Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Functional Studies of the Intervertebral Disc: A Novel Murine Intervertebral Disc Model

Intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis is mediated through a combination of micro-environmental and biomechanical factors, all of which are subject to genetic influences. The aim of this study is to develop and characterize a genetically tractable, ex vivo organ culture model that can be used to further elucidate mechanisms of intervertebral disc disease. Specifically, we demonstrate that IVD disc explants (1) maintain their native phenotype in prolonged culture, (2) are responsive to exogenous stimuli, and (3) that relevant homeostatic regulatory mechanisms can be modulated through ex-vivo genetic recombination. We present a novel technique for isolation of murine IVD explants with demonstration of explant viability (CMFDA/propidium iodide staining), disc anatomy (H&E), maintenance of extracellular matrix (ECM) (Alcian Blue staining), and native expression profile (qRT-PCR) as well as ex vivo genetic recombination (mT/mG reporter mice; AdCre) following 14 days of culture in DMEM media containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 1% L-glutamine, and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. IVD explants maintained their micro-anatomic integrity, ECM proteoglycan content, viability, and gene expression profile consistent with a homeostatic drive in culture. Treatment of genetically engineered explants with cre-expressing adenovirus efficaciously induced ex vivo genetic recombination in a variety of genetically engineered mouse models. Exogenous administration of IL-1ß and TGF-ß3 resulted in predicted catabolic and anabolic responses, respectively. Genetic recombination of TGFBR1fl/fl explants resulted in constitutively active TGF-ß signaling that matched that of exogenously administered TGF-ß3. Our results illustrate the utility of the murine intervertebral disc explant to investigate mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration.
Aspergillus Section Fumigati Typing by PCR-Restriction Fragment Polymorphism

ABSTRACT Recent studies have shown that there are multiple clinically important members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati that are difficult to distinguish on the basis of morphological features (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus, A. lentulus, and Neosartorya udagawae). Identification of these organisms may be clinically important, as some species vary in their susceptibilities to antifungal agents. In a prior study, we utilized multilocus sequence typing to describe A. lentulus as a species distinct from A. fumigatus. The sequence data show that the gene encoding β-tubulin, benA, has high interspecies variability at intronic regions but is conserved among isolates of the same species. These data were used to develop a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method that rapidly and accurately distinguishes A. fumigatus, A. lentulus, and N. udagawae, three major species within the section Fumigati that have previously been implicated in disease. Digestion of the benA amplicon with BccI generated unique banding patterns; the results were validated by screening a collection of clinical strains and by in silico analysis of the benA sequences of Aspergillus spp. deposited in the GenBank database. PCR-RFLP of benA is a simple method for the identification of clinically important, similar morphotypes of Aspergillus spp. within the section Fumigati.
Phage Lysin LysK Can Be Truncated to Its CHAP Domain and Retain Lytic Activity against Live Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococci

ABSTRACT A truncated derivative of the phage endolysin LysK containing only the CHAP (cysteine- and histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase) domain exhibited lytic activity against live clinical staphylococcal isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This is the first known report of a truncated phage lysin which retains high lytic activity against live staphylococcal cells.
Chemical Composition and Mineral Contents of Zingiber officinale and Alpinia allughas (Zingiberaceae) Rhizomes

