib in Korean patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

PURPOSE This study analyzed the relationship between treatment outcome and kinase mutational status in Korean patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Clinical data were collected from 113 consecutive patients with metastatic or unresectable GISTs treated with imatinib from June 2001 through June 2005 at five institutions in Korea. KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 were examined. RESULTS The median patient age was 57 years (range, 31-82 years). The overall response rate was 67.2%. KIT mutations were found in exon 11 (n = 92, 81.4%) and exon 9 (n = 10, 8.8%). One patient had a PDGFRA exon 18 mutation. The overall mutation rate was 91.2%. Response rates were 68.4%, 50.0%, and 80.0% in patients with KIT exon 11 mutations, KIT exon 9 mutations, and no kinase mutations, respectively. With a median follow-up of 49.0 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 42.0 months and median overall survival (OS) time was not reached. PFS and OS times did not differ significantly according to KIT genotype. CONCLUSION This study was unable to find an association between KIT mutational status and clinical outcome of imatinib in Korean patients with advanced GISTs. There was a trend toward better outcomes for patients with wild-type KIT or exon 11 mutations compared with exon 9 mutations, although this was not statistically significant. Compared with previous studies in western populations, these results suggest that ethnic differences may influence the relationship between KIT genotype and clinical outcome to imatinib.
Validating serum markers for monitoring of cancer.

Most of the serum tumor markers available today were introduced decades ago and were applied to clinical use without rigorous evaluation of their clinical validity. Tumor markers are mainly used for monitoring the response to therapy and to facilitate earlier detection of a relapse. Many organizations have issued guidelines on the use of tumor markers, but most of the recommendations are not based on randomized prospective trials. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , the European Group on Tumor Markers presents guidelines (MONITOR) for designing studies on the validity of tumor markers for the serial monitoring of cancer patients, with the aim of showing whether monitoring improves outcomes, compared with other routinely used methods (1). Guidelines are needed because the use of serum markers is variable and not necessarily based on evidence. The need for validating the use of tumor markers was demonstrated in the recent evaluation of cancer antigen 125 (CA125)2 measurements for monitoring patients with ovarian cancer (2). The validity of this generally accepted practice was investigated in a study that fulfilled most of the criteria in the MONITOR guidelines. Enrolled in the study were 1442 patients with ovarian cancer who had achieved complete remission with normal CA125 concentrations after undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients …
Explaining the incidence of catastrophic expenditures on health care: Comparative evidence from Asia

Out-of-pocket (OOP) financing of health care leaves households exposed to the risk of unforeseen expenditures that absorb a large share of the household budget. We explain variation in the incidence of catastrophic medical expenditures across households in six Asian countries/territories. Except in India and Sri Lanka, larger households are more likely to incur catastrophic payments. The incidence is higher in rural areas and lower among households with a sanitary toilet and safe drinking water. Household total consumption is positively correlated with the incidence of catastrophic payments. We distinguish between effects through the mean and the variance of the OOP budget share by estimating a linear regression model with multiplicative heteroscedasticity. Total consumption is positively correlated with the variance of the OOP budget share. The direction of the mean effect differs across countries. We consistently reject exogeneity of total consumption. Correcting for endogeneity generally reduces the magnitude of the coefficient on total consumption and leaves it insignificant. One interpretation is that households finance health payments from savings, borrowing and assets sales resulting in a rise both in total household expenditure and its health care share.
Adolescent-Friendly Remedies for the Challenges of Focus Group Research

Focus groups are an increasingly popular method of qualitative research; however, as with any research method, limitations emerge that were not anticipated. This article reviewed the limitations reported in 21 research studies, published between 2002 and 2012, to identify the common concerns of researchers in focus group studies with adolescents. Limitations focused on methodological concerns, recruitment challenges, and the potential influences of peers and the moderator on research results. Remedies are suggested for modifying the focus group method to address these potential challenges within the context of adolescent development and adolescent-friendly care.
Rapid evolution towards equal sex ratios in a system with heterogamety

The equal sex ratios found in many species with heterogametic sex determination may be a consequence of selection for equality or the result of the Mendelian segregation of the two sex chromosomes. A lack of genetic variation in sex ratio in species with heterogamety has been the major obstacle in distinguishing between these two hypotheses. We overcome this obstacle by generating hybrids between two species of Drosophila. The resulting hybrid lines had biased sex ratios, allowing us to observe the evolution of sex ratio in replicate populations. Sex ratio converged towards 1:1 after 16 generations of natural selection. These changes in sex ratio were not due to differences in viability between the sexes and the loci underlying the variation in sex ratio were not sex-linked. Equal sex ratios may therefore be the result of natural selection as Fisher predicted.
Interactions between lifestyle-related factors and the ApoE polymorphism on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins. The EARS Study. European Atherosclerosis Research Study.

