Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fyn Kinase Induces Synaptic and Cognitive Impairments in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) transgenic mice with high levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) develop behavioral deficits that correlate with the depletion of synaptic activity-related proteins in the dentate gyrus. The tyrosine kinase Fyn is altered in Alzheimer's disease brains and modulates premature mortality and synaptotoxicity in hAPP mice. To determine whether Fyn also modulates Aβ-induced behavioral deficits and depletions of synaptic activity-dependent proteins, we overexpressed Fyn in neurons of hAPP mice with moderate levels of Aβ production. Compared with nontransgenic controls and singly transgenic mice expressing hAPP or FYN alone, doubly transgenic FYN/hAPP mice had striking depletions of calbindin, Fos, and phosphorylated ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), impaired neuronal induction of Arc, and impaired spatial memory retention. These deficits were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those otherwise seen only in hAPP mice with higher Aβ levels. Surprisingly, levels of active Fyn were lower in high expresser hAPP mice than in NTG controls and lower in FYN/hAPP mice than in FYN mice. Suppression of Fyn activity may result from dephosphorylation by striatal-enriched phosphatase, which was upregulated in FYN/hAPP mice and in hAPP mice with high levels of Aβ. Thus, increased Fyn expression is sufficient to trigger prominent neuronal deficits in the context of even relatively moderate Aβ levels, and inhibition of Fyn activity may help counteract Aβ-induced impairments.
Detection of Bacteroidales fecal indicators and the zoonotic pathogens E. coli 0157:H7, salmonella, and campylobacter in river water.

Bacteroidales host-specific PCR offers a rapid method of diagnosing fecal pollution in water and identifying sources of input. To assess human health risks from exposure to fecal pathogens, however, Bacteroidales markers should be detectable when pathogens are present. To determine if Bacteroidales general, human-, ruminant-, and swine-specific markers correlate with certain fecal pathogens, we conducted a retrospective study on water samples for which the presence of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. , and Campylobacter spp. had been determined. We found a positive relationship between detection of the Bacteroidales general fecal marker and presence of the pathogens. Detection of ruminant-specific markers predicted E. coli O157: H7 occurrence. There was a significant increase in the likelihood of detecting Salmonella when a ruminant marker was present, and Campylobacter spp. when human markers were present. For pathogens such as E. coli O157: H7 that are strongly associated with particular hosts, Bacteroidales host-specific markers can estimate the likelihood of pathogen occurrence, enabling more accurate health risk assessments.
The cognitive miser's perspective: Social comparison as a heuristic in self-judgements

The metaphor of the cognitive miser is a milestone in the development of social cognitive research. It highlights the limited cognitive resources of the social thinker and the demand for fast and efficient processing of information. In marked contrast to the impact of this metaphor on social cognition research in general, it has so far been mostly overlooked in research on social comparison. In this article we want to lay out the potential of social comparison research if one takes on the perspective of a cognitive miser. Specifically, we consider social comparison as a heuristic for evaluating the self. First, we look for evidence for the ease of comparative self-evaluations. Second, we analyse the standard selection process and identify routine standards that facilitate the comparison process. Third, we investigate the cognitive mechanisms in social comparisons and suggest that comparison mechanisms leading to assimilation are more efficient than mechanisms leading to contrast effects.
The β3‐adrenoceptor mediates the inhibitory effects of β‐adrenoceptor agonists via the urothelium in pig bladder dome

Relaxation of detrusor muscle via β‐adrenoceptors may contribute to urine storage during bladder filling. Thus there is increasing interest in β‐adrenoceptor agonists as a potential treatment for detrusor overactivity. The role of the urothelium in bladder responses to β‐adrenoceptor agonists is not yet clear, although we have shown that these agonists have a greater inhibitory effect on detrusor contraction when the urothelium is intact. The aim was to determine which β‐adrenoceptor subtype is involved in this effect.
PAPNET analysis of reportedly negative smears preceding the diagnosis of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or carcinoma.

One hundred fourteen cervical smears obtained from 18 women developing biopsy-proven high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and two with invasive squamous carcinomas were analyzed by two pathologists using the PAPNET neural network-based automated screening system (PAPNET Analyses A and B). The smears were originally reported as negative and had been previously rescreened and reclassified according to The Bethesda System. Using the PAPNET video displays of 128 potentially abnormal cellular images per smear, each reviewer (PAPNET A and B) determined whether a smear required conventional rescreening. Results of the PAPNET triage were compared with the reclassification diagnoses of the smears by conventional microscopy. PAPNET Analysis A selected eight (14%) smears reclassified as negative, 25 (69%) as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, and 15 (71%) as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) for rescreening. In PAPNET Analysis A, two (10%) SILs were not selected for rescreening, and four (19%) were considered unsatisfactory for analysis. PAPNET Analysis B selected 21 (37%) smears reclassified as negative, 25 (69%) as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, and 18 (86%) as SIL for review. In PAPNET Analysis B, two (10%) SILs were missed, and one (5%) smear was unsatisfactory for analysis. Each PAPNET analysis selected smears for rescreening in 19 (95%) of 20 patients and detected SILs in 10 patients that were missed in the original screening. Using PAPNET, SILs would have been detected a median of 56 months (PAPNET A) and 62 months (PAPNET B) before their actual discovery. These preliminary data suggest that PAPNET may help detect SILs missed in routine cytologic screening. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genetic basis of thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections

Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms leading to type A dissections (TAAD) can occur in association with a genetic syndrome, such as Marfan syndrome (MFS), or as an autosomal dominant disorder in the absence of syndromic features, termed familial TAAD. Familial TAAD demonstrates genetic heterogeneity, and linkage studies have identified three TAAD loci at 5q13‐14 (TAAD1), 11q23 (FAA1), and 3p24‐25 (TAAD2). The underlying genetic heterogeneity of TAAD is reflected in the phenotypic variation associated with familial TAAD with respect to age of onset, progression, penetrance, and association with additional cardiac and vascular features. Recently, mutations in the TGFBR2 gene have been identified as the cause of disease linked to the TAAD2 locus, supporting the hypothesis that dysregulation of TGFβ signaling is a mechanism leading to aneurysms and dissections. The recent identification of the TGFβ pathway as a key target in the molecular pathogenesis of TAAD has opened new avenues for future genetic and therapeutic research. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NADPH Oxidase: a Target for the Modulation of the Excessive Oxidase Damage Induced by Overtraining in Rat Neutrophils

Objective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that NADPH oxidase mediating the ROS production is the major pathway for ROS generation in neutrophils during exercise. NADPH oxidase, as a target can modulate oxidative damage induced by overtraining, which can be value to the prevention of exercise-induced immunosuppression. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a negative control group (C, n = 10), an overtraining group (E, n = 10) and an overtraining + DPI intervention group (D, n =10). Groups E and D were trained on a standard treadmill with progressive load for 11 weeks. After 36-40 h from the last training, eight rats were randomly selected from each group, and blood was sampled from the orbital vein. ELISAs were used to measure serum cytokine levels and lipid peroxidation in blood plasma. Flow cytometry with Annexin V / PI double staining was used to measure neutrophil apoptosis and necrosis. DNA damage in lymphocytes was tested using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). The co-localization between gp91phox and p47phox of the NADPH-oxidase was detected using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results: 1) Compared with group C, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly increased and MCP-1, and CINC were significantly decreased in blood plasma from group E (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Concentrations of IL-1β and MCP-1 were decreased (P < 0.05), and IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly increased (P <0.05) in blood plasma from group D. MDA and MPO were elevated in plasma from groups E and D (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). 2) Compared with group C, the percentage of neutrophils apoptosis were significantly elevated (P < 0.01) in both groups E and D, and the percentage of cell death was raised in group E (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in group D. 3) Compared with group C, the number of comet cells, an indicator of DNA damage, was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the width and tail length of comet cells were notably increased in group E, while no significant increase was observed in group D. 4) The p47phox protein translocated to the cell membrane and co-localized with the gp91phox subunit of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils activated by overtraining. Conclusion: 1) Excessive exercise led to an increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in peripheral blood, and it may have induced tissue inflammation 2) Overtraining can activate the NADPH oxidase-mediated overproduction of ROS, leading to increased lipid peroxidation. 3) NADPHoxidase in neutrophils as a target, was responsible for ROS, oxidative damage to phagocytes and lymphocytes and changes to inflammatory cytokines and immune regulatory factors all affect cellular immune functions and may be causative factors for exercise-induced immunosuppression.
Effect of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) on NKG2D Signal Pathway and Its Contribution to Immune Escape of MKN45 Cells

Objective. To investigate VIP effect on the cytotoxicity of NK cell to gastric cancer cells in vitro and the relation between the effect with the NKG2D signal molecules in NK cells. Material and Methods. NK cells were purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Before and after NK cells were incubated with VIP or its antagonist (D-p-Cl-Phe6,Leu17)-VIP, we detected the cytotoxicity of NK cells to MKN45 gastric cancer cells by MTT and detected the expressions of NKG2D, DAP10, and NF-κB proteins and mRNAs in NK cells by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR in those conditions. Then we analyzed the effect of VIP and its antagonist on the cytotocicity of NK cell to gastric cancer cells and on expressions of NKG2D, DAP10, and NF-κB signal molecules in NK cells. Results. VIP could inhibit the cytotoxicity of NK cells to MKN45 cells and could inhibit the expressions of NKG2D, DAP10, and NF-κB in NK cells. However, (D-p-Cl-Phe6, Leu17)-VIP could reverse those effects. Conclusions. The VIP inhibited the cytotoxicity of NK cell to MKN45 cells which might get through inhibiting the expressions of NKG2D signal molecules in NK cells. This may be one mechanism of gastric cancer cells escaping organism immune clearance.
Axis alternation for signal propagation over polarization-maintaining fibers

