Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary Intake and the Development of the Metabolic Syndrome: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background— The role of diet in the origin of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is not well understood; thus, we sought to evaluate the relationship between incident MetSyn and dietary intake using prospective data from 9514 participants (age, 45 to 64 years) enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Methods and Results— Dietary intake was assessed at baseline via a 66-item food frequency questionnaire. We used principal-components analysis to derive “Western” and “prudent” dietary patterns from 32 food groups and evaluated 10 food groups used in previous studies of the ARIC cohort. MetSyn was defined by American Heart Association guidelines. Proportional-hazards regression was used. Over 9 years of follow-up, 3782 incident cases of MetSyn were identified. After adjustment for demographic factors, smoking, physical activity, and energy intake, consumption of a Western dietary pattern (Ptrend=0.03) was adversely associated with incident MetSyn. After further adjustment for intake of meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, refined grains, and whole grains, analysis of individual food groups revealed that meat (Ptrend<0.001), fried foods (Ptrend=0.02), and diet soda (Ptrend=< 0.001) also were adversely associated with incident MetSyn, whereas dairy consumption (Ptrend=0.006) was beneficial. No associations were observed between incident MetSyn and a prudent dietary pattern or intakes of whole grains, refined grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts, coffee, or sweetened beverages. Conclusions— These prospective findings suggest that consumption of a Western dietary pattern, meat, and fried foods promotes the incidence of MetSyn, whereas dairy consumption provides some protection. The diet soda association was not hypothesized and deserves further study.
Effect of palmarosa ( Cymbopogon martinii ) on improvement of salt affected soils

In India about 10 million hectare land have been affected by salinity and alkalinity problems. Reclamation of these problem soils is a costly affair for farmers of India specially for poor farmers of eastern U.P. Our preliminary findings have clearly indicated that aromatic plants like rosa grass and java grass may be successfully grown in salt affected soils. Keeping these facts in mind a systematic study was planned to find out the influence of rosa grass (Palmarosa) on improvement of the salt affected soils of eastern U.P. (India). Accordingly, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of rosa grass with and without amendments on physicochemical properties of a saline sodic soil (pH 8.8, ECe 7.9 dS m and SAR 35). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications. Rooted seedlings of palmarosa (var. Motia) were transplanted with a spacing of 45 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants. Nominal doses of fertilizers were applied at 40 kg N, 20 kg P2O5 and 20 kg K2O ha. Four harvests were taken and biomass samples were distilled in Clevenger’s apparatus for estimation of essential oil. Palmarosa without any amendment given normal yield on the salt affected soil and improved physicochemical characteristics of the soil. The crop with pyrites or pyrites plus other amendments like sludge and hyacinth compost had better effect than the crop alone on the improvement of saline sodic soil under study. The pH, ECe, ESP and SAR of the soil decreased whereas hydraulic conductivity increased. Content of organic carbon, available N, P, K, Cu, Zn and Fe increased. Maximum improvement was recorded with palmarosa crop on plots treated with 3 ton hyacinth compost+2 ton sludge+pyrites at 40% of gypsum requirement ha. The amendments used were not only able to increase herb yield but were also able to escalate essential oil yield of the palmarosa. Therefore, it is inferred that palmarosa grass can profitably be grown on saline sodic soils. It may play the role of a dual purpose crop by improving salt affected soil on the one hand and giving normal yield on the other hand.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Deficiency Ameliorates Murine Experimental Colitis via the Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a key molecule in modulating low-degree inflammatory conditions such as diabetes. The role of PTP1B in other chronic inflammations, however, remains unknown. Here, we report that PTP1B deficiency ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced murine experimental colitis via expanding CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Employing DSS-induced murine experimental colitis as inflammatory animal model, we found that, compared with wild-type littermates, PTP1B-null mice demonstrated greater resistance to DSS-induced colitis, as reflected by slower weight-loss, greater survival rates and decreased PMN and macrophage infiltration into the colon. The evidence collectively also demonstrated that the resistance of PTP1B-null mice to DSS-induced colitis is based on the expansion of MDSCs. First, PTP1B-null mice exhibited a greater frequency of MDSCs in the bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood and spleen when compared with wild-type littermates. Second, PTP1B levels in BM leukocytes were significantly decreased after cells were induced into MDSCs by IL-6 and GM-CSF, and the MDSC induction occurred more rapidly in PTP1B-null mice than in wild-type littermates, suggesting PTP1B as a negative regulator of MDSCs. Third, the adoptive transfer of MDSCs into mice with DSS-colitis significantly attenuated colitis, which accompanies with a decreased serum IL-17 level. Finally, PTP1B deficiency increased the frequency of MDSCs from BM cells likely through enhancing the activities of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). In conclusion, our study provides the first evidences that PTP1B deficiency ameliorates murine experimental colitis via expanding MDSCs.
Gender Differences of B Cell Signature in Healthy Subjects Underlie Disparities in Incidence and Course of SLE Related to Estrogen