Abstr Zingiber officinale and Alpinia allughas are used in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibb-Unani herbal medicines all over the world for a wide array of ailments. Presenet study was carried out to determine chemical composition and minerals contents of Zingiber officinale and Alpinia allughas rhizomes. Samples were collected from local retail market of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Moisture, ash, crude fiber, crude protein and crude fat percent contents of Zingiber officinale and Alpinia allughas rhizomes were 8.60 ± 0.23 and 9.87 ± 0.51, 1.74 ± 0.04 and 1.86 ± 0.05, 76.4 ± 1.30 and 76.53 ± 1.06, 7.88 ± 0.01 and 5.64 ± 0.06 and 5.03 ± 0.43 and 6.1 ± 0.23 respectively. While, ascorbic acid levels were 3.75 ± 0.58 and 1.25 ± 0.03 mg/100g in Zingiber officinale and Alpinia allughas respectively. Minerals contents (mg/100 g ± SD) were 12.50 ± 0.29 and 7.50 ± 0.87 Cu, 12.23 ± 0.16 and 12.00 ± 0.28 Zn, 80.00 ± 2.89 and 32.75 ± 0.43 Fe, 7.33 ±0.22 and 6.25 ± 0.14 Mn, 0.49± 1.9 and 0.37 ± 1.3 Ca, 1.2 ± 1.43 and 1.2 ±1.55 Mg in Zingiber officinale and Alpinia allughas species respectively.
Variations in the age‐specific curves of human papillomavirus prevalence in women worldwide

An inverse relationship between age and human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence has been reported in many developed countries, but information on this relationship is scarce in many other parts of the world. We carried out a cross‐sectional study of sexually active women from the general population of 15 areas in 4 continents. Similar standardised protocols for women's enrolment, cervical specimen collection and PCR‐based assays for HPV testing were used. HPV prevalence in different age groups was compared by study area. 18,498 women aged 15–74 years were included. Age‐standardised HPV prevalence varied more than 10‐fold between populations, as did the shape of age‐specific curves. HPV prevalence peaked below age 25 or 35, and declined with age in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Korea and in Lampang, Thailand and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. This was not the case in Songkla, Thailand nor Hanoi, Vietnam, where HPV prevalence was low in all age groups. In Chile, Colombia and Mexico, a second peak of HPV prevalence was detected among older women. In the poorest study areas in Asia (Shanxi, China and Dindigul, India), and in Nigeria, HPV prevalence was high across all age groups. The substantial differences observed in age‐specific curves of HPV prevalence between populations may have a variety of explanations. These differences, however, underline that great caution should be used in inferring the natural history of HPV from age‐specific prevalences. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A meta-analysis of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy versus combination therapy with corticosteroids for PBC-AIH-overlap syndrome: evidence from 97 monotherapy and 117 combinations

In this study, a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials that compared ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) monotherapy with therapies combining UDCA and corticosteroids was performed. We found that combination therapy with UDCA and corticosteroids was more effective than UDCA monotherapy for primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis-overlap syndrome.
Studying Social Aspects of Vegetarianism : A Research Proposal on the Basis of a Survey Among Adult Population of Two Slovenian Biggest Cities

The article discuses the fundamental characteristics of vegetarianism as a heterogeneous and controversial practice, and tries to asses its scope in contemporary Western world. In the central part it presents the main results of the empirical study of vegetarianism and its perceptions on a representative sample of adult residents of the two largest cities in Slovenia, Ljubljana and Maribor. On this basis, the author proposes a more comprehensive design of quantitative and qualitative research on social aspects of vegetarianism and responses to it.
Metabolic and endocrine effects of treatment with peroral or transdermal oestrogens in conjunction with peroral cyproterone acetate in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To compare the influence of transdermal and peroral oestrogen treatments in conjunction with cyproterone acetate (CPA) on metabolic and hormonal parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four women with PCOS, aged 25.4+/-4.3 (mean+/-s.d.) years, body mass index 24.5+/-3.9 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to receive either transdermal oestradiol plus CPA (n=12) or a peroral oestradiol-CPA combination (n=12). Before and after 3 months of treatment, basal blood samples, euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp combined with indirect calorimetry and arginine tests were performed. ANOVA and Student's t-test or Wilcoxon's test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS After peroral oestradiol-CPA, insulin sensitivity (P<0.004) and the disposition index as the function of insulin sensitivity and secretion (P<0.0001) decreased significantly. Fasting insulin (P<0.05), cholesterol (P<0.05), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05) and sex-hormone binding globulin (P<0.0001) increased significantly. Dehydroepiandrosterone (P<0.05) and 17-OH progesterone (P<0.01) decreased significantly. After transdermal oestradiol+CPA, no significant changes were observed in sex-hormone binding globulin and androgen concentrations, insulin sensitivity or disposition index. CONCLUSIONS In women with PCOS, peroral oestrogens (at doses common in combined oral contraceptives) led to a significant impairment in insulin secretion and action. In contrast, the transdermal application of oestrogens did not significantly influence insulin sensitivity.
Deconstructing GSK-3: The Fine Regulation of Its Activity

