Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compartmentalised energy metabolism supporting glutamatergic neurotransmission in response to increased activity in the rat cerebral cortex: A 13C MRS study in vivo at 14.1 T

Many tissues exhibit metabolic compartmentation. In the brain, while there is no doubt on the importance of functional compartmentation between neurons and glial cells, there is still debate on the specific regulation of pathways of energy metabolism at different activity levels. Using 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in vivo, we determined fluxes of energy metabolism in the rat cortex under α-chloralose anaesthesia at rest and during electrical stimulation of the paws. Compared to resting metabolism, the stimulated rat cortex exhibited increased glutamate–glutamine cycle (+67 nmol/g/min, +95%, P < 0.001) and tricarboxylic (TCA) cycle rate in both neurons (+62 nmol/g/min, +12%, P < 0.001) and astrocytes (+68 nmol/g/min, +22%, P = 0.072). A minor, non-significant modification of the flux through pyruvate carboxylase was observed during stimulation (+5 nmol/g/min, +8%). Altogether, this increase in metabolism amounted to a 15% (67 nmol/g/min, P < 0.001) increase in CMRglc(ox), i.e. the oxidative fraction of the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose. In conclusion, stimulation of the glutamate–glutamine cycle under α-chloralose anaesthesia is associated to similar enhancement of neuronal and glial oxidative metabolism.
Limited Overlap Between Intermediate Hyperglycemia as Defined by A1C 5.7–6.4%, Impaired Fasting Glucose, and Impaired Glucose Tolerance

OBJECTIVE We compared the prevalences and overlap between intermediate hyperglycemia (IH), defined by a hemoglobin A1c (A1C) 5.7–6.4%, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Oral glucose tolerance test results and A1C measurements were evaluated as markers of IH in an unselected cohort of 486 nondiabetic adults from Finland. RESULTS The overall prevalence of IH was 34%. Prevalences of isolated A1C 5.7–6.4%, IGT, and IFG were 8.0, 13.2, and 4.5%, respectively. Overlap between these three markers was uncommon. Isolated A1C 5.7–6.4% was associated with a higher BMI compared with isolated IFG and IGT and with a more adverse lipid profile compared with isolated IFG. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of isolated IH was high, with limited overlap between the definitions. Differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors were observed among the groups. This study demonstrates that an A1C of 5.7–6.4% detects, in part, different individuals with IH compared with IFG and IGT.
Learning Alters the Tuning of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Patterns for Visual Forms

Learning is thought to facilitate the recognition of objects by optimizing the tuning of visual neurons to behaviorally relevant features. However, the learning mechanisms that shape neural selectivity for visual forms in the human brain remain essentially unknown. Here, we combine behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements to test the mechanisms that mediate enhanced behavioral sensitivity in the discrimination of visual forms after training. In particular, we used high-resolution fMRI and multivoxel pattern classification methods to investigate fine learning-dependent changes in neural preference for global forms. We measured the observers' choices when discriminating between concentric and radial patterns presented in noise before and after training. Similarly, we measured the choices of a pattern classifier when predicting each stimulus from fMRI activity. Comparing the performance of human observers and classifiers demonstrated that learning alters the observers' sensitivity to visual forms and the tuning of fMRI activation patterns in visual areas selective for task-relevant features. In particular, training on low-signal stimuli enhanced the amplitude but reduced the width of pattern-based tuning functions in higher dorsal and ventral visual areas. Thus, our findings suggest that learning of visual patterns is implemented by enhancing the response to the preferred stimulus category and reducing the response to nonpreferred stimuli in higher extrastriate visual cortex.
Impact of calendering on coating structures

Calendering is widely used to enhance the smoothness and gloss of coated papers. However, in addition to the smoothening effect, calendering can also cause compression of the coating layer, and this affects the optical and ink-setting properties. The objective of this study was to determine how, and to what extent, calendering affects the structure of pigmented paper coatings. As expected, the gloss increased with increasing temperature or increasing load, but calendering also caused a significant reduction in the pore volume (up to 45%) and in the average pore size (up to 40%). Clay coatings collapsed more than calcium carbonate coatings, because of the collapse of pigment bridges and the re-orientation of clay particles. Higher latex content led to greater compression during calendering. To explain these observed effects, a mechanistic explanation is proposed which takes into account pigment re-arrangement and the lubricating role of latex under high temperature and high load.
An investigation of gender differences in alcohol-related aggression.

