Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulinotropic actions of exendin-4 and glucagon-like peptide-1 in vivo and in vitro.

This study compares in vitro effects of exendin-4 and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 on basal and glucose-stimulated insulin release from isolated rat islets and in vivo insulinotropic actions of exendin-4 and GLP-1 after an intravenous glucose challenge in rats. In static incubation of isolated islets, changing ambient glucose concentration from 3 mmol/L to 10 mmol/L stimulated insulin secretion 9.8 +/- 1.3-fold. The addition of exendin-4 or GLP-1 (1 nmol/L to 1 micromol/L) increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion up to 5.8 +/- 1.6-fold and 3.3 +/- 1.0-fold, respectively, over basal rates (defined as no hormones added, 3 mmol/L glucose) and 19.6 +/- 2.3-fold and 15.0 +/- 3.1-fold at 10 mmol/L glucose. In dynamically perfused isolated islets exposed to 7.5 mmol/L glucose, insulin secretion increased 6.4 +/- 1.5-fold, and exendin-4 (20 nmol/L) or GLP-1 (20 nmol/L) increased this similarly by up to 13.5 +/- 2.8 and 12.7 +/- 3.9-fold,respectively. Anesthetized rats administered 5.7 mmol/kg intravenous glucose increased plasma insulin concentration 3.0-fold. Infusion of exendin-4 or GLP-1 increased this to a maximum of 7.6-fold and 5.3-fold, respectively. As with isolated islet studies, in vivo dose responses and concentration responses with exendin-4 and GLP-1 were bell-shaped. When insulinotropic effects were mapped onto the steady-state plasma concentrations associated with these infusion rates, both peptides exhibited bell-shaped concentration responses with peak insulinotropic effects occurring with plasma peptide concentrations of approximately 1 nmol/L in this model. In summary, exendin-4 and GLP-1 exhibited similar insulinotropic potencies (median effective dose [ED(50)]) when assessed on a concentration basis in in vitro and in vivo models, while exendin-4 exhibited greater efficacy (maximum response).
OUTER RETINAL TUBULATION: Characteristics in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: To assess the incidence, characteristics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and retinal sensitivity correlations in patients with and without outer retinal tubulation (ORT) affected by subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Prospective case series including 78 eyes of 78 consecutive patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Baseline and follow-up visits included BCVA, intraocular pressure, ophthalmoscopic examination, CMT as measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and retinal sensitivity tested with fundus-related perimetry (MP-1). Fluorescent angiography was performed at baseline. Results: At the end of the follow-up period, the mean BCVA and CMT of patients with ORT were statistically different from those without ORT (BCVA: 0.61 ± 0.13 vs. 0.37 ± 1.59, P < 0.0001; CMT: 290 ± 26.7 vs. 215.2 ± 33.5 &mgr;m; P < 0.0001). Patients with ORT showed a decreased mean retinal sensitivity compared with patients without ORT (6.31 ± 2.5 dB vs. 9.89 ± 5.43 dB; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The results of this study investigating the BCVA, CMT, and retinal sensitivity detected by MP-1 between patients with and without ORT in neovascular age-related macular degeneration suggest that these parameters are statistically different in patients with ORT; this may be due to the pathogenesis of ORT formation, secondary to retinal pigment epithelial tears or photoreceptor damage. MP-1 microperimeter is a noninvasive instrument that provides useful information to better characterize the functional aspect of ORT in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
Involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in angiotensin II-mediated apoptosis.

BACKGROUND Angiotensin II plays a central role in the development of congestive heart failure. Among its many actions linked to heart failure is the promotion of ventricular remodelling. Although the growth component of ventricular remodelling may initially be compensatory, the apoptotic component is associated with a decline in contractile function. Therefore, the uncoupling of angiotensin II-induced apoptosis from its other actions may prove to be clinically beneficial. However, the development of proper therapy awaits information on the mechanism underlying angiotensin II-induced apoptosis. OBJECTIVES To establish the signalling pathway responsible for angiotensin II-induced apoptosis. METHODS Isolated neonatal cardiomyocytes were incubated for several hours with medium containing 1 nM angiotensin II. The extent of angiotensin II-mediated mitochondrial DNA damage was assessed by Southern blot analysis, and the expression of electron transport proteins was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The effect of cyclosporin A on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling and cytosolic cytochrome c content were used to monitor mitochondrial permeability transition pore involvement in angiotensin II-induced apoptosis. RESULTS Angiotensin II caused significant DNA damage, an effect associated with the downregulation of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5, a component of complex 1 of the electron transport chain. Angiotensin II-mediated apoptosis, as assessed by cytochrome c release and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling, was largely blocked by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore antagonist, cyclosporin A. CONCLUSIONS Angiotensin II-induced apoptosis proceeds through a signalling pathway involving DNA damage, reduced rates of electron transport and the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Thus, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore would largely block angiotensin II-induced apoptosis without affecting the other actions of angiotensin II.
Greater Susceptibility of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum to H2O2 Injuries in Diaphragm Muscle from mdx Mice