The aim of the present study was to investigate mechanism of the gender differences of B cells. The results showed that 358 differential gene expressions (DEGs) were displayed between healthy females and males. Compared with male, 226 and 132 genes were found to be up- and downregulated in the female. 116 genes displayed possible correlation with estrogen. Moreover, the upregulated DEGs (Cav1, CD200R1, TNFRSF17, and CXCR3) and downregulated DEGs (EIF1AY and DDX3Y) in healthy female may be involved in gender predominance of some immune diseases. Furthermore, signaling pathway analysis for estrogen-relevant DEGs showed that only 26 genes were downregulated in SLE female versus SLE male, of which expressions of 8 genes had significant difference between SLE females and SLE males but are having nonsignificant difference between healthy females and healthy males. Except for the 5 Y-chromosome-related genes or varients, only 3 DEGs (LTF, CAMP, and DEFA4) were selected and qRT-PCR confirmed that the expressions of LTF and CAMP decreased significantly in B cells from female SLE patients. These data indicated that the gender differences were existent in global gene expression of B cells and the difference may be related to estrogen.
The N-Glycanase png-1 Acts to Limit Axon Branching during Organ Formation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Peptide:N-glycanases (PNGases) are cytoplasmic de-N-glycosylation enzymes that have been shown in cultured cells to facilitate the degradation of misfolded glycoproteins during endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation and in the processing of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens for proper cell-surface presentation. The gene encoding PNGase activity was initially described in budding yeast (Png1p) and shown to be highly conserved from yeast to humans, but physiological roles in higher organisms have not been elucidated. Here we describe peripheral nervous system defects associated with the first loss-of-function mutations in an animal PNGase. Mutations in png-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans PNGase ortholog, result in an increase in axon branching during morphogenesis of the vulval egg-laying organ and egg-laying behavior changes. Neuronal defects include an increase in the branched morphology of the VC4 and VC5 egg-laying neurons as well as inappropriate branches from axons that run adjacent to the vulva but would normally remain unbranched. We show that png-1 is widely expressed and can act from both neurons and epithelial cells to restrict axon branching. A deletion allele of the DNA repair gene rad-23, orthologs of which are known to physically interact with PNGases in yeast and mammals, displays similar axon branching defects and genetic interactions with png-1. In summary, our analysis reveals a novel developmental role for a PNGase and Rad-23 in the regulation of neuronal branching during organ innervation.
Trade-off between thermal tolerance and insecticide resistance in Plutella xylostella

Fitness costs associated with resistance to insecticides have been well documented, usually at normal temperature conditions, in many insect species. In this study, using chlorpyrifos-resistant homozygote (RR) and chlorpyrifos-susceptible homozygote (SS) of resistance ace1 allele of Plutella xylostella (DBM), we confirmed firstly that high temperature experience in pupal stage influenced phenotype of wing venation in insecticide-resistant and insecticide-susceptible Plutella xylostella, and SS DBM showed significantly higher thermal tolerance and lower damages of wing veins under heat stress than RR DBM. As compared to SS DBM, RR DBM displayed significantly lower AChE sensitivity to chlorpyrifos, higher basal GSTs activity and P450 production at 25°C, but higher inhibitions on the enzyme activities and P450 production as well as reduced resistance to chlorpyrifos under heat stress. Furthermore, RR DBM displayed significantly higher basal expressions of hsp69s, hsp72s, hsp20,hsp90,Apaf-1, and caspase-7 at 25°C, but lower induced expressions of hsps and higher induced expressions of Apaf-1,caspase-9, and caspase-7 under heat stress. These results suggest that fitness costs of chlorpyrifos resistance in DBM may partly attribute to excess consumption of energy caused by over production of detoxification enzymes and hsps when the proteins are less demanded at conducive environments but reduced expressions when they are highly demanded by the insects to combat environmental stresses, or to excess expressions of apoptotic genes under heat stress, which results in higher apoptosis. The evolutionary and ecological implications of these findings at global warming are discussed.
Red to Mediterranean Sea bioinvasion: natural drift through the Suez Canal, or anthropogenic transport?