OBJECTIVE The majority of the research on alcohol-related aggression has been conducted on men. This bias has persisted despite mounting evidence indicating gender differences in aggression. As such, the purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in alcohol-related aggression. METHOD Subjects were 64 men and 64 women who competed against either male or female fictitious opponents on a modified version of the Taylor aggression paradigm in which electric shocks were received from and administered to a fictitious opponent during a competitive task. Aggression was operationalized as the intensity and duration of the shocks selected by the subjects. Subjects were assigned to either an alcohol, a placebo or a sober group. RESULTS Alcohol increased both shock intensity and duration in men; however, it only increased shock duration in women. Men behaved more aggressively toward men, whereas women displayed equal levels of aggression toward both genders. Alcohol expectancies did not appear to have an effect on aggressive behavior for either gender. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this investigation indicate that alcohol differentially affects aggressive responding in men and women. It is suggested that men are likely to express alcohol-related aggression in direct (shock intensity) and indirect (shock duration) forms, whereas women are most likely to use indirect forms (shock duration).
Swarming of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is Controlled by a Broad Spectrum of Transcriptional Regulators, Including MetR

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits swarming motility on semisolid surfaces (0.5 to 0.7% agar). Swarming is a more than just a form of locomotion and represents a complex adaptation resulting in changes in virulence gene expression and antibiotic resistance. In this study, we used a comprehensive P. aeruginosa PA14 transposon mutant library to investigate how the complex swarming adaptation process is regulated. A total of 233 P. aeruginosa PA14 transposon mutants were verified to have alterations in swarming motility. The swarming-associated genes functioned not only in flagellar or type IV pilus biosynthesis but also in processes as diverse as transport, secretion, and metabolism. Thirty-three swarming-deficient and two hyperswarming mutants had transposon insertions in transcriptional regulator genes, including genes encoding two-component sensors and response regulators; 27 of these insertions were newly identified. Of the 25 regulatory mutants whose swarming motility was highly impaired (79 to 97%), only 1 (a PA1458 mutant) had a major defect in swimming, suggesting that this regulator might influence flagellar synthesis or function. Twitching motility, which requires type IV pili, was strongly affected in only two regulatory mutants (pilH and PA2571 mutants) and was moderately affected in three other mutants (algR, ntrB, and nosR mutants). Microarray analyses were performed to compare the gene expression profile of a swarming-deficient PA3587 mutant to that of the wild-type PA14 strain under swarming conditions. PA3587 showed 63% homology to metR, which encodes a regulator of methionine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. The observed dysregulation in the metR mutant of nine different genes required for swarming motility provided a possible explanation for the swarming-deficient phenotype of this mutant.
High temperature material properties of IN738LC processed by selective laser melting (SLM) technology

Purpose – Selective laser melting (SLM) is being investigated by Alstom and IWF due to its flexibility, cost‐ and lead‐time reduction potential for reconditioning of hot gas path components used in today's heavy‐duty gas turbines. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approach – Tensile tests as well as relaxation and creep tests were carried out to assess SLM processed IN738LC for use in high temperature applications. To evaluate potential anisotropic material behaviour resulting from the layer‐wise build up process, all specimens were built in two directions: parallel and perpendicular to the build direction, respectively. Furthermore, extensive metallurgical investigations were made to analyse the chemical homogeneity as well as the correlation between microstructure and high temperature properties of SLM processed IN738LC.Findings – Tensile tests showed that strength properties superior to cast IN738LC can be achieved by processing this material by SLM alternatively. Due to differen.
Neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica-IgG seropositivity in Saudis with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system