The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct effects of a reactive oxygen species, H2O2, on the contractile function and sarcoplasmic reticulum properties of dystrophin-deficient diaphragm using chemically skinned fibers and sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicle preparations. The results obtained using Triton X-100-skinned fibers demonstrate that exposure to 1mMH2O2 had similar effects on the maximal Ca2+-activated tension and on the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus of diaphragm fibers in Bl10 and mdx mice. The effects of H2O2 were also assessed on sarcoplasmic reticulum function using saponin-skinned fibers and sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicle preparations. We found that H2O2 induced changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum properties, particularly in the Ca2+ pump function. The most important finding was that diaphragm muscle from mdx mice displayed increased sensitivity to the oxidant. Furthermore, in isolated superfused diaphragm muscle from mdx mice, the data demonstrate that the amount of superoxide anion produced under fatiguing conditions was increased. Our study shows that the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the Ca2+ pump in particular, in dystrophin-deficient muscles display increased susceptibility to H2O2 injuries. This suggests that free radicals might, therefore, be involved in the pathophysiological pathway and dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis of muscular dystrophy.
Cost‐effectiveness of a post‐splenectomy registry for prevention of sepsis in the asplenic

Background: Overwhelming, sometimes fatal infections represent a lifelong risk after surgical removal of the spleen, or in patients who develop hyposplenism as a consequence of illnesses. This risk may be reduced by all or a combination of vaccination, antibiotic prophylaxis and education. We aimed to determine if a registry approach to delivering these interventions would be cost effective using our own experience and published data.
Surgery of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer: Does age matter?

In the past, elderly patients with upper GI cancers were excluded from surgery or multimodal treatment only due to their advanced age. In an aging society this way of patient selection seems to be questionable. The aim of this retrospective exploratory study was to investigate how patients with upper GI cancer over the age of 70 years differ from younger patients in the postoperative course and which parameters influence overall survival in older patient populations.
Time from HIV seroconversion to death: a collaborative analysis of eight studies in six low and middle-income countries before highly active antiretroviral therapy

Objectives:To estimate survival patterns after HIV infection in adults in low and middle-income countries. Design:An analysis of pooled data from eight different studies in six countries. Methods:HIV seroconverters were included from eight studies (three population-based, two occupational, and three clinic cohorts) if they were at least 15 years of age, and had no more than 4 years between the last HIV-negative and subsequent HIV-positive test. Four strata were defined: East African cohorts; South African miners cohort; Thai cohorts; Haitian clinic cohort. Kaplan–Meier functions were used to estimate survival patterns, and Weibull distributions were used to model and extend survival estimates. Analyses examined the effect of site, age, and sex on survival. Results:From 3823 eligible seroconverters, 1079 deaths were observed in 19 671 person-years of follow-up. Survival times varied by age and by study site. Adjusting to age 25–29 years at seroconversion, the median survival was longer in South African miners: 11.6 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.8–13.7] and East African cohorts: 11.1 years (95% CI 8.7–14.2) than in Haiti: 8.3 years (95% CI 3.2–21.4) and Thailand: 7.5 years (95% CI 5.4–10.4). Survival was similar for men and women, after adjustment for age at seroconversion and site. Conclusion:Without antiretroviral therapy, overall survival after HIV infection in African cohorts was similar to survival in high-income countries, with a similar pattern of faster progression at older ages at seroconversion. Survival appears to be significantly worse in Thailand where other, unmeasured factors may affect progression.
Studies on the Cultivation of Values of Maritime College Students' Occupational Pride

In view of the problems that the college students in Maritime major are weak in core values and lack of occupational pride at present, the questionnaire and the form of the symposium have been adopted to investigate the main influencing factors. This paper puts forward the educational countermeasures of constructing the core value system of occupational pride in Maritime College that combining traditional culture with modern occupational knowledge education,from the establishment of specialized work institutions, the construction of the campus culture with distinctive maritime characteristics, the strengthening of the construction of the system and culture of Maritime Colleges and Universities, and the guidance of self-development, self-education for students.
Socioeconomic factors and future challenges of the goal of limiting the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 °C

