Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Alter the Gut-Brain Communication

This study investigated the anatomical integrity of vagal innervation of the gastrointestinal tract following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operations. The retrograde tracer fast blue (FB) was injected into the stomach to label vagal neurons originating from nodose ganglion (NG) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Microglia activation was determined by quantifying changes in the fluorescent staining of hindbrain sections against an ionizing calcium adapter binding molecule 1 (Iba1). Reorganization of vagal afferents in the hindbrain was studied by fluorescent staining against isolectin 4 (IB4). The density of Iba1- and IB4-immunoreactivity was analyzed using Nikon Elements software. There was no difference in the number of FB-labeled neurons located in NG and DMV between VSG and VSG-sham rats. RYGB, but not RYGB-sham rats, showed a dramatic reduction in number of FB-labeled neurons located in the NG and DMV. VSG increased, while the RYGB operation decreased, the density of vagal afferents in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). The RYGB operation, but not the VSG procedure, significantly activated microglia in the NTS and DMV. Results of this study show that the RYGB, but not the VSG procedure, triggers microglia activation in vagal structures and remodels gut-brain communication.
Polycythaemia treated with nephrectomy

Unilateral renal cystic disease (URCD) is a rare, non-familial non-progressive renal disorder not associated with cysts in other organs in contrast to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Only 55 cases have been published in the world literature. Renal diseases are a well-recognized etiology of secondary erythrocytosis but not in URCD. We can present at case of URCD and secondary polycythaemia. Only one case with similar history has been reported, but in our case, the polycythaemia was confirmed by measuring the erythropoietin (EPO) level in the cyst fluid.
A micro electro-freezing chip used in the crystallization of aqueous solutions under AC electric field

It is well known that biomaterials contain quantities of water which is a polar dielectric, yielding polarization under electric field. It may affect the formation of ice crystal. Electric field has been brought into control the formation and growth of ice crystals to improve the efficiency of cryopreservation. This paper describes micro cross-comb electro-freezing chip that can be used in the crystallization experiments of aqueous solutions in the presence of AC electric field. The magnitude and distribution of electric field in micro electro-freezing chip were obtained by using finite element analysis. The result of simulation was quasi-uniform electric field. Furthermore, micro electro-freezing chips combined with microscope were used to observe the ice crystal of aqueous solution under AC electric field. According to the experimental result, the optimal parameters for electro-freezing can be found out.
Hyperglycemia–related mortality in critically ill patients varies with admission diagnosis*

Objectives: Hyperglycemia during critical illness is common and is associated with increased mortality. Intensive insulin therapy has improved outcomes in some, but not all, intervention trials. It is unclear whether the benefits of treatment differ among specific patient populations. The purpose of the study was to determine the association between hyperglycemia and risk– adjusted mortality in critically ill patients and in separate groups stratified by admission diagnosis. A secondary purpose was to determine whether mortality risk from hyperglycemia varies with intensive care unit type, length of stay, or diagnosed diabetes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: One hundred seventy-three U.S. medical, surgical, and cardiac intensive care units. Patients: Two hundred fifty-nine thousand and forty admissions from October 2002 to September 2005; unadjusted mortality rate, 11.2%. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: A two–level logistic regression model determined the relationship between glycemia and mortality. Age, diagnosis, comorbidities, and laboratory variables were used to calculate a predicted mortality rate, which was then analyzed with mean glucose to determine the association of hyperglycemia with hospital mortality. Hyperglycemia was associated with increased mortality independent of illness severity. Compared with normoglycemic individuals (70–110 mg/dL), adjusted odds of mortality (odds ratio, [95% confidence interval]) for mean glucose 111–145, 146–199, 200–300, and >300 mg/dL was 1.31 (1.26–1.36), 1.82 (1.74–1.90), 2.13 (2.03–2.25), and 2.85 (2.58–3.14), respectively. Furthermore, the adjusted odds of mortality related to hyperglycemia varied with admission diagnosis, demonstrating a clear association in some patients (acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, unstable angina, pulmonary embolism) and little or no association in others. Hyperglycemia was associated with increased mortality independent of intensive care unit type, length of stay, and diabetes. Conclusions: The association between hyperglycemia and mortality implicates hyperglycemia as a potentially harmful and correctable abnormality in critically ill patients. The finding that hyperglycemia–related risk varied with admission diagnosis suggests differences in the interaction between specific medical conditions and injury from hyperglycemia. The design and interpretation of future trials should consider the primary disease states of patients and the balance of medical conditions in the intensive care unit studied.
A key step to understanding paradigm shifts in e-learning: towards context-aware ubiquitous learning

