Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of exercise intensity and training on lipid metabolism in young women.

We examined the effects of exercise intensity and training [12 wk, 5 days/wk, 1 h, 75% peak oxygen consumption (V˙o 2 peak)] on lipolysis and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) flux in women ( n = 8; 24.3 ± 1.6 yr). Two pretraining trials (45 and 65% ofV˙o 2 peak) and two posttraining trials [same absolute workload (65% of oldV˙o 2 peak; ABT) and same relative workload (65% of newV˙o 2 peak; RLT)] were performed using infusions of [1,1,2,3,3-2H]glycerol and [1-13C]palmitate. Pretraining rates of FFA appearance (Ra), disappearance (Rd), and oxidation (Rox p) were similar between the 65% (6.8 ± 0.6, 6.2 ± 0.7, 3.1 ± 0.3 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively) and the 45% ofV˙o 2 peaktrials. At ABT and RLT training increased FFA Ra to 8.4 ± 1.0 and 9.7 ± 1.1 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, Rd to 8.3 ± 1.0 and 9.5 ± 1.1 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, and Rox p to 4.8 ± 0.4 and 6.7 ± 0.7 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively ( P ≤ 0.05). Total FFA oxidation from respiratory exchange ratio was also elevated after training at ABT and RLT, with all of the increase attributed to plasma FFA sources. Pretraining, glycerol Ra was higher during exercise at 65 than 45% of V˙o 2 peak(6.9 ± 0.9 vs. 4.7 ± 0.6 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) but was not changed by training. In young women 1) plasma FFA kinetics and oxidation are not linearly related to exercise intensity before training, 2) training increases FFA Ra, Rd, and Rox p whether measured at given absolute or relative exercise intensities, 3) whole body lipolysis (glycerol Ra) during exercise is not significantly impacted by training, and 4) training-induced increases in plasma FFA oxidation are the main contributor to elevated total FFA oxidation during exercise exertion after training.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Tobacco Use Disparities in the United States

INTRODUCTION Differences in tobacco/nicotine use by sexual orientation are well documented. Development of interventions requires attention to the etiology of these differences. This study examined associations among sexual orientation discrimination, cigarette smoking, any tobacco/nicotine use, and DSM-5 tobacco use disorder (TUD) in the United States. METHODS We used data from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions based on in-person interviews with a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized US adults. Approximately 8.3% of the target population was estimated to have same-sex sexual attraction, 3.1% had at least one same-sex sexual partner in the past-year, and 2.8% self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. RESULTS Sexual attraction, sexual behavior, and sexual identity were significantly associated with cigarette smoking, any tobacco/nicotine use, and DSM-5 TUD. Risk of all tobacco/nicotine outcomes was most pronounced for bisexual adults across all three sexual orientation dimensions. Approximately half of sexual minorities who identified as lesbian or gay and one-fourth of those who identified as bisexual reported past-year sexual orientation discrimination. Sexual minorities who experienced high levels of past-year sexual orientation discrimination had significantly greater probability of past-year cigarette smoking, any tobacco/nicotine use, and TUD relative to sexual minorities who experienced lower levels of sexual orientation discrimination or no discrimination. CONCLUSIONS Sexual minorities, especially bisexual adults, are at heightened risk of cigarette smoking, any tobacco/nicotine use, and DSM-5 TUD across all three major sexual orientation dimensions. Tobacco prevention and cessation efforts should target bisexual adults and consider the role that sexual orientation discrimination plays in cigarette smoking and treatment of TUD. IMPLICATIONS Differences in tobacco/nicotine use by sexual orientation are well documented, but little is known about differences across all three sexual orientation dimensions (attraction, behavior, and identity) or the origins of these differences. This study is the first to show that differences in tobacco/nicotine use across the three sexual orientation dimensions for respondents who were exclusively heterosexually-oriented were minimal, but varied more substantially among sexual minority women and men across the three sexual orientation dimensions. Sexual minorities who experienced high levels of past-year sexual orientation discrimination had significantly greater probability of cigarette smoking, any tobacco/nicotine use and DSM-5 tobacco use disorder.
Beneficial effects of trimetazidine on expression of serotonin and serotonin transporter in rats with myocardial infarction and depression