ABSTRACT The Paris Agreement has confirmed that the ultimate climate policy goal is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C. Moving the goal from 2 °C to 1.5 °C calls for much more concerted effort, and presents greater challenges and costs. This study uses an Asia-Pacific Integrated Model/Computable General Equilibrium (AIM/CGE) to evaluate the role of socioeconomic factors (e.g. technological cost and energy demand assumptions) in changing mitigation costs and achieving the 1.5 °C and 2 °C goals, and to identify the channels through which socioeconomic factors affect mitigation costs. Four families of socioeconomic factors were examined, namely low-carbon energy-supply technologies, end-use energy-efficiency improvements, lifestyle changes and biomass-technology promotion (technology cost reduction and social acceptance promotion). The results show that technological improvement in low-carbon energy-supply technologies is the most important factor in reducing mitigation costs. Moreover, under the constraints of the 1.5 °C goal, the relative effectiveness of other socioeconomic factors, such as energy efficiency improvement, lifestyle changes and biomass-related technology promotion, becomes more important in decreasing mitigation cost in the 1.5 °C scenarios than in the 2 °C scenarios.
Developing entrepreneurship in Africa: investigating critical resource challenges

Purpose By drawing upon institutional theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of four critical resources (credit, electricity, contract enforcement and political governance) in explaining the quality of entrepreneurship and the depth of the supporting entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach based on ordinary least squares regression analysis was used. Three data sources were employed. First, the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI) of 35 African countries was used to measure the quality of entrepreneurship and the depth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa which represents the dependent variable. Second, the World Bank’s data on access to credit, electricity and contract enforcement in Africa were also employed as explanatory variables. Third, the Ibrahim Index of African Governance was used as an explanatory variable. Finally, country-specific data on four control variables (GDP, foreign direct investment, population and education) were gathered and analysed. Findings To support entrepreneurship development, Africa needs broad financial inclusion and state institutions that are more effective at enforcing contracts. Access to credit was non-significant and therefore did not contribute to the dependent variable (entrepreneurship quality and depth of entrepreneurial support in Africa). Access to electricity and political governance were statistically significant and correlated positively with the dependent variables. Finally, contract enforcement was partially significant and contributed to the dependent variable. Research limitations/implications A lack of GEI data for all 54 African countries limited this study to only 35 African countries: 31 in sub-Saharan Africa and 4 in North Africa. Therefore, the generalisability of this study’s findings to the whole of Africa might be limited. Second, this study depended on indexes for this study. Therefore, any inconsistencies in the index aggregation if any could not be authenticated. This study has practical implications for the development of entrepreneurship in Africa. Public and private institutions for credit delivery, contract enforcement and the provision of utility services such as electricity are crucial for entrepreneurship development. Originality/value The institutional void is a challenge for Africa. This study highlights the weak, corrupt nature of African institutions that supposedly support MSME growth. Effective entrepreneurship development in Africa depends on the presence of a supportive institutional infrastructure. This study engages institutional theory to explain the role of institutional factors such as state institutions, financial institutions, utility providers and markets in entrepreneurship development in Africa.
CoLoRMap: Correcting Long Reads by Mapping short reads

