Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Inhibition of miR-33 Promotes Fatty Acid Oxidation but Does Not Ameliorate Metabolic Dysfunction in Diet-Induced Obesity

Objective—miR-33 has emerged as an important regulator of lipid homeostasis. Inhibition of miR-33 has been demonstrated as protective against atherosclerosis; however, recent studies in mice suggest that miR-33 inhibition may have adverse effects on lipid and insulin metabolism. Given the therapeutic interest in miR-33 inhibitors for treating atherosclerosis, we sought to test whether pharmacologically inhibiting miR-33 at atheroprotective doses affected metabolic parameters in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Approach and Results—High-fat diet (HFD) feeding in conjunction with treatment of male mice with 10 mg/kg control anti-miR or anti-miR33 inhibitors for 20 weeks promoted equivalent weight gain in all groups. miR-33 inhibitors increased plasma total cholesterol and decreased serum triglycerides compared with control anti-miR, but not compared with PBS-treated mice. Metrics of insulin resistance were not altered in anti-miR33–treated mice compared with controls; however, respiratory exchange ratio was decreased in anti-miR33–treated mice. Hepatic expression of miR-33 targets Abca1 and Hadhb were derepressed on miR-33 inhibition. In contrast, protein levels of putative miR-33 target gene SREBP-1 or its downstream targets genes Fasn and Acc were not altered in anti-miR33–treated mice, and hepatic lipid accumulation did not differ between groups. In the adipose tissue, anti-miR33 treatment increased Ampk gene expression and markers of M2 macrophage polarization. Conclusions—We demonstrate in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity that therapeutic silencing of miR-33 may promote whole-body oxidative metabolism but does not affect metabolic dysregulation. This suggests that pharmacological inhibition of miR-33 at doses known to reduce atherosclerosis may be a safe future therapeutic.
Experimental Investigation on Flexural Behavior of Concrete Beams reinforced with GFRP Bar with Working Cracks

Based on 12 GFRP reinforced concrete beams with initial cracks, the bearing capacity, failure mode and crack propagation of strengthened concrete beams which considering the factors such as the initial crack and concrete grade was investigated through four-point bending test. The results showed that the initial crack have no obvious influence on the failure mode of GFRP reinforced concrete beam. Regardless of initial crack considerations, the strengthened concrete beams has damage with crush of compression zone concrete as load increasing. On the same concrete strength grade, the mid-span deflection of GFRP reinforced concrete beam with initial cracks is slightly larger than the values of GFRP concrete beam which regardless of the initial cracks. Concrete grade has an effect on stiffness of GFRP reinforced concrete beam with initial cracks. With the increase of concrete grade, the down-trend of bearing capacity caused by initial cracks has slowed down.
Evaluation and Validation of 28,29,30SI Cross Sections in the Resolved Resonance Region

Resonance parameter evaluations of the three stable silicon isotopes 28,29,30Si, were performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2002 and the results of those evaluations were restored from the archives in 2018. The evaluations also accounted for the contribution of the direct component of the capture cross sections computed over the neutron resonance range. For the most abundant isotope, 28Si, the value of the thermal capture cross sections was increased by 10% on the basis of analyses devoted to reevaluating the thermal radiative neutron capture cross sections. The contribution of the direct capture cross sections was recomputed for each isotope, and its energy-dependent behavior improved. Results of benchmark calculations performed at the International Atomic Energy Agency showed an excellent agreement with integral measurements.
Quantum confinement in black phosphorus-based nanostructures

The modification of an idealized infinite bulk system by dimensional reduction or structural distortion results in quantum confinement effects (QCEs). For example, dimensional reduction of a black phosphorus structure leads to the realization of few-layer systems, creation of edges and surfaces, nanoribbons, quantum dots, and antidot lattices while structural distortion involves simple bending (including nanotubes) and rippling. Black phosphorus (‘phosphorene’ in the single-layer limit) has been of recent interest due to its relatively large charge carrier mobility and moderate semiconducting band gap, which remains direct irrespective of the number of layers. In this review the state-of-the-art properties of black phosphorus in its dimensionally reduced and structurally distorted forms are discussed, with emphasis on how quantum confinement impacts the material’s properties.
Visceral Pleura Invasion Impact on Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patient Survival: Its Implications for the Forthcoming TNM Staging Based on a Large-Scale Nation-Wide Database