Background Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic drug that can inhibit platelet aggregation and regulate serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) release. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of trimetazidine on 5-HT and serotonin transporter (SERT) expression in experimentally induced myocardial infarction (MI), depression, and MI + depression. Materials and methods Eighty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a trimetazidine group and a saline group of 40 rats each. The trimetazidine group was given trimetazidine pretreatment for 4 weeks, while the saline group received saline for 4 weeks. Both groups were then subdivided into four subgroups (n=10), which were each subjected to a unique disease condition: sham surgery, MI, depression, or MI + depression. All rats were sacrificed 3 days thereafter, and serum and platelet levels of 5-HT and SERT were assessed. In addition, we experimented with trimetazidine posttreatment. Twenty SD rats underwent MI surgery, and were then randomly divided into a treatment and a saline group (n=10 each). For 4 weeks post-surgery, the trimetazidine group was given trimetazidine, while the saline group received saline. Serum and platelet levels of 5-HT and SERT were assessed. Results Pretreatment with trimetazidine: in the nontreatment saline group, MI, depression, and MI + depression showed significant declines (P<0.05) in both serum and platelet 5-HT levels compared to sham. Trimetazidine treatment significantly increased serum and platelet 5-HT levels in the MI, depression, and MI + depression (P<0.05) subgroups compared to their counterparts in the saline group. Results for SERT were heterogeneous between serum and platelets. Trimetazidine treatment significantly decreased serum levels of SERT in the sham surgery subgroup (P<0.05), while significantly increasing levels in depression rats, compared to control (P<0.05). In platelets, trimetazidine significantly decreased SERT in sham surgery, MI, depression, and MI + depression rats, compared to control (P<0.05). This contrast suggests that trimetazidine has opposite effects in serum and platelet SERT levels for the three disease models. Post-surgery trimetazidine: increased serum 5-HT (P<0.05) and serum SERT (P<0.05) were observed, compared to control. In platelets, trimetazidine decreased both 5-HT and SERT compared to control, significantly (P<0.05) for 5-HT, but not significantly for SERT (P>0.05). Conclusion Trimetazidine has a regulatory effect on 5-HT and SERT in the serum and platelets. Because of the downstream effects of this regulation on blood vessel function and myocardial protection, trimetazidine may be a therapeutic or preventive agent in several disease processes, including MI, depression, and the comorbidity between these two diseases. Further investigation, aimed at exploring the clinical potential of trimetazidine, is therefore warranted.
Neuromodulation with percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation is associated with reduction in signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal: a multisite, retrospective assessment

ABSTRACT Background: Finding an effective, non-pharmacological approach to treat opioid withdrawal could remove some of the barriers associated with pharmacotherapy. The BRIDGE® is a noninvasive, percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulator developed to target pain. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to determine (1) the effects of the BRIDGE on withdrawal scores during the induction phase of opioid withdrawal therapy, (2) the percentage of subjects who successfully transitioned to medication assisted therapy (MAT). Methods: Adult patients treated with the BRIDGE during medically supervised withdrawal were included in this open label, uncontrolled, and retrospective study. The clinical opioid withdrawal scale (COWS) scores were prospectively recorded at different intervals (20, 30, and 60 min) and analyzed retrospectively. A subset of patients had scores recorded 5-days post-BRIDGE. Those who returned to the clinic and received their first dose of maintenance medication were considered to be successfully transitioned. Results: In this cohort (n=73), 65% were male. The mean COWS score prior to BRIDGE placement was 20.1 (±6.1). Twenty minutes after BRIDGE placement, the mean score was reduced to 7.5 (±5.9) (62.7% reduction, p<0.001). The scores further decreased after 30 minutes 4.0 (±4.4) and 60 minutes 3.1 (±3.4) (84.6% reduction, p<0.001). No rescue medications were administered during this period. The mean withdrawal score on day 5 was 0.6 (97.1% reduction, p<0.001) (n=33). Overall, 64/73 patients (88.8%) successfully transitioned to MAT. Conclusions: Neurostimulation with the BRIDGE is associated with a reduction in opioid withdrawal scores. This effect persisted during the induction period and allowed for effective transition to MAT.
First Report of an Adult Tapeworm (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) in a Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Abstract We present a novel case of an intestinal cestode infection in a southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis). The cestode species Diphyllobothrium tetrapterum (syn. Diplogonoporus tetrapterus) was confirmed genetically. Stable isotope analysis of whiskers collected from the sea otter did not confirm the consumption of fish as the route of exposure.
Modulation of lung liquid clearance by isoproterenol in rat lungs.