Introduction Electronic learning (e-learning) has become widely accepted in both entirely online learning environments and in blended learning contexts (Mayadas, Bourne & Bacsich, 2009). In a broad sense, e-learning is used to describe the way people use an electronic device (usually a computer) with learning technology (LT; Rushby & Seabrook, 2008) to develop new knowledge and skills individually or collaboratively. Mobile devices with LT, such as PDAs, smart phones and portable computers, constitute various forms of wireless environments that foster two-way, real-time communications among users, as well as between the user and their context, and can have many functions to promote mobile learning (m-learning; Rushby, 2005). Since the early 2000s, new forms of mobile technology containing additional sensor devices have been providing new directions for technology-assisted learning, and this has led to context-aware ubiquitous learning (u-learning; Hwang, Wu & Chen, 2007; Yang, 2006), which enables users to interact and learn with sensors and radio frequency identification (RFID) embedded objects in their surroundings (Curtin, Kauffman & Riggins, 2007). Context-aware ubiquitous technology is continuing to develop and spread, and its applications have begun to influence learning in various fields and disciplines (de Jong, Specht & Koper, 2008).
Edwardsiella Comparative Phylogenomics Reveal the New Intra/Inter-Species Taxonomic Relationships, Virulence Evolution and Niche Adaptation Mechanisms

Edwardsiella bacteria are leading fish pathogens causing huge losses to aquaculture industries worldwide. E. tarda is a broad-host range pathogen that infects more than 20 species of fish and other animals including humans while E. ictaluri is host-adapted to channel catfish causing enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Thus, these two species consist of a useful comparative system for studying the intricacies of pathogen evolution. Here we present for the first time the phylogenomic comparisons of 8 genomes of E. tarda and E. ictaluri isolates. Genome-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that E. tarda could be separate into two kinds of genotypes (genotype I, EdwGI and genotype II, EdwGII) based on the sequence similarity. E. tarda strains of EdwGI were clustered together with the E. ictaluri lineage and showed low sequence conservation to E. tarda strains of EdwGII. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of 48 distinct Edwardsiella strains also supports the new taxonomic relationship of the lineages. We identified the type III and VI secretion systems (T3SS and T6SS) as well as iron scavenging related genes that fulfilled the criteria of a key evolutionary factor likely facilitating the virulence evolution and adaptation to a broad range of hosts in EdwGI E. tarda. The surface structure-related genes may underlie the adaptive evolution of E. ictaluri in the host specification processes. Virulence and competition assays of the null mutants of the representative genes experimentally confirmed their contributive roles in the evolution/niche adaptive processes. We also reconstructed the hypothetical evolutionary pathway to highlight the virulence evolution and niche adaptation mechanisms of Edwardsiella. This study may facilitate the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics for this under-studied pathogen.
PKC Differentially Translocates during Spaced and Massed Training in Aplysia

Learning is highly regulated by the pattern of training. In Aplysia, an important organism for the development of cellular and molecular models of learning, spaced versus massed application of the same stimulus leads to different forms of memory. A critical molecular step underlying memory is the serotonin (5HT)-mediated activation of the novel PKC Apl II. Here, we demonstrate that activation of PKC Apl II is highly sensitive to the pattern of 5HT application. Spaced applications downregulate PKC translocation through PKA signaling, whereas massed applications lead to persistent translocation of PKC. Differential regulation of PKC translocation is mediated by competing feedback mechanisms that act through protein synthesis. These studies elucidate a fundamental molecular difference between spaced and massed training protocols.
Spatial/Temporal Variations and Source Apportionment of VOCs Monitored at Community Scale in an Urban Area