The biota of the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea has experienced dramatic changes in the last decades, in part as a result of the massive invasion of Red Sea species. The mechanism generally hypothesized for the ‘Red‐to‐Med’ invasion is that of natural dispersal through the Suez Canal. To date, however, this hypothesis has not been tested. This study examines the mode of invasion, using as a model the mussel Brachidontes pharaonis, an acclaimed ‘Lessepsian migrant’ that thrives along the eastern Mediterranean coast. Our findings reveal two distinct lineages of haplotypes, and five possible explanations are discussed for this observation. We show that the genetic exchange among the Mediterranean, Gulf of Suez and the northern Red Sea is sufficiently large to counteract the build up of sequential genetic structure. Nevertheless, these basins are rich in unique haplotypes of unknown origin. We propose that it is historic secondary contact, an ongoing anthropogenic transport or both processes, that participate in driving the population dynamics of B. pharaonis in the Mediterranean and northern Red Sea.
Oxidative stability of smoked chicken sausage substituted with red palm mid fraction during chilled storage

4 Abstract: The effects of rice bran and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on the oxidative stability of smoked chicken sausages were determined. Lipid oxidation was analyzed at several different days of chilled storage (n=3, for all measurements). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values and peroxide value (PV) of smoked chicken sausages increased throughout the nine days of storage (4°C). Chicken sausage formulated with Red Palm Mid Fraction (RPMF) showed significantly lower TBA value compared to the samples prepared with chicken fat (p<0.05). However, -carotene content showed the highest significant value (p<0.05) in sausage incorporated with RPMF. It was concluded that the utilization of RPMF significantly reduced the oxidation of lipid, which was indicated, by the TBA values. This study also showed that the small amount of dietary fiber (rice bran) also improve the oxidative stability of smoked chicken sausages. It can be suggest that the time for oxidation study need longer storage duration to see the good result plot and changes that occur can be determined clearly.
Physiologic Regulation of a Tetrodotoxin-Sensitive Sodium Influx That Mediates a Slow Afterdepolarization Potential in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons: Possible Implications for the Central Regulation of Fertility

The brain controls fertility through release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), but the mechanisms underlying action potential patterning and GnRH release are not understood. We investigated whether GnRH neurons exhibit afterdepolarizing potentials (ADPs) and whether these are modified by reproductive state. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings of GnRH neurons in brain slices from ovariectomized mice revealed a slow ADP (sADP) after action potentials generated by brief current injection. Generating two or four spikes enhanced sADP amplitude and duration. sADP amplitude was not affected by blocking selected neurotransmitter/neuromodulator receptors, delayed-rectifier potassium channels, calcium-dependent cation channels, or hyperpolarization-activated cation channels but was halved by the calcium channel blocker cadmium and abolished by tetrodotoxin. Cadmium also reduced peak latency. Intrinsic mechanisms underlying the sADP were investigated using voltage-clamp protocols simulating action potential waveforms. A single action potential produced an inward current, which increased after double and quadruple stimulation. Cadmium did not affect current amplitude but reduced peak latency. Pretreatment with blockers of calcium-activated potassium currents (IKCa) reproduced this shift and blocked subsequent cadmium-induced changes, suggesting cadmium changes latency indirectly by blocking IKCa. Tetrodotoxin abolished the inward current, suggesting that it is carried by sodium. In contrast, IKCa blockers increased the inward current, indicating that IKCa may oppose generation of the sADP. Strong sADPs were suprathreshold, generating repetitive spontaneous firing. IADP, sADP, and excitability were enhanced by in vivo estradiol, which triggers a preovulatory surge of GnRH release. Physiological feedback modification of this inward current and resulting sADP may modulate action potential firing and subsequent GnRH release.
Biological system models reproducing snakes' musculoskeletal system

Snakes are very unique animals that have distinguished motor function adaptable to the most diverse environments in terrestrial animals regardless of their simple cord-shaped body. Revealing the mechanism underlying this distinct locomotion pattern, which is fundamentally different from walking, is signifficant not only in biolgical field but also for applications in engineering firld. However, it has been difficult to clarify this adaptive function, emerging from dynamic interaction between body, brain and environment, by previous scientific methodologies based on reductionism, where understanding of the total system is approached by analyzing specific individual elements. In this research, we aim at revealing the mechanisms underlying this adaptability by the use of the constructive methodology, in which biological system models reflecting biological knowledge is used as a tool for analysis of the total system. In this report, we present development of system models, i.e. a dynamics simulator and a robot, constructed based on biological data obtained from dissection, CT-imaging, kinematics measurements and EMG measurements. By constructing mechanical models based on anatomical studies and applying control input designed according to EMG and kinematics measurements into the models, locomotion similar to living snakes was achieved and remaining problems in the models were clarified.
Frequency and Kinds of Words in Various Social Settings, or What the Hell's Going On?

