Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthases Abrogates Pregnancy-Induced Uterine Vascular Expansive Remodeling

Background/Aims: It was the aim of this study to test the hypothesis that hypertension and/or inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthases alters uterine vascular remodeling during pregnancy. Methods: Using a model of hypertension (NO synthase inhibition with L-NAME) in nonpregnant and pregnant rats, comparisons were made with age-matched controls, as well as with animals receiving hydralazine along with L-NAME to maintain normotension in the presence of NO synthase inhibition. Circumferential and axial remodeling of large (main uterine, MUA) and small (premyometrial radial) arteries were quantified and compared. Results:L-NAME treatment prevented expansive circumferential remodeling of the MUA; cotreatment with hydralazine was without effect. Circumferential remodeling of smaller premyometrial radial arteries was also significantly attenuated in hypertensive pregnant animals, while premyometrial radial arteries from rats receiving hydralazine with L-NAME were of intermediate diameter. Neither hypertension nor NO synthase inhibition had any effect on the substantial (200–300%) axial growth of MUA or premyometrial radial arteries. Conclusion: NO plays a major role in facilitating pregnancy-induced expansive remodeling in the uterine circulation, particularly in larger arteries. Some beneficial effects of hydralazine on expansive circumferential remodeling were noted in smaller radial vessels, and these may be linked to its prevention of systemic hypertension and/or to local effects on the arterial wall. Neither NO synthase inhibition nor hypertension had any effect on arterial longitudinal growth.
Relationships between biochemical bone metabolism indices and morphometric, densitometric and mechanical properties of mandible in 6-month-old pigs.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Mandible is used as a bone model for monitoring bone tissue responses to various factors influencing skeletal homeostasis. Considering the lack of experimental data on interrelationships between bone metabolism indices and morphometric, densitometric and mechanical properties of mandible, the aim of this study was to perform such an evaluation in 6-month-old pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Quantitative computed tomography was used to determine bone volume, mean volumetric bone mineral density, cortical bone density and cortical bone area. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bone mineral density and bone mineral content were measured for ramus, body and whole jaw. In the three-point bending test, maximum elastic strength and ultimate strength of jaw was determined. Assessment of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), parathormone (PTH), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type-I (CTX) in blood was performed. RESULTS Statistically significant correlations in relation to the investigated traits of the jaw were found in the case of ALP, OC, CTX, GH and IGF-1. Significant correlations of ALP activity, OC and IGF-1 concentrations with final body weight were stated (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study shows the highest predictive value of ALP activity determination in relation to assessment of morphological, densitometric and biomechanical properties of mandible. Evaluation of Ca, P, Mg, BAP and PTH has not confirmed its significance for morphological, densitometric and biomechanical properties prediction in the jaw of pigs. ALP activity, OC and IGF-1 concentrations would be prognostic for body weight prediction.
An organic database system

The pervasive penetration of database technology may suggest that we have reached the end of the database research era. The contrary is true. Emerging technology, in hardware, software, and connectivity, brings a wealth of opportunities to push technology to a new level of maturity. Furthermore, ground breaking results are obtained in Quantum- and DNA-computing using nature as inspiration for its computational models. This paper provides a vision on a new brand of database architectures, i.e. an Organic Database System where a large collection of connected, autonomous data cells implement a semantic meaningful store/recall information system. It explores the analogy of a biological complex to charter the contours of this research vision. A concrete computational model is defined and illustrated by examples as a step into this direction.
Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) rs662 Polymorphism and Its Association with Serum Lipid Levels and Longevity in the Bama Zhuang Population

Background The present study was performed to identify the association of PON1 rs662 polymorphism with serum lipid levels and human longevity in the Bama Zhuang population. Material/Methods PON1 genotypes were determined by Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays in 110 long-lived inhabitants (longevity group, aged 90–110 years), 110 healthy inhabitants in Bama County (control 1 group, aged 43–82 years) and 110 healthy inhabitants in Nandan County (control 2 group, aged 28–82 years) without family history of longevity. Results BMI (body mass index) and TG (serum total triglyceride) level were lower in the longevity group than in the two control groups, while the contents of serum LDL-c (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and HDL-c (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and the levels of SBP (systolic blood pressure) and DBP (diastolic blood pressure) in the longevity group were higher than in the two control groups (p<0.01). Significant differences in the frequencies of three genotypes (GG, AG, and AA) were observed between the longevity group and control 2 group (χ2=15.190, p=0.001). The minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs662 was significantly higher in the longevity group than in the two control groups. The levels of HDL-c in the longevity group were different among the three genotypes (p<0.05). The levels of TG for GG and GG+AG genotypes were significantly different, while the levels of TC (total cholesterol) and HDL-c for AG and GG+AG genotypes were significantly different among the three groups (p<0.05). Serum lipid parameters were correlated with several environmental factors, including age, gender, DBP, SBP, and BMI. The association of PON1 rs662 polymorphism and serum lipid levels was different among the three groups. Conclusions PON1 polymorphism might be one of the genetic factors of longevity in the Bama Zhuang population. The PON1 rs662 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) was associated with serum HDL-c levels in the longevity group.
A more precise characterization of chaperonin substrates