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) unique position in modulating the function of a diverse series of proteins in combination with its association with a wide variety of human disorders has attracted significant attention to the protein both as a therapeutic target and as a means to understand the molecular basis of these disorders. GSK-3 is ubiquitously expressed and, unusually, constitutively active in resting, unstimulated cells. In mammals, GSK-3α and β are each expressed widely at both the RNA and protein levels although some tissues show preferential levels of some of the two proteins. Neither gene appears to be acutely regulated at the transcriptional level, whereas the proteins are controlled posttranslationally, largely through protein-protein interactions or by posttranslational regulation. Control of GSK-3 activity thus occurs by complex mechanisms that are each dependent upon specific signalling pathways. Furthermore, GSK-3 appears to be a cellular nexus, integrating several signalling systems, including several second messengers and a wide selection of cellular stimulants. This paper will focus on the different ways to control GSK-3 activity (phosphorylation, protein complex formation, truncation, subcellular localization, etc.), the main signalling pathways involved in its control, and its pathological deregulation.
Determination of triacylglycerol regioisomers using differential mobility spectrometry.

RATIONALE Triacylglycerols (TG) contain three fatty acyls attached to the glycerol backbone in stereochemically numbered positions sn-1, 2 and 3. Isobaric TG with exchanged fatty acyl chains in positions sn-1/3 vs. sn-2 are referred to as regioisomers and the determination of their regioisomeric ratios is important for nutrition purposes. METHODS Differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is applied for the separation of simple unsaturated TG regioisomers extracted from porcine adipose tissue using their silver-ion molecular adducts. RESULTS Four pairs of TG regioisomers containing combinations of unsaturated and saturated fatty acyl chains are successfully separated using DMS with 1-butanol or 1-propanol as the chemical modifier. Various experimental parameters are carefully optimized, such as the separation and compensation voltages applied to DMS electrodes, the type and flow rate of chemical modifier and the dwell time of analyte ions in the DMS cell. The optimized DMS approach is used for the characterization of TG regioisomers in less than one minute, compared to tens of minutes typical for silver-ion or reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry approaches. CONCLUSIONS The application of this method for the characterization of TG regioisomers in porcine adipose tissue shows the method suitability for analyses of other animal fats.
Capital Taxation: Quantitative Explorations of the Inverse Euler Equation

Economies with private information provide a rationale for capital taxation. In this paper we ask what the welfare gains from following this prescription are. We develop a method to answer this question in standard general equilibrium models with idiosyncratic uncertainty and incomplete markets. We find that general equilibrium forces are important and greatly reduce the welfare gains. Once these effects are taken into account, the gains are relatively small in our benchmark calibration. These results do not imply that dynamic aspects of social insurance design are unimportant, but they do suggest that capital taxation may play a modest role.
Selective concentration of anti‐Purkinje cell antibody in the CSF of two patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration

ABSTRACT‐ An anti‐Purkinje cell antibody (APCA) was found in serum and CSF of 2 patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PDC) and breast carcinoma. Integrity of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) was normal in one patient and slightly damaged in the other. In both patients CSF IgG index was normal, but CSF/serum APCA ratio and CSF IgG APCA index were elevated suggesting that a selective concentration of the APCA in CSF occurs in patients with PCD. This feature supports the hypothesis that APCA may play a role in the pathogenesis of PCD.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce T-Cell Tolerance and Protect the Preterm Brain after Global Hypoxia-Ischemia