To elucidate how the apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism and modifiable factors interact in explaining plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels, we studied 1448 young adults (18 to 26 years old), participating in the European Atherosclerosis Research Study (EARS). Venous blood was collected after an overnight fast. Modifiable factors, eg, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), tobacco and alcohol consumption, and physical activity, were determined by using standardized protocols. Associations of modifiable factors with apoE levels were homogeneous across apoE phenotypes. In contrast, correlations of BMI with total cholesterol and apoB levels, as well as correlations between WHR and apoB, were significantly (P < .05 to P < .01) stronger in E2 carriers than in subjects with other phenotypes. Total cholesterol and apoB levels were comparable in E2 carriers in the upper tertile of BMI or WHR to those in E3/3 subjects, suggesting that the lowering effect of the E2 allele was no longer present. The inverse association between the plasma cholesteryl linoleate-to-oleate ratio, a marker for the dietary polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid ratio, and triglycerides was also stronger in E2 carriers (-0.33 versus -0.17 in E3/3 and -0.24 in E4 carriers). Associations with other modifiable factors were notably consistent across apoE phenotypes. Gender and modifiable factors explained three times more (31%) of the interindividual variation in apoB levels in E2 carriers than in E3/3 subjects (9%) or E4 carriers (14%), mainly due to a larger variance explained by BMI. Our results suggest that the apoE polymorphism acts in a relatively uniform manner, independently of lifestyle. However, the associations of adiposity to total cholesterol and apoB levels appear to be stronger in apoE2 carriers.
Logic of Wg and Dpp induction of distal and medial fates in the Drosophila leg

Drosophila leg development requires the cooperation of two secreted signals, Decapentaplegic (Dpp) and Wingless (Wg), to form the proximodistal (PD) axis. Wg and Dpp are also required to pattern the dorsoventral (DV) axis of the leg. Here, we show that Distalless (Dll) and dachshund (dac), genes expressed at different positions along the PD axis, are activated by Wg signaling and repressed by Brinker (Brk), a transcriptional repressor in the Dpp pathway. The levels of both Brk and Wg determine which of these PD genes is activated. Surprisingly, Brk does not play a role in DV axis specification in the leg, suggesting that Dpp uses two distinct mechanisms for generating the PD and DV axes. Based on these results, we present a model for how Dpp and Wg, which are present as dorsal and ventral gradients, respectively, induce nearly circular domains of gene expression along the PD axis.
Comparison of jump-landing protocols with Biodex Balance System as measures of dynamic postural stability in athletes*

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the two common methods for assessing postural stability in athletes: the time-to-stabilisation (TTS) via force-plate and the Biodex Balance System (BBS). The conditions under which these measurements assess dynamic postural control may not provide sufficient feedback to practitioners. Fourty-four amateur soccer players with no history of musculoskeletal disorders volunteered for the study. Pearson correlation was used to compare the anterior–posterior (AP), medio-lateral (ML), and the overall stability indexes measured by BBS, with the corresponding parameters of TTS assessed via force plate. There was no significant correlation between any parameters of dynamic stability measured by force-plate and the stability indexes. However, there was a significant correlation between the resulting vectors and the AP component of TTS for each jump protocol. Furthermore, forward drop landing exhibited shortest TTS in AP direction, while lateral drop landing resulted in longer ML TTS relative to both forward jumps (p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that the TTS and BBS stability indexes should be used as distinct measures of dynamic postural stability. TTS protocols may be modified to target a specific training conditions or athletic population.
A Bushmaster bite during a birding expedition in lowland southeastern Peru

Birders and other ecotourists are traveling to increasingly remote areas of the world where sophisticated medical care may be difficult to obtain. This report presents a case of a Bushmaster (Lachesis muta muta) bite in Peru and details the difficulties encountered from initial care to evacuation and definitive medical care.
The Process of University-to-Industry Knowledge Transfer And Influential Factors