When a signal is split over both axes of polarization-maintaining fibers (PMFs), alternation of axes is well known to cancel the impact of the differential group delay, e.g., in filtering functions such as modulators based on Kerr effect and a Sagnac loop. This solution seems not of concern if the signal remains on one axis as is the case for polarization-maintained signal transportation. As opposed to the common belief, we show experimentally and numerically that alternating the slow and the fast axes is also important to avoid signal distortions in that case. As a matter of fact, strong distortions of polarized signals are observed when the signals are transported with PMF because of the finite extinction ratio of connectors.
Determinants of an optimal response to pioglitazone in terms of HDL-cholesterol.

OBJECTIVE The effect of pioglitazone on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been attracting attention. However, there are limited data on the characteristics of patients who are likely to respond to pioglitazone in terms of the improvement in HDL-C levels (lipid responders). In the present study, the characteristics of lipid responders were investigated. METHODS Five hundred and sixty-three patients with type 2 diabetes who started pioglitazone treatment were followed for six months. They were divided into two groups according to the response to pioglitazone. Subjects whose HDL-C levels increased by 10% or more from the baseline were defined as lipid responders. The odds ratios (OR) for becoming lipid responders were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS Significant patients' characteristics of lipid responders were age, HbA1c, HDL-C and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), yielding adjusted ORs of 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.61-0.93] for an increment of 10 years, 0.79 (95% CI=0.66-0.95) for an increment of 1%, 0.83 (95% CI=0.72-0.96) for an increment of 10 mg/dL and 0.93 (95% CI=0.87-1.00) for an increment of 10 mg/dL, respectively. Patients with sulfonylurea treatment and those with both sulfonylurea and metformin treatment were less likely to become lipid responders than diet-treated patients with ORs of 0.32 (95% CI=0.15-0.69) and 0.41 (95% CI=0.19-0.87), respectively. CONCLUSION Pioglitazone could be beneficial especially for patients with young age, low HbA1c, low HDL-C or low LDL-C levels at baseline in terms of the improvement in HDL-C levels. Use of sulfonylureas at baseline could attenuate the effect of pioglitazone on HDL-C.
From spaces of identity to mental spaces: Lessons from Turkish-Cypriot cultural experience in Britain

This article is concerned with the culture of Turkish Cypriots in Britain, and at the same time with the problems of finding an adequate theoretical language to theorise those experiences. First, it seeks to bring out the particularity of Turkish-Cypriot culture, located as it is between British, Cypriot and Turkish reference points. We argue that this is a culture that is distinctively, and often uncomfortably, placed between national and transnational conditions of existence. The article looks particularly at the experiences of Turkish-Cypriot women, seeking to explore their sense of cultural positioning as they live their lives in London. In its more theoretical sections, the article seeks to work against the national discursive frame of community and identity that is generally used to describe Turkish-Cypriot culture, suggesting instead an alternative approach that shifts from identity to experience and thinking about experiences.
Emotional Empathy and Facial Mimicry for Static and Dynamic Facial Expressions of Fear and Disgust

Facial mimicry is the tendency to imitate the emotional facial expressions of others. Increasing evidence suggests that the perception of dynamic displays leads to enhanced facial mimicry, especially for happiness and anger. However, little is known about the impact of dynamic stimuli on facial mimicry for fear and disgust. To investigate this issue, facial EMG responses were recorded in the corrugator supercilii, levator labii, and lateral frontalis muscles, while participants viewed static (photos) and dynamic (videos) facial emotional expressions. Moreover, we tested whether emotional empathy modulated facial mimicry for emotional facial expressions. In accordance with our predictions, the highly empathic group responded with larger activity in the corrugator supercilii and levator labii muscles. Moreover, dynamic compared to static facial expressions of fear revealed enhanced mimicry in the high-empathic group in the frontalis and corrugator supercilii muscles. In the low-empathic group the facial reactions were not differentiated between fear and disgust for both dynamic and static facial expressions. We conclude that highly empathic subjects are more sensitive in their facial reactions to the facial expressions of fear and disgust compared to low empathetic counterparts. Our data confirms that personal characteristics, i.e., empathy traits as well as modality of the presented stimuli, modulate the strength of facial mimicry. In addition, measures of EMG activity of the levator labii and frontalis muscles may be a useful index of empathic responses of fear and disgust.
Amorphous/Crystalline Silicon Interface Passivation: Ambient-Temperature Dependence and Implications for Solar Cell Performance

Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells feature amorphous silicon passivation films, which enable very high voltages. We report how such passivation increases with operating temperature for amorphous silicon stacks involving doped layers and decreases for intrinsic-layer-only passivation. We discuss the implications of this phenomenon on the solar cell's temperature coefficient, which represents an important figure-of-merit for the energy yield of devices deployed in the field. We show evidence that both open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) are affected by these variations in passivation and quantify these temperature-mediated effects, compared with those expected from standard diode equations. We confirm that devices with high Voc values at 25°C show better high-temperature performance. However, we also argue that the precise device architecture, such as the presence of charge-transport barriers, may affect the temperature-dependent device performance as well.
Top-level design and preliminary physical analysis for the first electron-beam micro-CT scanner

A state of the art X-ray micro-CT scanner takes about 20 seconds to acquire a full dataset, which is too slow to capture the rapidly beating heart of small animals. We have been working to develop the first electron-beam micro-CT (EBMCT) prototype for cardiac imaging of the mice and rats. In this paper, we describe the background on electron-beam CT (EBCT) and emphasize the needs for EBMCT. Then, we present a top-level design and a preliminary physical analysis for the first EBMCT scanner. The proposed EBMCT prototype would allow 0.03-0.01 s temporal resolution (35-70 half-scans per second) with 0.2 mm spatial resolution and 10% contrast resolution. Finally, we discuss a few related issues to further highlight that this project is not only important for basic biomedical research but also feasible technically.
Non-invasive routes for insulin administration: current state and perspectives

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that usually requires multiple insulin injections to achieve adequate glycaemic control. This represents a major cause of reduced compliance to treatment. Consequently, other routes for insulin administration have been explored. During recent years, much progress in the development of inhaled insulin has been made. Inhaled insulin has shown favourable properties, such as a rapid onset of action, improved bioavailability and good tolerability; thereby providing satisfaction and ease of administration. However, long-term safety of inhaled insulin needs to be assessed, and the cost would be higher than injectable insulin. Nasal, oral and transdermal insulins are undergoing early phases of pharmacological development. The purpose of this review is to describe the latest developments in the area of non-invasive routes for insulin delivery.
Most suitable mother wavelet for measurement of power system harmonics using DWT in view of IEEE Standard 1459-2000

Fourier transform (FT) based techniques have been traditionally used for power system harmonics analysis. A recent alternative approach of wavelet transform (WT) is applied for non-sinusoidal signal analysis which has been found very useful in power quality studies. The problem of root mean square (RMS) value calculation is an important issue in harmonic analysis. This paper uses a statistical approach for RMS calculation. The proposed method simplifies wavelet based harmonic measurement process and increases measurement accuracy. Case studies from practical power systempsilas voltage and current signals are demonstrated. The measurement results using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method for various wavelet families are compared and discussed with the results of IEEE Std. 1459-2000 which forms the basis to propose the most suitable mother wavelet for power system harmonics analysis.
Recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage from paraventricular lesions with normal angiography

Vascular anomalies, either aneurysmal or arteriovenous, figure predominantly as the causative lesions in spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage. Such haemorrhage as the presenting feature of intracranial tumour, although much rarer, is sufficiently well recognized not to cause diagnostic difficulties; _ ,J ablost invariably some evidence of a space-occupying lesion, if not of a pathological circulation, is seen on subsequent angiography, especialy in cases of supratentorial neoplasm. Ernsting (1955) reported a patient with recurrent subarachnoid bleeding, in whom, after carotid angiograms a year previously had been regarded as normal, a choroid plexus papila loma was demonstrated when the investigation was repeated. The lesion was confirmed by air studies and successfully removed. Ernsting pointed out the possibility of a small papilloma bleeding into the ventricle and yet not being apparent on arteriograms. The purpose of this paper is to present three cases with recurrent haemorrhage from paraventricular FIG. 1 Case: Normaleantero-posteriorarter lesions not revealed on angiography. compression ofthe kft carotid artery in the ned
Factors influencing travel to Islamic destinations: an empirical analysis of Kuwaiti nationals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of travel motivation, Muslim-friendly amenities and lifestyle, cognitive and affective destination image and quality of service on Kuwaiti travelers’ intentions to visit Islamic tourism destinations. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered questionnaire consisting of multiple-item scales was developed. A convenience sample of 224 Kuwaitis was surveyed. The hierarchical regression analysis tested whether and how much the influencing factors predicted a significant amount of the variance in travel. The analysis was controlled for the effects of demographic variables. Findings – Travel motivation and cognitive and affective image had the largest significant effects on the Kuwaiti travelers’ intention to visit Islamic destinations. Contrary to expectations, the findings suggested that Muslim-friendly amenities and quality of service did not affect Kuwaitis’ travel decisions. Originality/value – This study provides a starting point for f.