Background and Objective: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) shares certain features with multiple sclerosis (MS). Similar phenotypes, wide spectrum and the differential prevalence of NMO among ethnic backgrounds pose diagnostic challenges. NMO-IgG antibodies are specific biomarker for NMO and facilitate its differentiation from other demyelinating diseases. This study aimed to assess the frequency of NMO and NMO-IgG seropositivity in Saudi patients with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. Methods: One hundred and four patients from neurology database at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh underwent clinical and laboratory examination, neuroimaging and NMO-IgG antibodies screening. Results: The mean age at presentation was 32 (±9) years and there was an excess of females (female:male – 3:1). The mean duration of illness was 4.6 (±3.2) years. During the illness, 48.1% of patients had clinical evidence of spinal cord involvement, 29.8% had optic neuritis and 14.4% had both features. A large majority (75.8%) of brain lesions fulfilled MRI criteria for MS and 17% had lesions extending over ≥3 vertebral segments. NMO-IgG antibodies were present in only one patient – a frequency of 0.96% in our study cohort. Conclusion: Prevalence of NMO and NMO-IgG seropositivity is rare in Saudis with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. Hence, routine NMO-IgG testing is likely to have a low diagnostic yield.
The importance of stereochemically active lone pairs for influencing Pb(II) and As(III) protein binding.

The toxicity of heavy metals, which is associated with the high affinity of the metals for thiolate rich proteins, constitutes a problem worldwide. However, despite this tremendous toxicity concern, the binding mode of As(III) and Pb(II) to proteins is poorly understood. To clarify the requirements for toxic metal binding to metalloregulatory sensor proteins such as As(III) in ArsR/ArsD and Pb(II) in PbrR or replacing Zn(II) in δ-aminolevulinc acid dehydratase (ALAD), we have employed computational and experimental methods examining the binding of these heavy metals to designed peptide models. The computational results show that the mode of coordination of As(III) and Pb(II) is greatly influenced by the steric bulk within the second coordination environment of the metal. The proposed basis of this selectivity is the large size of the ion and, most important, the influence of the stereochemically active lone pair in hemidirected complexes of the metal ion as being crucial. The experimental data show that switching a bulky leucine layer above the metal binding site by a smaller alanine residue enhances the Pb(II) binding affinity by a factor of five, thus supporting experimentally the hypothesis of lone pair steric hindrance. These complementary approaches demonstrate the potential importance of a stereochemically active lone pair as a metal recognition mode in proteins and, specifically, how the second coordination sphere environment affects the affinity and selectivity of protein targets by certain toxic ions.
Clastogen-Induced Chromosomal Breakage Analysis of Suspected Fanconis Anemia Cases of Kashmir, North India

Clastogen induced chromosome breakage analysis is widely used for the differential diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia. Mitomycin-C (MMC) induced chromosome fragility test was performed on the cultured lymphocytes of 50 children with clinical suspicion of Fanconi's anemia. According to the results of the MMC test, the patients were divided into two subgroups: FA displaying typical sensitivity to MMC and non FA. The present study revealed 7(14%) of examined patients to have a FA cellular phenotype with increased MMC-induced chromosome fragility. The percentage of MMC-induced aberrant cells was increased more than 36 times in FA patients (Mean=67.14%) when compared to non FA patients (Mean=1.82). The number of MMC-induced breaks/cells was more than 09 times higher in FA patients (Mean=2.42 breaks/cell) when compared to non FA patients (Mean=0.25 breaks/cells). Our results indicate that the clastogen induced sensitivity test is a reliable in vitro method for verification of the FA cellular phenotype. The study being the first of its kind from Kashmir (North India) lays the basis for further studies on patients of this region with a clinical suspicion of FA.
Positive feedback regulation between MMP-9 and VEGF in human RPE cells.