This study aimed to characterize spatial/temporal variations of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a community-scale monitoring approach and identify the main sources of concern in Paterson, NJ, an urban area with mixed sources of VOCs. VOC samples were simultaneously collected from three local source-dominated (i.e., commercial, industrial, and mobile) sites in Paterson and one background site in Chester, NJ (located ∼58 km southwest of Paterson). Samples were collected using the EPA TO-15 method from midnight to midnight, one in every sixth day over one year. Among the 60 analyzed VOCs, ten VOCs (acetylene, benzene, dichloromethane, ethylbenzene, methyl ethyl ketone, styrene, toluene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, and p-dichlorobenzene) were selected to examine their spatial/temporal variations. All of the 10 VOCs in Paterson were significantly higher than the background site (p<0.01). Ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, and p-dichlorobenzene measured at the commercial site were significantly higher than the industrial/mobile sites (p<0.01). Seven VOCs (acetylene, benzene, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, styrene, toluene, and p-dichlorobenzene) were significantly different by season (p<0.05), that is, higher in cold seasons than in warm seasons. In addition, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene were significantly higher on weekdays than weekend days (p<0.05). These results are consistent with literature data, indicating the impact of anthropogenic VOC sources on air pollution in Paterson. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis was applied for 24-hour integrated VOC measurements in Paterson over one year and identified six contributing factors, including motor vehicle exhausts (20%), solvents uses (19%), industrial emissions (16%), mobile+stationery sources (12%), small shop emissions (11%), and others (22%). Additional locational analysis confirmed the identified sources were well matched with point sources located upwind in Paterson. The study demonstrated the community-scale monitoring approach can capture spatial variation of VOCs in an urban community with mixed VOC sources. It also provided robust data to identify major sources of concern in the community.
Automatic gait recognition using width vector mean

Gait recognition systems have recently attracted much interest from biometric researchers. In this work, we present an alternative gait representation of width vector profile. The proposed model-free gait representation, width vector mean, is defined by the arithmetic mean of width vector profiles obtained from a gait sequence. Different gait feature are extracted from the width vector mean such the downsampled width vector mean and the principal components of the width vector. To solve the classification problem, we use the Euclidean distance and a nearest neighbor (NN) approach. The Extensive experiments are carried out on the NLPR gait database to demonstrate the validity of the proposed gait representation.
Influences on the reduction of relative telomere length over 10 years in the population-based Bruneck Study: introduction of a well-controlled high-throughput assay.

BACKGROUND Telomeres play a key role in the maintenance of chromosome integrity. Short telomeres are linked to age-associated diseases and cancer. Our aim was to determine the decrease rate of relative telomere length (RTL) over 10 years and whether this rate was influenced by age, sex and smoking behaviour. METHODS We compared RTL in 510 sample pairs from the longitudinal population-based Bruneck Study, which were collected in 1995 and recollected in 2005, and additionally determined RTL from 159 participants who died during follow-up. RTL were determined by a high-throughput real-time PCR assay and by applying a mathematical model. RESULTS The telomeres shortened, on average, by 455 bp over 10 years. The RTL shortening rate was highly correlated with baseline RTL (r = 0.674, P < 0.001). Participants who died within the observed period had considerably shorter telomeres than those who survived (median RTL of 0.98 vs 1.49; P < 0.001). In contrast to previous studies, smoking behaviour had no influence on RTL and on telomere shortening. CONCLUSION This is the first comprehensive longitudinal study of individuals who were, on average, 60 at baseline, and who were re-evaluated 10 years later. Our methodology proved to be a reliable tool for a rapid, accurate and cost-efficient determination of RTL with a low amount of DNA.
Sleep–Immune System Interaction: Advantages and Challenges of Human Sleep Loss Model