One does not need a high degree of sen: sitivity to notice that profanity is not necessarily the "mark of the uneducated" or even that it is not necessarily socially taboo. In our society "profane" or "taboo" words fulfill many functions-if you don't kn ow someone or only know him to a modest degree, calling him an "old bastard" is apt to elicit a sore nose; on the other hand, the same phrase may constitute endearment to a friend. Situationally we well know that taboo words are taboo on the airways, in formal or quasi-formal gatherings (such as professional or religious assemblies), or in most written communication. At the same time taboo words are often demanded if one is to be "one of the boys" at a party, or on an assembly line, or a comedian at night clubs. Then, too, if special force or emphasis is to be given to an utterance in a formal gathering, nothing will do quite as well as a profanity. On the assembly line floor a similar contrast is often effected by a "straight" statement.
Learning to practice social responsibility in small business: challenges and conflicts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address issues of practicing social responsibility (SR) in small business, where SR implementation challenges are unique. The discussion examines the difficulties encountered by small business owners adopting SR practices, and the various strategies they learned in the process.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 23 small business owner‐managers located in Western Canada were interviewed in‐depth, individually, and in groups. Group interviews were useful for validating and extending the themes and contradictions that arose in individual interviews, particularly in identifying the most common SR challenges and frustrations, and to compare individuals' learning patterns and diverse strategies of response.Findings – The paper findings show that owners learned SR by working through three main areas of challenge within everyday sociomaterial practices: positioning SR commitments and affiliations; balancing diverse stakeholders with SR ideals and costs; and negotiat.
Similarities and Differences in Chinese and Caucasian Adults' Use of Facial Cues for Trustworthiness Judgments

Background All cultural groups in the world place paramount value on interpersonal trust. Existing research suggests that although accurate judgments of another's trustworthiness require extensive interactions with the person, we often make trustworthiness judgments based on facial cues on the first encounter. However, little is known about what facial cues are used for such judgments and what the bases are on which individuals make their trustworthiness judgments. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that individuals may use facial attractiveness cues as a “shortcut” for judging another's trustworthiness due to the lack of other more informative and in-depth information about trustworthiness. Using data-driven statistical models of 3D Caucasian faces, we compared facial cues used for judging the trustworthiness of Caucasian faces by Caucasian participants who were highly experienced with Caucasian faces, and the facial cues used by Chinese participants who were unfamiliar with Caucasian faces. We found that Chinese and Caucasian participants used similar facial cues to judge trustworthiness. Also, both Chinese and Caucasian participants used almost identical facial cues for judging trustworthiness and attractiveness. Conclusions/Significance The results suggest that without opportunities to interact with another person extensively, we use the less racially specific and more universal attractiveness cues as a “shortcut” for trustworthiness judgments.
The published article is available as “Online First” on SpringerLink:

In three studies, we investigated whether and to what extent the evaluation of two mutually exclusive hypotheses is affected by a feature-positive effect, wherein present clues are weighted more than absent clues. Participants (N = 126) were presented with abstract problems concerning the most likely provenance of a card that was drawn from one of two decks. We factored the correct response (the hypothesis favored by the consideration of all clues) and the ratio of present-to-absent features in each set of observations. Furthermore, across the studies, we manipulated the presentation format of the features’ probabilities by providing the probability distributions of occurrences (Study 1), non-occurrences (Study 3) or both (Study 2). In all studies, both participant preference and accuracy were mostly determined by an over-reliance on present features. Moreover, across participants, both confidence in the responses and the informativeness of the present clues correlated positively with the number of responses given in line with an exclusive consideration of present features. These results were mostly independent of both the rarity of the absent clues and the presentation format. We concluded that the feature-positive effect influences hypothesis evaluation, and we discussed the implications for confirmation bias.
The Role of Relational Information Processes and Technology Use in Customer Relationship Management

Drawing on the relationship marketing and market information processing literature streams, the authors conceptualize and measure relational information processes, or organizational routines that are critical for customer relationship management (CRM). The authors examine the key drivers and outcome of relational information processes and the role of technology in implementing CRM using data collected from a diverse sample of firms. The results show that relational information processes play a vital role in enhancing an organization's customer relationship performance. By moderating the influence of relational information processes on customer relationship performance, technology used for CRM performs an important and supportive role. The study provides insights into why the use of CRM technology might not always deliver the expected customer relationship performance outcome.