MOTIVATION Molecular chaperones prevent the aggregation of their substrate proteins and thereby ensure that they reach their functional native state. The bacterial GroEL/ES chaperonin system is understood in great detail on a structural, mechanistic and functional level; its interactors in Escherichia coli have been identified and characterized. However, a long-standing question in the field is: What makes a protein a chaperone substrate? RESULTS Here we identify, using a bioinformatics-based approach a simple set of quantities, which characterize the GroEL-substrate proteome. We define three novel parameters differentiating GroEL interactors from other cellular proteins: lower rate of evolution, hydrophobicity and aggregation propensity. Combining them with other known features to a simple Bayesian predictor allows us to identify known homologous and heterologous GroEL substrateproteins. We discuss our findings in relation to established mechanisms of protein folding and evolutionary buffering by chaperones.
Posterior Teeth Occlusion Associated with Cognitive Function in Nursing Home Older Residents: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Early detection and subsequent reduction of modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline is important for extending healthy life expectancy in the currently aging society. Although a recent increase in studies on the state or number of the teeth and cognitive function, few studies have focused on the association between posterior teeth occlusion necessary to maintain chewing function and cognitive function among older adults. This study examined the association between posterior teeth occlusion and cognitive function in nursing home older residents. In this cross-sectional study, 279 residents aged ≥60 years from eight nursing homes in Aso City, Japan participated in cognitive function and dental status assessments and completed a comprehensive questionnaire survey in 2014. Cognitive function was measured using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Posterior teeth occlusion was assessed using a total number of functional tooth units (total-FTUs), depending on the number and location of the remaining natural and artificial teeth on implant-supported, fixed, and removable prostheses. Linear regression models were used to assess univariate and multivariate associations between total-FTUs and MMSE scores. Models were sequentially adjusted for demographic characteristics, number of natural teeth, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, comorbidities, physical function, and nutritional status. Among the 200 residents included in our analysis, mean MMSE scores and total-FTUs were 11.0 ± 8.6 and 9.3 ± 4.6, respectively. Higher total-FTUs were significantly associated with higher MMSE scores after adjustment for demographics and teeth number (B = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.22–0.74). The association remained significant even after adjustment for all covariates (B = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.01–0.49). The current findings demonstrated that loss of posterior teeth occlusion was independently associated with cognitive decline in nursing home older residents in Japan. Maintenance and restoration of posterior teeth occlusion may be a preventive factor against cognitive decline in aged populations.
Protein Supplementation Does Not Further Increase Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy after Eight Weeks of Resistance Training in Novice Subjects, but Partially Counteracts the Fast-to-Slow Muscle Fiber Transition

The response to resistance training and protein supplementation in the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) has never been investigated. We investigated the effects of resistance training (RT) and protein supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and fiber characteristics of the LDM. Eighteen healthy young subjects were randomly assigned to a progressive eight-week RT program with a normal protein diet (NP) or high protein diet (HP) (NP 0.85 vs. HP 1.8 g of protein·kg−1·day−1). One repetition maximum tests, magnetic resonance imaging for cross-sectional muscle area (CSA), body composition, and single muscle fibers mechanical and phenotype characteristics were measured. RT induced a significant gain in strength (+17%, p < 0.0001), whole muscle CSA (p = 0.024), and single muscle fibers CSA (p < 0.05) of LDM in all subjects. Fiber isometric force increased in proportion to CSA (+22%, p < 0.005) and thus no change in specific tension occurred. A significant transition from 2X to 2A myosin expression was induced by training. The protein supplementation showed no significant effects on all measured outcomes except for a smaller reduction of 2X myosin expression. Our results suggest that in LDM protein supplementation does not further enhance RT-induced muscle fiber hypertrophy nor influence mechanic muscle fiber characteristics but partially counteracts the fast-to-slow fiber shift.
Electron probe analysis of calcium transport by small intestine