Sleep and its functional interaction with immune system is well recognized (Majde and Krueger, 2005; Krueger and Majde, 2011). Sleep synchronized changes in brain activity are implicated in direct rather than indirect immune function (Bryant et al., 2004). Sleep or at least its homeostatic component has been suggested to have an active auto-regulatory and/or auto-modulatory mechanism (Krueger et al., 2008; Kumar, 2010). This mechanism operates through adenosine and other sleep regulating substances (SRSs) like interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), etc. These SRSs are most likely the connecting link between sleep and immune system (Krueger et al., 2008). The issue of peripheral cytokines affecting brain signaling in sleep has been reviewed comprehensively with three suggested routes for transfer of peripheral cytokines to the brain (Krueger and Majde, 2003). These routes may also be involved in transfer and hence in transmitting the signals from peripheral SRSs. Sleep–immune system co-relations has been investigated across a wide range of immune parameters out of which cytokines, immune cells, antibodies, and neuro-endocrine system constitute the focal group. Human sleep loss (SL) models have been of great help in mechanistic characterization of cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α role) in sleep and neuroendocrine components (GHRH and CRH) in non-REM sleep, respectively (Majde and Krueger, 2005; Krueger and Majde, 2011). The paradigm has helped establish sleep's functional characterization because of practical simplicity (Reynolds and Banks, 2010) and often non-ambiguous results. However, there may be certain limitations with SL model in context of result translation pertaining to different parameter patterns. The comment has been surmised to highlight these challenges which may give direction to future research in minimizing the variable factors. It may also help to compare the results from available literature objectively.
Distinct Pools of cdc25C Are Phosphorylated on Specific TP Sites and Differentially Localized in Human Mitotic Cells

Background The dual specificity phosphatase cdc25C was the first human cdc25 family member found to be essential in the activation of cdk1/cyclin B1 that takes place at the entry into mitosis. Human cdc25C is phosphorylated on Proline-dependent SP and TP sites when it becomes active at mitosis and the prevalent model is that this phosphorylation/activation of cdc25C would be part of an amplification loop with cdk1/cyclin B1. Methodology/Principal Findings Using highly specific antibodies directed against cdc25C phospho-epitopes, pT67 and pT130, we show here that these two phospho-forms of cdc25C represent distinct pools with differential localization during human mitosis. Phosphorylation on T67 occurs from prophase and the cdc25C-pT67 phospho-isoform closely localizes with condensed chromosomes throughout mitosis. The phospho-T130 form of cdc25C arises in late G2 and associates predominantly with centrosomes from prophase to anaphase B where it colocalizes with Plk1. As shown by immunoprecipitation of each isoform, these two phospho-forms are not simultaneously phosphorylated on the other mitotic TP sites or associated with one another. Phospho-T67 cdc25C co-precipitates with MPM2-reactive proteins while pT130-cdc25C is associated with Plk1. Interaction and colocalization of phosphoT130-cdc25C with Plk1 demonstrate in living cells, that the sequence around pT130 acts as a true Polo Box Domain (PBD) binding site as previously identified from in vitro peptide screening studies. Overexpression of non-phosphorylatable alanine mutant forms for each isoform, but not wild type cdc25C, strongly impairs mitotic progression showing the functional requirement for each site-specific phosphorylation of cdc25C at mitosis. Conclusions/Significance These results show for the first time that in human mitosis, distinct phospho-isoforms of cdc25C exist with different localizations and interacting partners, thus implying that the long-standing model of a cdc25C/cdk1 multi-site auto amplification loop is implausible.
Pharmacological control of opioid-induced pruritus: a quantitative systematic review of randomized trials