As the firms become increasingly aware that in-house R&D facilities and resources are no longer capable of being the sole source of the research needs, the cooperation between universities and industries are very popular nearly all over the world. This paper focuses on knowledge transfer process in the context of university-industry cooperation. Through literature research and theoretical analysis, this paper establishes five-stage knowledge transfer process model: searching stage, matching stage, learning stage, adaptation stage and integration stage. Besides that, puts communication stage across the whole knowledge transfer process. Basing on the model, this paper suggests the influential factors, which affect university-to-industry effective knowledge transfer. The influential factors are university knowledge factor, firm factors, interactive factor, knowledge characteristics and context distance. Finally, we suggest the further research direction and methods
MLN8054 and Alisertib (MLN8237): Discovery of Selective Oral Aurora A Inhibitors

The Aurora kinases are essential for cell mitosis, and the dysregulation of Aurora A and B have been linked to the etiology of human cancers. Investigational agents MLN8054 (8) and alisertib (MLN8237, 10) have been identified as high affinity, selective, orally bioavailable inhibitors of Aurora A that have advanced into human clinical trials. Alisertib (10) is currently being evaluated in multiple Phase II and III clinical trials in hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
The Oral Health Needs of Wisconsin Farmers and the Need for Patient Activation: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to determine the level of oral health need of Wisconsin farmers based on sociodemographic variables, perceived oral health, and actual oral health, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a dental hygiene patient activation intervention. Methods: Oral health screenings were administered by calibrated dental hygienists to 60 Wisconsin farmers attending the 2016 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Study participants self-administered the Oral Health Inventory Profile-14 survey and participated in an Adult Basic Screening Survey. Validity and reliability of both instruments have been established in previous studies. A follow-up phone call for Wisconsin farmers with a moderate- to high-risk oral health condition determined study participants followed the dental hygiene recommendations signified if study participants followed the dental hygiene recommendations and if patient activation had been achieved. Results: Study participants represented Wisconsin farmers (N = 60; n = 32 men, n = 28 women) with an average age range between 50 and 60 years old. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 survey results indicated that this group of Wisconsin farmers did not perceive themselves to have an oral health problem. The Adult Basic Screening Survey results also indicated that the majority of study participants did not currently have active oral disease. There were 32% (n = 19) who qualified for follow-up phone call, with 15% (n = 3) seeking oral health care based on the dental hygiene recommendation. Significant associations between sociodemographic variables and actual oral health were not found, and the null hypotheses were not rejected. Conclusions: Findings suggest that this group of Wisconsin farmers is receiving regular oral health care and patient activation despite literature suggesting that farmers and rural individuals might face unique barriers to health and oral health care.
What explains the rural-urban gap in infant mortality: Household or community characteristics?

The rural-urban gap in infant mortality rates is explained by using a new decomposition method that permits identification of the contribution of unobserved heterogeneity at the household and the community level. Using Demographic and Health Survey data for six Francophone countries in Central and West sub-Saharan Africa, we find that differences in the distributions of factors that determine mortality-not differences in their effects-explain almost the entire gap. Higher infant mortality rates in rural areas mainly derive from the rural disadvantage in household characteristics, both observed and unobserved, which explain two-thirds of the gap. Among the observed characteristics, environmental factors-a safe source of drinking water, electricity, and quality of housing materials-are the most important contributors. Community characteristics explain less than onequarter of the gap, with about two-thirds of this coming from community unobserved heterogeneity and one-third from the existence of a health facility within the community. The effect of disadvantageous environmental conditions-such as limited electricity and water supply-derives both from a lack of community-level infrastructure and from the inability of some households to exploit it when available. Policy needs to operate at both the community and household levels to correct such deficiencies.
Comparison between different rectangular horn elements for array antenna applications

The coupling and directivity characteristics of an array with rectangular open-ended waveguide elements are considered. In particular waveguides with soft and hard boundaries are analyzed and discussed with respect to array applications. A soft waveguide or horn (e.g. corrugated horn) is characterized by zero intensity of the aperture field at the wall, while a hard waveguide or horn is characterized by a uniform aperture field distribution. The latter has higher directivity than the former, at the expense of higher sidelobes. Applications of hard and soft horn elements are discussed. <<ETX>>