PURPOSE The proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is involved in pathologic angiogenesis in the eye. However, it is unknown whether MMPs may stimulate the production of the major angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The authors investigated whether MMP-2 and MMP-9 alter the expression of VEGF by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. They also sought to determine the effects of MMPs on cellular proliferation and migration and the effect of triamcinolone acetonide on MMP-9-evoked cellular responses. METHODS Human RPE cell cultures were stimulated with MMP-2 or MMP-9. The gene expression and secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF were determined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Cellular proliferation was investigated with a bromodeoxyuridine immunoassay, and chemotaxis was examined with a Boyden chamber assay. RESULTS Under control conditions, RPE cells in vitro expressed a significantly higher amount of mRNA for MMP-2 than for MMP-9. Chemical hypoxia caused upregulation of the gene expression of both MMPs, whereas VEGF increased the gene expression and secretion of MMP-9. The hypoxic expression of MMP-9 was mediated by autocrine VEGF signaling. Exogenous MMP-9 increased the gene expression and secretion of VEGF, whereas MMP-2 reduced the secretion of VEGF. MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not alter the proliferation but stimulated the migration of RPE cells. Triamcinolone fully inhibited the stimulatory effect of MMP-9 on the expression of VEGF and the VEGF-evoked increase in the expression of MMP-9. However, triamcinolone had no effect on the motogenic effect of MMP-9. CONCLUSIONS There is a positive feedback regulation between MMP-9 and VEGF in RPE cells. The hypoxic expression of MMP-9 may stimulate the production and secretion of VEGF under pathologic conditions. Triamcinolone inhibits the positive feedback regulation between MMP-9 and VEGF under hypoxic conditions through inhibition of the gene expression of MMP-9 and the secretion of VEGF.
Reliability of time-to-exhaustion versus time-trial running tests in runners.

UNLABELLED Both time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and time-trial (TT) exercise tests are commonly used to assess exercise performance, but no study has directly examined the reliability of comparable tests in the same subjects. PURPOSE To evaluate the reliability of comparable TTE and TT treadmill running tests of high and moderately high exercise intensity in endurance-trained male distance runners, and to validate Hinckson and Hopkins TT prediction methods using log-log modeling from TTE results. METHODS After familiarization tests, eight endurance-trained male distance runners performed, in a randomized, counterbalanced order, eight trials consisting of two 5-km TT and two 1500-m TT, and four TTE tests run at a speed equivalent to the average speed attained during both the 5-km and 1500-m TT distances. RESULTS Typical error of the estimate (TEE) expressed as a coefficient of variation for the 5-km TT, 5-km TTE, 1500-m TT, and 1500-m TTE were 2.0, 15.1, 3.3, and 13.2%, respectively. The standard error of the estimate for predicted TT running speed using log-log modeling from TTE results was 0.67%, and the predicted versus criterion reliability of this method revealed TEE values of 1.6% and 2.5% for the prediction of 5-km and 1500-m TT, respectively. CONCLUSION The variability of 5-km and 1500-m TT tests was significantly less than for similar TTE treadmill protocols. Despite the greater variability of the TTE tests, log-log modeling using the TTE test results reliably predicted actual TT performance.
Alteration of the gene expression profile of T-cell receptor αβ-modified T-cells with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma specificity

Abstract Antigen-specific, T-cell receptor (TCR)-modified cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that target tumors are an attractive strategy for specific adoptive immunotherapy. Little is known about whether there are any alterations in the gene expression profile after TCR gene transduction in T cells. We constructed TCR gene-redirected CTLs with specificity for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-associated antigens to elucidate the gene expression profiles of TCR gene-redirected T-cells, and we further analyzed the gene expression profile pattern of these redirected T-cells by Affymetrix microarrays. The resulting data were analyzed using Bioconductor software, a two-fold cut-off expression change was applied together with anti-correlation of the profile ratios to render the microarray analysis set. The fold change of all genes was calculated by comparing the three TCR gene-modified T-cells and a negative control counterpart. The gene pathways were analyzed using Bioconductor and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Identical genes whose fold change was greater than or equal to 2.0 in all three TCR gene-redirected T-cell groups in comparison with the negative control were identified as the differentially expressed genes. The differentially expressed genes were comprised of 33 up-regulated genes and 1 down-regulated gene including JUNB, FOS, TNF, INF-γ, DUSP2, IL-1B, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL9, CCL2, CCL4, and CCL8. These genes are mainly involved in the TCR signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, and cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction pathways. In conclusion, we characterized the gene expression profile of DLBCL-specific TCR gene-redirected T-cells. The changes corresponded to an up-regulation in the differentiation and proliferation of the T-cells. These data may help to explain some of the characteristics of the redirected T-cells.
Negative emotion modulates prefrontal cortex activity during a working memory task: a NIRS study