Background and objective Numerous drugs have been used to prevent or to treat opioid-induced pruritus in the surgical setting. Their relative efficacy is not well understood. Methods The methods employed involved the systematic search (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, bibliographies, without language restriction, up to June 2000) for full reports of randomized comparisons of any intervention which is thought to be anti-pruritic (active) compared with placebo or no treatment (control) in surgical (including labour) patients receiving opioids. The number of patients who had no pruritus were analysed using relative risk and number-needed-to-treat with 95% confidence interval. Results Twenty-two trials (1477 patients) were analysed. Two trials (66 patients), both with low-dose propofol, were on treatment of established pruritus; propofol had no anti-pruritic effect compared with Intralipid. In prophylaxis trials, the average incidence of pruritus with control was 59% (range, 10% to 100%). Most mu-receptor antagonists were efficacious: intravenous naloxone 0.25–2.4 µg kg−1 h−1, relative risk 2.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 3.54), number-needed-to-treat to prevent pruritus compared with control 3.5; oral naltrexone 9 mg, relative risk 2.80 (1.35–5.80), number-needed-to-treat 1.7; naltrexone 6 mg was less effective and 3 mg did not work; different intravenous and epidural nalbuphine regimens, relative risk 1.71 (1.12–2.62), number-needed-to-treat 4.2. Intravenous nalmefene 0.5 or 1 mg was not anti-pruritic. Intravenous (but not epidural) droperidol 2.5 mg was efficacious, relative risk, 1.71 (1.28–2.29), number-needed-to-treat 4.9. There was a lack of evidence for any anti-pruritic efficacy with prophylactic propofol, epidural or intrathecal epinephrine, epidural clonidine, epidural prednisone, intravenous ondansetron, or intramuscular hydroxyzine. Conclusion Naloxone, naltrexone, nalbuphine and droperidol are efficacious in the prevention of opioid-induced pruritus; minimal effective doses remain unknown. There is a lack of valid data on the efficacy of interventions for the treatment of established pruritus.
The Role of Angry Rumination and Distraction in Blood Pressure Recovery From Emotional Arousal

Objective: Cardiovascular recovery of prestress baseline blood pressure has been implicated as a possible additional determinant of sustained blood pressure elevation. We hypothesize that angry ruminations may slow the recovery process. Method: A within-subjects design was used in which resting baseline blood pressure and heart rate measurements were assessed on 60 subjects, who then took part in two anger-recall tasks. After each task, subjects sat quietly and alone during a 12-minute recovery period randomized to with or without distractions. During baseline, task, and recovery, blood pressure was continuously monitored; during recovery, subjects reported their thoughts at five fixed intervals. Results: Fewer angry thoughts were reported in the distraction condition (17%) compared with no distraction (31%; p = .002); an interaction showed that this effect was largely the result of the two intervals immediately after the anger-recall task. Trait rumination interacted with distraction condition such that high ruminators in the no-distraction condition evidenced the poorest blood pressure recovery, assessed as area under the curve (p = .044 [systolic blood pressure] and p = .046 [diastolic pressure]). Conclusions: People who have a tendency to ruminate about past anger-provoking events may be at greater risk for target organ damage as a result of sustained blood pressure elevations; the effect is exacerbated when distractions are not available to interrupt the ruminative process. ANOVA = analysis of variance; AUC = area under the curve; BP = blood pressure; HTN = hypertension; CHD = coronary heart disease; CVR = cardiovascular reactivity; CVD = cardiovascular disease; HR = heart rate; DAB-VR = Destructive Anger Behavior-Verbal Rumination; DBP = diastolic BP; HPA = hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; SBP = systolic BP.
Essays on Development, Ownership Structure, and Agriculture

This thesis examines how ownership structure and climate change issues affect farmers in developing countries in three chapters. The first chapter surveys the theoretical and empirical literature on how ownership structure and industry competitiveness interact. The second chapter examines the role of sugar mill ownership and regulations on farmers in one region of India. The third chapter studies how climate change has affected agricultural yields over a 50-year period in India, accounting for the role that farmer adaptations may play in mitigating these effects. This thesis finds substantial ownership effects on farmer outcomes, due ultimately to the unexpected ways in which regulatory restrictions affect the incentives of privately-owned firms. It does not find that climate change impacted crop yields during the period of study, perhaps due to farmer adaptations that mitigated any adverse climate effects.