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in preterm infants is a severe disease for which no curative treatment is available. Cerebral inflammation and invasion of activated peripheral immune cells have been shown to play a pivotal role in the etiology of white matter injury, which is the clinical hallmark of HIE in preterm infants. The objective of this study was to assess the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of intravenously delivered mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in an ovine model of HIE. In this translational animal model, global hypoxia-ischemia (HI) was induced in instrumented preterm sheep by transient umbilical cord occlusion, which closely mimics the clinical insult. Intravenous administration of 2 x 106 MSC/kg reduced microglial proliferation, diminished loss of oligodendrocytes and reduced demyelination, as determined by histology and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), in the preterm brain after global HI. These anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of MSC were paralleled by reduced electrographic seizure activity in the ischemic preterm brain. Furthermore, we showed that MSC induced persistent peripheral T-cell tolerance in vivo and reduced invasion of T-cells into the preterm brain following global HI. These findings show in a preclinical animal model that intravenously administered MSC reduced cerebral inflammation, protected against white matter injury and established functional improvement in the preterm brain following global HI. Moreover, we provide evidence that induction of T-cell tolerance by MSC might play an important role in the neuroprotective effects of MSC in HIE. This is the first study to describe a marked neuroprotective effect of MSC in a translational animal model of HIE.
ARE OZONE EXCEEDANCE RATES DECREASING ? COMMENT ON " EXTREME VALUE ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONwlENTAL TIME-SERIES : AN APPLICATION TO TREND DETECTION IN GROUND-LEVEL OZONE " BY

R.L. Smith (1989) in his Statistical Science discussion paper, proposed new methods fora.Ilalyzingextreme values based on the point process view of highlevelexceedances,andillustratedthem with a detailed analysis·of ozone data frqm Houston, Texas. The methods are powerful and, in particular, the point process ofcluster peaks over a high threshold provides a remarkable condensation of the massive data set that he analyzes. It involves little loss of relevant information and permits fairly simple analyses. Smith's conclusion is that there is no trend in the overall levels of the series, but that there is a marked downward trend in the extreme values. It seems hard to find physical explanations for this, and here the evidence is reassessed in terms of a comparison between competing models for the intensity of a Poisson process. This suggests that there is some evidence for a decreasing trend in exceedance-rates.but that it is rather weak, If there . is-a trend, it seems more likylyto consist of afairly abrupt change thana gradual decrea.se. Thepossibility that such a change is due to an improvement in measurement technology is discussed. The possibility of long-memory dependence is also considered and the clustering method used is discussed. Adrian E. is Associate De]i>artment of of WA 98195. This research was the Office of Naval Research under Contract no. N-00014-88-k-0265. The author is to Richard L. Smith for nrovidine the ozone data on which the are to Peter for very to Michael A. Newton comments. The COn1lputier programs may be obtained from the author
Linear Programming, the Simplex Algorithm and Simple Polytopes

In the first part of the paper we survey some far reaching applications of the basis facts of linear programming to the combinatorial theory of simple polytopes. In the second part we discuss some recent developments concurring the simplex algorithm. We describe sub-exponential randomized pivot roles and upper bounds on the diameter of graphs of polytopes.
Determination of In Situ Trap Properties in CCDs Using a “Single-Trap Pumping” Technique

The science goals of space missions from the Hubble Space Telescope through to Gaia and Euclid require ultraprecise positional, photometric, and shape measurement information. However, in the radiation environment of the space telescopes, damage to the focal plane detectors through high-energy protons leads to the creation of traps, a loss of charge transfer efficiency, and a consequent deterioration in measurement accuracy. An understanding of the traps produced and their properties in the CCD during operation is essential to allow optimization of the devices and suitable modeling to correct the effect of the damage through the postprocessing of images. The technique of “pumping single traps” has allowed the study of individual traps in high detail that cannot be achieved with other techniques, such as deep level transient spectroscopy, whilst also locating each trap to the subpixel level in the device. Outlining the principles used, we have demonstrated the technique for the A-center, the most influential trap in serial readout, giving results consistent with the more general theoretical values, but here showing new results indicating the spread in the emission times achieved and the variation in capture probability of individual traps with increasing signal levels. This technique can now be applied to other time and temperature regimes in the CCD to characterize individual traps in situ under standard operating conditions such that dramatic improvements can be made to optimization processes and modeling techniques.
Maximizing postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis: carbohydrate supplementation and the application of amino acid or protein hydrolysate mixtures.