MOTIVATION Second generation sequencing technologies paved the way to an exceptional increase in the number of sequenced genomes, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic. However, short reads are difficult to assemble and often lead to highly fragmented assemblies. The recent developments in long reads sequencing methods offer a promising way to address this issue. However, so far long reads are characterized by a high error rate, and assembling from long reads require a high depth of coverage. This motivates the development of hybrid approaches that leverage the high quality of short reads to correct errors in long reads. RESULTS We introduce CoLoRMap, a hybrid method for correcting noisy long reads, such as the ones produced by PacBio sequencing technology, using high-quality Illumina paired-end reads mapped onto the long reads. Our algorithm is based on two novel ideas: using a classical shortest path algorithm to find a sequence of overlapping short reads that minimizes the edit score to a long read and extending corrected regions by local assembly of unmapped mates of mapped short reads. Our results on bacterial, fungal and insect data sets show that CoLoRMap compares well with existing hybrid correction methods. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The source code of CoLoRMap is freely available for non-commercial use at https://github.com/sfu-compbio/colormap CONTACT ehaghshe@sfu.ca or cedric.chauve@sfu.ca SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
HLA class II-associated genetic susceptibility in multiple sclerosis: a critical evaluation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has, since the 1970s, been known to be associated with the HLA-Dw2 and -DR2 specificities in Caucasian Europeans and North Americans. By the use of genomic typing techniques, the association has been specified to be with the DRw15,DQw6,Dw2, i.e. the DRB1*1501-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 haplotype. A significant DPw4 association in Scandinavian MS patients has been described in one report. However, this association has not been confirmed in several subsequent studies with patients from the same and other ethnic groups. During the last few years several reports, based on serological, RFLP and PCR-SSO data, have suggested that the HLA class II-associated MS susceptibility gene(s) may be more closely associated with the DQ than with the DR subregion. The observations that the HLA-DQB1 genes of MS patients share long stretches of sequence motifs and also carry DQA1 alleles encoding glutamine at position 34 of the DQ alpha chain have received considerable attention. It has been suggested that the susceptibility to develop MS might be determined by the corresponding DQ alpha-beta heterodimers either encoded in cis or in trans. We have investigated these issues in a large group of Swedish MS patients (n = 179). We found that the associations with the suggested DQB1 sequences and position 34 of the DQ alpha chain were due to linkage disequilibrium and secondary to the association with the DRw15,DQw6,Dw2 haplotype (p less than 10(-9) and p less than 10(-8), respectively). No overrepresentation of the implicated DQ alpha-beta heterodimers was observed in DRw15,DQw6,Dw2-negative patients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
State Wide Self-assessment of General Program Standards for Agricultural Education

Agricultural education has faced a national shortage of qualified teachers since 1965. Initiatives, such as NAAE’s TeachAg Campaign, seek to alleviate this shortage through recruitment of new agriculture teachers. However, turnover in the teaching profession remains a problem, with attrition rates approaching 60% reported in some research studies. Factors such as teacher selfefficacy, job satisfaction, and work-life balance have been reported to influence teachers’ decision whether or not to remain in the profession. The purpose of this study was to describe Louisiana agriculture teachers’ levels of teacher self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and perception of work-life balance. Overall, teachers reported being efficacious in their chosen career and satisfied with their job. Additionally, these teachers reported being able to achieve balance in their career and that their family life did not interfere with work. These teachers were undecided as to whether work interfered with their family. It is recommended that further research be completed to understand why this and other studies reported teachers to be satisfied and efficacious, yet a high turnover of agriculture teachers exists. Teachers who excel at balancing teaching and their personal lives should be utilized as workshop presenters to assist other teachers in attaining balance.
Acceptability of rapid HIV diagnosis technology among primary healthcare practitioners in Spain

Abstract This study investigated the acceptability of rapid HIV testing among general practitioners (GP) and aimed to identify perceived barriers and needs in order to implement rapid testing in primary care settings. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed online to all members of the two largest Spanish scientific medical societies for family and community medicine. The study took place between 15 June 2012 and 31 October 2010. Completed questionnaires were returned by 1308 participants. The majority (90.8%) of respondents were GP. Among all respondents, 70.4% were aware of the existence of rapid tests for the diagnosis of HIV but they did not know how to use them. Nearly 80% of participants would be willing to offer rapid HIV testing in their practices and 74.7% would be confident of the result obtained by these tests. The barriers most commonly identified by respondents were a lack of time and a need for training, both in the use of rapid tests (44.3% and 56.4%, respectively) and required pre- and post-test counselling (59.2% and 34.5%, respectively). This study reveals a high level of acceptance and willingness on the part of GPs to offer rapid HIV testing in their practices. Nevertheless, the implementation of rapid HIV testing in primary care will not be possible without moving from comprehensive pre-test counselling towards brief pre-test information and improving training in the use of rapid tests.
Is HIT a hit? The impact of health information technology on inpatient hospital outcomes

ABSTRACT In an effort to eliminate inefficiencies in the US health care sector, policymakers have made a concerted effort to encourage hospitals and physicians to adopt health information technology (HIT) systems. Using a unique data set on HIT adoption and health outcomes in New York State, we conduct a hospital-level analysis identifying the impact of adopting HIT on inpatient outcomes (rates of adverse drug events and severity-adjusted mortality). Unlike previous studies, the patient population is not restricted to Medicare patients, but covers all ages and insurance types. After controlling for unobserved hospital quality and endogenous HIT adoption, our results suggest that a hospital’s severity-adjusted mortality decreases by 0.3 percentage points. When restricted to the Medicare patients, we find HIT adoption lowers a hospital’s severity-adjusted mortality rate by 0.5 percentage points. We find HIT to have no significant effect on the rate of ADEs.