Calcium transport in small intestine of rat and chick has been studied at the cellular level using the electron probe X-ray microanalyzer. Tissues were examined directly after removal as well as after incubation in a calcium solution. In both preparations, discrete calcium localizations were found associated with intracellular and extracellular goblet cell mucus. The in vitro preparations showed calcium in transit across the absorptive epithelium in discrete localizations. Although the primary path of transport was along lateral cell borders, some localizations were found in the cytoplasm in a supranuclear position. The effect of vitamin D depletion and repletion was to decrease and increase, respectively, the number of calcium localizations in transit across the epithelium. These results suggest that calcium is transported while in a sequestered form and indicate that goblet cell mucus plays a role in this transport process.
Sugar and space? Not the case: Effects of low blood glucose on slant estimation are mediated by beliefs

There is a current debate concerning whether people's physiological or behavioral potential alters their perception of slanted surfaces. One way to directly test this is to physiologically change people's potential by lowering their blood sugar and comparing their estimates of slant to those with normal blood sugar. In the first investigation of this (Schnall, Zadra, & Proffitt, 2010), it was shown that people with low blood sugar gave higher estimates of slanted surfaces than people with normal blood sugar. The question that arises is whether these higher estimates are due to lower blood sugar, per se, or experimental demand created by other aspects of the experiment. Here evidence was collected from 120 observers showing that directly manipulating physiological potential, while controlling for experimental demand effects, does not alter the perception of slant. Indeed, when experimental demand went against behavioral potential, it produced judgmental biases opposite to those predicted by behavioral potential in the low blood sugar condition. It is suggested that low blood sugar only affects slant judgments by making participants more susceptible to judgmental biases.
A metrics system for the performance measurement of online distribution channels of multi-channel retailers

The Internet changed from a pure information media to a distribution channel, challenging companies in measuring the performance of their online distribution channels. Multi-channel retailers are particularly concerned since they need to coordinate their efforts with traditional, offline retailing activities. The paper at hand presents a corresponding metrics system derived from literature and a Delphi study, allowing for comparability with offline channels.
Adverse Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes Associated with a Life-Long High Fat Diet: Role of Altered Development of the Placental Vasculature

Maternal obesity results in a number of obstetrical and fetal complications with both immediate and long-term consequences. The increased prevalence of obesity has resulted in increasing numbers of women of reproductive age in this high-risk group. Since many of these obese women have been subjected to hypercaloric diets from early childhood we have developed a rodent model of life-long maternal obesity to more clearly understand the mechanisms that contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in obese women. Female Sprague Dawley rats were fed a control diet (CON - 16% of calories from fat) or high fat diet (HF - 45% of calories from fat) from 3 to 19 weeks of age. Prior to pregnancy HF-fed dams exhibited significant increases in body fat, serum leptin and triglycerides. A subset of dams was sacrificed at gestational day 15 to evaluate fetal and placental development. The remaining animals were allowed to deliver normally. HF-fed dams exhibited a more than 3-fold increase in fetal death and decreased neonatal survival. These outcomes were associated with altered vascular development in the placenta, as well as increased hypoxia in the labyrinth. We propose that the altered placental vasculature may result in reduced oxygenation of the fetal tissues contributing to premature demise and poor neonatal survival.
Biofilm Formation by Helicobacter pylori and Its Involvement for Antibiotic Resistance

Bacterial biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to a surface. Biofilm formation is critical not only for environmental survival but also for successful infection. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of bacterial infection in humans. Some studies demonstrated that this microorganism has biofilm forming ability in the environment and on human gastric mucosa epithelium as well as on in vitro abiotic surfaces. In the environment, H. pylori could be embedded in drinking water biofilms through water distribution system in developed and developing countries so that the drinking water may serve as a reservoir for H. pylori infection. In the human stomach, H. pylori forms biofilms on the surface of gastric mucosa, suggesting one possible explanation for eradication therapy failure. Finally, based on the results of in vitro analyses, H. pylori biofilm formation can decrease susceptibility to antibiotics and H. pylori antibiotic resistance mutations are more frequently generated in biofilms than in planktonic cells. These observations indicated that H. pylori biofilm formation may play an important role in preventing and controlling H. pylori infections. Therefore, investigation of H. pylori biofilm formation could be effective in elucidating the detailed mechanisms of infection and colonization by this microorganism.
Time Variation of the Electron Mass in the Early Universe and the Barrow-Magueijo Model

We put limits on the time variation of the electron mass in the early universe using observational primordial abundances of D , 4He , and 7Li , recent data from the cosmic microwave background, and the 2dFGRS power spectrum. Furthermore, we use these constraints together with other astronomical and geophysical bounds from the late universe to test the Barrow-Magueijo model for the variation in me. From our analysis we obtain –0.615 < Gω/c4 < − 0.045 (3 σ interval), in disagreement with the result obtained in the original paper.
Teacher Stress and Social Support Usage