β-Adrenergic agonists have been reported to increase lung liquid clearance by stimulating active Na+ transport across the alveolar epithelium. We studied mechanisms by which β-adrenergic isoproterenol (Iso) increases lung liquid clearance in isolated perfused fluid-filled rat lungs. Iso perfused through the pulmonary circulation at concentrations of 10-4 to 10-8 M increased lung liquid clearance compared with that of control lungs ( P < 0.01). The increase in lung liquid clearance was inhibited by the β-antagonist propranolol (10-5 M), the Na+-channel blocker amiloride (10-4 M), and the antagonist of Na-K-ATPase, ouabain (5 × 10-4 M). Colchicine, which inhibits cell microtubular transport of ion-transporting proteins to the plasma membrane, blocked the stimulatory effects of Iso on active Na+ transport, whereas the isomer lumicolchicine, which does not affect cell microtubular transport, did not inhibit Na+ transport. In parallel with these changes, the Na-K-ATPase α1-subunit protein abundance and activity increased in alveolar type II cells stimulated by 10-6 M Iso. Colchicine blocked the stimulatory effect of Iso and the recruitment of Na-K-ATPase α1-protein to the basolateral membrane of alveolar type II cells. Accordingly, Iso increased active Na+ transport and lung liquid clearance by stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors and probably by upregulation of apical Na+ channels and basolateral Na-K-ATPase mechanisms. Recruitment from intracellular pools and microtubular transport of Na+pumps to the plasma membrane participate in β-adrenergic stimulation of lung liquid clearance in rat lungs.
Ethics Regulation in Social Computing Research: Examining the Role of Institutional Review Boards

The parallel rise of pervasive data collection platforms and computational methods for collecting, analyzing, and drawing inferences from large quantities of user data has advanced social computing research, investigating digital traces to understand mediated behaviors of individuals, groups, and societies. At the same time, methods employed to access these data have raised questions about ethical research practices. This article provides insights into U.S. institutional review boards’ (IRBs) attitudes and practices regulating social computing research. Through descriptive and inferential analysis of survey data from staff at 59 IRBs at research universities, we examine how IRBs evaluate the growing variety of studies using pervasive digital data. Findings unpack the difficulties IRB staff face evaluating increasingly technical research proposals while highlighting the belief in their ability to surmount these difficulties. They also indicate a lack of consensus among IRB staff about what should be reviewed and a willingness to work closely with researchers.
Use of high hydrostatic pressure to inactivate natural contaminating microorganisms and inoculated E. coli O157:H7 on Hermetia illucens larvae