This study investigated the neural processing underlying the cognitive control of emotions induced by the presentation of task-irrelevant emotional pictures before a working memory task. Previous studies have suggested that the cognitive control of emotion involves the prefrontal regions. Therefore, we measured the hemodynamic responses that occurred in the prefrontal region with a 16-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) system. In our experiment, participants observed two negative or two neutral pictures in succession immediately before a 1-back or 3-back task. Pictures were selected from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). We measured the changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) during picture presentation and during the n-back task. The emotional valence of the picture affected the oxyHb changes in anterior parts of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) (located in the left and right superior frontal gyrus) and left inferior frontal gyrus during the n-back task; the oxyHb changes during the task were significantly greater following negative rather than neutral stimulation. As indicated in a number of previous studies, and the time courses of the oxyHb changes in our study, activation in these locations is possibly led by cognitive control of emotion, though we cannot deny it may simply be emotional responses. There were no effects of emotion on oxyHb changes during picture presentation or on n-back task performance. Although further studies are necessary to confirm this interpretation, our findings suggest that NIRS can be used to investigate neural processing during emotional control.
NATURE AND RISK OF NEOVASCULARIZATION IN THE FELLOW EYE OF PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL RETINAL ANGIOMATOUS PROLIFERATION

Purpose: To determine the nature and risk of neovascularization in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), a neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A consecutive series of 52 patients diagnosed with unilateral RAP were studied retrospectively. Clinical biomicroscopic examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were used to evaluate all patients for the development of neovascular manifestations in the fellow eye. Results: Neovascularization developed in the fellow eye in 52 patients over the follow-up period (range, 2–36 months). All patients developed neovascular manifestations of RAP in the fellow eye. Twenty-one patients (40%) developed a RAP lesion within 1 year; 29 (56%), within 2 years; and 52 (100%), within 3 years. At the time of diagnosis of neovascularization in the fellow eye, 8 patients (15%) had a stage I RAP lesion, 36 (70%) had a stage II RAP lesion, and 8 (15%) had a stage III RAP lesion. Other characteristic findings in these patients included the presence of preretinal, intraretinal, and subretinal hemorrhages in 49 patients (94%) and pigment epithelial detachments in 41 patients (79%). Conclusions: In patients diagnosed with unilateral RAP lesions, the form of neovascularization that develops in the fellow eye is virtually always RAP. The annual and accumulative risk of neovascularization in the fellow eye is higher in patients with RAP than in those with other forms of neovascular AMD. These new findings enhance our understanding of the clinical spectrum of RAP in terms of its natural course and visual prognosis and may possibly offer useful information to establish future treatment options.
Arsenite-Oxidizing Hydrogenobaculum Strain Isolated from an Acid-Sulfate-Chloride Geothermal Spring in Yellowstone National Park

ABSTRACT An arsenite-oxidizing Hydrogenobaculum strain was isolated from a geothermal spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. , that was previously shown to contain microbial populations engaged in arsenite oxidation. The isolate was sensitive to both arsenite and arsenate and behaved as an obligate chemolithoautotroph that used H2 as its sole energy source and had an optimum temperature of 55 to 60°C and an optimum pH of 3.0. The arsenite oxidation in this organism displayed saturation kinetics and was strongly inhibited by H2S.