In this paper, we explore how the frequency of utilization of social supports is related to teacher demographics, stress factors, job satisfaction, career intent, career commitment, and the perception of a stigma attached to teacher stress. Using data from self-report questionnaires (N= 264) from teachers in northern Ontario, we found that teachers seldom spoke to their health care providers about stress and instead utilized family, friends, fellow teachers, and sometimes their principals. The frequency of which teachers accessed different social support networks did vary depending on stressor (workload, student behaviour, professional relationships, societal attitudes, and employment conditions). Teachers who frequently talked to their friends about stress had a lower sense of career intent and career commitment. Males were less likely to talk to their various social supports about stress. This study adds to the literature by exploring the frequency of contact with and usage of social supports and their impact on teacher stress and perspectives on teaching.
Step-tracking movements of the wrist. IV. Muscle activity associated with movements in different directions.

We examined the patterns of muscle activity associated with multiple directions of step-tracking movements of the wrist in humans and monkeys. Human subjects made wrist movements to 12 different targets that required varying amounts of flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation. Wrist muscles displayed two patterns of electromyographic (EMG) modulation as movement direction changed: amplitude graded and temporally shifted. The amplitude-graded pattern was characterized by modulation of the quantity of muscle activity that occurred during two distinct time periods, an agonist burst interval that began before movement onset and an antagonist burst interval that began just after movement onset. The timing of muscle activity over the two intervals showed little variation with changes in movement direction. For some directions of movement, EMG activity was present over both time intervals, resulting in "double bursts. " Modulation of activity during the agonist burst interval was particularly systematic and was well fit by a cosine function. In contrast, the temporally shifted pattern was characterized by a gradual change in the timing of a single burst of muscle activity. The burst occurred at a time intermediate between the agonist and antagonist burst intervals. The temporally shifted pattern was seen less frequently than the amplitude-graded pattern and was present only in selected wrist muscles for specific directions of movement. Monkeys made wrist movements to 8-16 different targets that required varying amounts of flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation. These movements were performed more slowly than those of human subjects. The wrist muscles of the monkeys we examined displayed the amplitude-graded pattern of activity but not the temporally shifted pattern. Stimulation of individual wrist muscles in monkeys resulted in wrist movements that were markedly curved, particularly for the wrist extensors. These results indicate that step-tracking movements of the wrist are generated mainly by using the amplitude-graded pattern to modulate muscle activity. We propose that this pattern reflects a central process that decomposes an intended movement into an agonist, "propulsive" component and an antagonist, "braking" component. Separate bursts of muscle activity then are generated to control each component. On the other hand, we argue that the temporally shifted pattern may function to reduce the amount of movement curvature associated with the activation of wrist muscles.
Motivational place attachment dimensions and the pro-environmental behaviour intention of mass tourists: a moderated mediation model

As a majority of tourist group, the pro-environmental psychological mechanism of mass tourists has not been investigated adequately. Deepening one core facet of the model of goal-directed behaviour, this study investigates the relationships among attitude (i.e. place attachment dimensions), desire, intention and mass tourism value orientation to expound the pro-environmental mentality of mass tourists. Questionnaires were collected from 865 domestic mass tourists visiting Sanya, China. The results partially confirm the validity of the explanation model and delineate the pro-environmental motivating nuance of each place attachment dimension. Place affect and place dependence both significantly motivate the environmental activation of mass tourists. While the motivating effect of the former is rather solid, it is vulnerable to moderation when it comes to the latter. Place identity unexpectedly plays a negative motivating role. The implications of the research findings are discussed.
Local Linear Regression for Generalized Linear Models with Missing Data

Fan, Heckman and Wand (1995) proposed locally weighted kernel polynomial regression methods for generalized linear models and quasilikelihood functions. When the covariate variables are missing at random, we propose a weighted estimator based on the inverse selection probability weights. Distribution theory is derived when the selection probabilities are estimated nonparametrically. We show that the asymptotic variance of the resulting nonparametric estimator of the mean function in the main regression model is the same as that when the selection probabilities are known, while the biases are generally different. This is different from results in parametric problems, where it is known that estimating weights actually decreases asymptotic variance. To reconcile the difference between the parametric and nonparametric problems, we obtain a second-order variance result for the nonparametric case. We generalize this result to local estimating equations. Finite sample performance is examined via simulation studies. The proposed method is demonstrated via an analysis of data from a casecontrol study.