BACKGROUND Postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis is an important factor in determining the time needed to recover from prolonged exercise. OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether an increase in carbohydrate intake, ingestion of a mixture of protein hydrolysate and amino acids in combination with carbohydrate, or both results in higher postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis rates than does ingestion of 0.8 g*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1) carbohydrate, provided at 30-min intervals. DESIGN Eight trained cyclists visited the laboratory 3 times, during which a control beverage and 2 other beverages were tested. After the subjects participated in a strict glycogen-depletion protocol, muscle biopsy samples were collected. The subjects received a beverage every 30 min to ensure ingestion of 0.8 g carbohydrate*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1) (Carb trial), 0.8 g carbohydrate*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1) plus 0.4 g wheat protein hydrolysate plus free leucine and phenylalanine*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1) (proven to be highly insulinotropic; Carb + Pro trial), or 1.2 g carbohydrate*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1) (Carb + Carb trial). After 5 h, a second biopsy was taken. RESULTS Plasma insulin responses in the Carb + Pro and Carb + Carb trials were higher than those in the Carb trial (88 +/- 17% and 46 +/- 18%; P < 0.05). Muscle glycogen synthesis was higher in both trials than in the Carb trial (35. 4 +/- 5.1 and 44.8 +/- 6.8 compared with 16.6 +/- 7.8 micromol glycosol units*g dry wt(-)(1)*h(-)(1), respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Addition of a mixture of protein hydrolysate and amino acids to a carbohydrate-containing solution (at an intake of 0.8 g carbohydrate*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1)) can stimulate glycogen synthesis. However, glycogen synthesis can also be accelerated by increasing carbohydrate intake (0.4 g*kg(-)(1)*h(-)(1)) when supplements are provided at 30-min intervals.
Global Minimum for Curvature Penalized Minimal Path Method

Minimal path or geodesic methods have been widely applied to image analysis and medical imaging [18]. However, traditional minimal path methods do not consider the effect of the curvature. In this paper, we propose a novel curvature penalized minimal path approach implemented via the anisotropic fast marching method and asymmetric Finsler metrics. We study the weighted Euler’s elastica based geodesic energy and give an approximation to this energy by an orientation-lifted Finsler metric so that the proposed model can achieve a global minimum of this geodesic energy between the endpoint and initial source point. We also introduce a method to simplify the initialization of the proposed model. Experiments show that the proposed curvature penalized minimal path model owns several advantages comparing to the existed state-of-the-art minimal path models without curvature penalty both on synthetic and real images.
A prospective study of managers' turnover and health in a healthcare organization.

AIMS To assess turnover and health of Swedish healthcare managers, and identify important supporting factors relating to work and individual resources. BACKGROUND Individual managers' own sustainability in terms of turnover and health may be influenced by managerial working conditions and individual resources. METHODS A 4-year prospective questionnaire study of 216 healthcare managers. Turnover and indicators of good health (healthy work attendance and no burnout) were related to work factors and individual resources using Cox regressions with constant time at risk. RESULTS Forty per cent of the healthcare managers had left after 4 years. Fifty-two per cent had a healthy work attendance record and the proportion with no burnout had increased. Experiencing moderate/high job control was a predictor of remaining in the managerial position. Good health was predicted by having energy left for domestic work and being thoroughly rested after sleep. CONCLUSIONS Managerial turnover seems high in Swedish healthcare and linked to working conditions, while sustained health are linked to individual resources. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Healthcare organizations should focus not only on developing individuals in their managerial role but also on strengthening the conditions that allow managers to exercise their leadership and to ensuring that the managers most suitable for their posts do not leave.