A chemical and microbiological characterization on Hermetia illucens larvae was carried out as well as an inactivation study of natural contaminating microorganisms and inoculated E. coli O157:H7 in black soldier larvae by using High Hydrostatic Pressure (250 to 400 MPa, for 1.5 to 15 min). Hermetia illucens was mainly composed of proteins (46.49%, d.m.) followed by fat (37.88%, d.m.). Larvae had a high contamination load of Total Aerobic Mesophilic bacteria (AMB) (1.58x107 cfu/g) and Enterobacteriaceae (1.15x106cfu/g). The presence of pathogenic microorganism varied: no Listeria spp. were found, but Salmonella (1.15x106 cfu/g) and E. coli (7.08x105 cfu/g) were detected in the larvae extract. High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) was effective against natural contaminating yeasts and molds producing more than 5 log cycle reductions at 400 MPa for any of the times considered (2.5 to 7 min), but a low reduction of total microbial load was achieved. The inactivation level of larvae inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 varied. At 400 MPa for 7 min more than 5 log cycle reductions were achieved. Among the three inactivation models studied, the one that best described the inactivation pattern of the cells, according to the Akaike index, was the Biphasic model.
Tunable femtosecond pulse generation and applications in Raman micro-spectroscopy

Tunable Femtosecond Pulse Generation and Applications in Raman Micro-Spectroscopy. (August 2009) Jiahui Peng, B.S., Nankai University; M.S., Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Alexei V. Sokolov The ability to perceive the dynamics of nature is ultimately limited by the temporal resolution of the instruments available. With the help of the ultrashort optical pulse, people now are able to observe and steer the electronic dynamics on the atomic scale. Meanwhile, high power attainable in such short time scale helps to boost the study of nonlinear physics. Most commercial femtosecond lasers are based on Ti:sapphire, but such systems can only be tuned in a spectral range around 800 nm. Few applications need only a single wavelength in this spectral region and pulses tunable from the UV to the IR are highly desirable. Based on the soliton characteristics of ultrashort laser pulses, we are the first ones who propose to make use of resonant dispersive waves, which are phase-matched non-solitonic linear waves, to extend the spectral tuning range of ultrashort laser without involving complicated amplifiers. Experimentally, we achieve the tuning of dispersive wave wavelengths by changing the dispersion parameters of the laser cavity, and confirm dispersive waves are ultrashort pulses under appropriate conditions. We successfully apply such a system into a multi-wavelength operation Ti:sapphire laser. The proposed idea is general, and can be applied to systems where solitons dominate, for example fiber lasers. Thanks to the newly developed novel fiber -photonic crystal fiberwe obtain widely tunable and gap-free femtosecond pulse by extending this mechanism to waveguides. This is the largest reported tuning range for efficient nonlinear optical frequency conversion obtained with such a simple and low energy laser.
Magnetically assisted intraperitoneal drug delivery for cancer chemotherapy

Abstract Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy has revived hopes during the past few years for the management of peritoneal disseminations of digestive and gynecological cancers. Nevertheless, a poor drug penetration is one key drawback of IP chemotherapy since peritoneal neoplasms are notoriously resistant to drug penetration. Recent preclinical studies have focused on targeting the aberrant tumor microenvironment to improve intratumoral drug transport. However, tumor stroma targeting therapies have limited therapeutic windows and show variable outcomes across different cohort of patients. Therefore, the development of new strategies for improving the efficacy of IP chemotherapy is a certain need. In this work, we propose a new magnetically assisted strategy to elevate drug penetration into peritoneal tumor nodules and improve IP chemotherapy. A computational model was developed to assess the feasibility and predictability of the proposed active drug delivery method. The key tumor pathophysiology, including a spatially heterogeneous construct of leaky vasculature, nonfunctional lymphatics, and dense extracellular matrix (ECM), was reconstructed in silico. The transport of intraperitoneally injected magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) inside tumors was simulated and compared with the transport of free cytotoxic agents. Our results on magnetically assisted delivery showed an order of magnitude increase in the final intratumoral concentration of drug-coated MNPs with respect to free cytotoxic agents. The intermediate MNPs with the radius range of 200–300 nm yield optimal magnetic drug targeting (MDT) performance in 5–10 mm tumors while the MDT performance remains essentially the same over a large particle radius range of 100–500 nm for a 1 mm radius small tumor. The success of MDT in larger tumors (5–10 mm in radius) was found to be markedly dependent on the choice of magnet strength and tumor-magnet distance while these two parameters were less of a concern in small tumors. We also validated in silico results against experimental results related to tumor interstitial hypertension, conventional IP chemoperfusion, and magnetically actuated movement of MNPs in excised tissue.
Evaluation of the recombinant antigens Wb14 and WbT for the capture antibody diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis

BACKGROUND Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease caused mainly by the Wuchereria bancrofti worm and that affects up to 120 million people worldwide. LF is the second cause of chronic global deformity, responsible for 15 million people with lymphedema (elephantiasis) and 25 million men with scrotal hydrocele. Its diagnosis is still associated with numerous difficulties, such as the sample collection periods (microfilaria nocturnal periodicity) and limited diagnostic kits. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was to evaluate two recombinant antigens (Wb14 and WbT) as part of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based antibody capture tests for LF. METHODS The recombinant antigens rWb14 and rWbT were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and an antibody capture ELISA was performed. For this, sera were used from microfilaremic individuals with W. bancrofti (MF), chronic pathology (CP), individuals infected with Strongyloides (SP) and healthy controls from endemic (EN) and non-endemic (NE) areas. FINDINGS Both tests showed similar results, with 90% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity. In comparison with the BM14 ELISA commercial test, the Wb14 and WbT antigens performed with identical sensitivity but greater specificity. Reduced positivity with the CP suggested a potential to monitor cure. This was not confirmed, however, when sera from individuals up to seven years after treatment were assayed. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The Wb14 and WbT ELISAs were considered efficient and promising diagnostic tests. Due to the importance of antibody capture analysis to evaluate the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), the tests proposed here appear as great alternatives to the available commercial system.
Effects of exercise in diabetic rats before and during gestation on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of chronic endurance training on glucose and lipid homeostasis in diabetic mothers and their offspring. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered diabetic (>20 mmol/l glucose) by streptozotocin and subdivided into three treatments ( n = 10/group): exercise (20 m/min; 0% grade; 1 h/day; 5 days/wk) before and during gestation (EE), exercise before gestation with cessation on conception (ES), and sedentary before and during gestation (SS). Response of dams to a preconception and third trimester glucose tolerance test, litter number (EE = ES = SS = 3), and average litter size (EE = 9.7 ± 1.5; ES = 9.0 ± 1.5; SS = 8.3 ± 0.3) did not differ among groups. Number of offspring remaining viable was significantly different among groups (EE = 17; ES = 0; SS = 14). Response to a glucose challenge and fasting glucose and insulin were different between the EE and SS pups. Exercise before and during gestation did not reduce the viability of offspring. Cessation of exercise during early pregnancy negatively affected offspring viability.
Verification of the applicability of the time–temperature superposition principle to interface shear stiffness and strength of GlasGrid-reinforced asphalt mixtures

This paper aims to verify the applicability of the time–temperature superposition (t–TS) principle to the interface shear performance of GlasGrid-reinforced asphalt specimens under monotonic and random cyclic shear loading. A double shear tester and a direct shear device, the Modified Advance Shear Tester that has the capability to apply confining loads, were used to fulfil this objective. Double-layered asphalt specimens were fabricated and reinforced using two types of fibreglass grids with 12.5-mm and 25-mm grid openings, respectively. PG 64-22 asphalt binder was used as the tack coat when the smaller opening grid was used, and SS-1 emulsion was applied as the tack coat when the larger opening grid was used. Approaches that employ the mixture dynamic modulus, tack coat residue complex modulus, and interface shear modulus shift factors for shifting the shear test results and constructing shear master curves were evaluated. The results show that the t–TS principle is applicable to the shear strength and shear stiffness of GlasGrid-reinforced asphalt concrete specimens if the right shift factor function is used.