Introduction: No analyses have been reported on the impact of visceral pleura invasion (VPI) on staging, in relation with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer proposals for the 7th edition of the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification of the International Union Against Cancer staging system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of VPI on survival and propose a method of incorporating VPI status into the TNM classification. Methods: We reviewed the data on 9758 non-small cell lung cancer patients, who underwent anatomic surgical resection in 1999, accumulated by the Japanese Joint Committee for Lung Cancer Registration, to gain insight into their clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes. VPI was defined as tumor extension beyond the elastic layer of the visceral pleura. Patients were divided into nine groups according to VPI status and tumor diameter, in accordance with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer proposals. Results: On the basis of survival, the nine groups were divided into the following five levels: tumors ≤2 cm without VPI; tumors ≤2 cm with VPI and tumors 2.1 to 3 cm without VPI; tumors 2.1 to 3 cm with VPI and tumors 3.1 to 5 cm without VPI; tumors 3.1 to 5 cm with VPI and tumors 5.1 to 7 cm without VPI; and tumors 5.1 to 7 cm with VPI and tumors >7 cm without VPI or T3 tumors. Conclusions: The T status of tumors, 7 cm or less, with VPI should be upgraded to the next T level in the future edition of the TNM classification of International Union Against Cancer staging system.
Visualizing endoderm cell populations and their dynamics in the mouse embryo with a Hex-tdTomato reporter

ABSTRACT Live imaging is the requisite tool for studying cell behaviors driving embryonic development and tissue formation. Genetically encoded reporters expressed under cell type-specific cis-regulatory elements that drive fluorescent protein expression at sufficient levels for visualization in living specimens have become indispensable for these studies. Increasingly dual-color (red-green) imaging is used for studying the coordinate behaviors of two cell populations of interest, identifying and characterizing subsets within broader cell populations or subcellular features. Many reporters have been generated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) due to its brightness and developmental neutrality. To compliment the large cohort of available GFP reporters that label cellular populations in early mouse embryos, we have generated a red fluorescent protein (RFP)-based transgenic reporter using the red fluorescent tdTomato protein driven by cis-regulatory elements from the mouse Hex locus. The Hex-tdTomato reporter predominantly labels endodermal cells. It is a bright RFP-based reporter of the distal visceral endoderm (DVE)/anterior visceral endoderm (AVE), a migratory population within the early post-implantation embryo. It also labels cells of the definitive endoderm (DE), which emerges at gastrulation. Dual-color visualization of these different early endodermal populations will provide a detailed understanding of the cellular behaviors driving key morphogenetic events involving the endoderm. Summary: A red fluorescent reporter under the regulatory control of the mouse Hex gene permits identification of different endodermal populations and visualization of dynamic cellular behaviors driving endoderm specification and morphogenesis.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: epidemiological and molecular study in a north‐east Italian population sample

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disease associated with a partial deletion on chromosome 4q35. Few relevant investigations have been reported on its epidemiology and were essentially based on clinical diagnosis, having been performed before recognition of the molecular mutation. We report an epidemiological survey on FSHD patients, in which the diagnosis was obtained by combined clinical and molecular evaluation. The survey concerned the north‐east Italian province of Padova, an area of 871,190 inhabitants (1 January 2004). We identified 40 patients affected by FSHD based on clinical diagnosis. In 33 of them, the EcoRI fragment size in the 4q35 region ranged from 14 to 35 kb. Four other patients belonging to the same family harbored a 38‐kb fragment. In these four cases, the relationship between the borderline deletion with the mild FSHD phenotype was corroborated by additional haplotype reconstruction and segregation analysis. Interestingly, the same mild facial‐sparing clinical pattern was apparent only in one other patient with an EcoRI fragment of 32 kb, suggesting that this unusual FSHD phenotype may be due to very small 4q35 deletions. On the whole, estimating a prevalence rate of 44 × 10−6, our survey confirmed FSHD as one of the most frequent neuromuscular disorders in Western populations.
Rates and Predictors of Invalid Baseline Test Performance in High School and Collegiate Athletes for 3 Computerized Neurocognitive Tests

Background: Preseason baseline testing using computerized neurocognitive tests (CNTs) is increasingly performed on athletes. Adequate effort is critical to establish valid estimates of ability, but many users do not evaluate performance validity, and the conditions that affect validity are not well understood across the available CNTs. Purpose: To examine the rates and predictors of invalid baseline performance for 3 popular CNTs: Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), Axon Sports, and Immediate Post-Concussion and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: High school and collegiate athletes (N = 2063) completed 2 of 3 CNTs each during preseason evaluations. All possible pairings were present across the sample, and the order of administration was randomized. Examiners provided 1-on-1, scripted pretest instructions, emphasizing the importance of good effort. Profile validity was determined by the manufacturers’ standard criteria. Results: The overall percentage of tests flagged as of questionable validity was lowest for ImPACT (2.7%) and higher for ANAM and Axon (10.7% and 11.3%, respectively). The majority of invalid baseline profiles were flagged as such because of failure on only 1 validity criterion. Several athlete and testing factors (eg, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], estimated general intellectual ability, administration order) predicted validity status for 1 or more CNTs. Considering only first CNT administrations and participants without ADHD and/or a learning disability (n = 1835) brought the rates of invalid baseline performances to 2.1%, 8.8%, and 7.0% for ImPACT, ANAM, and Axon, respectively. Invalid profiles on the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) were rare (1.8% of participants) and demonstrated poor correspondence to CNT validity outcomes. Conclusion: The validity criteria for these CNTs may not identify the same causes of invalidity or be equally sensitive to effort. The validity indicators may not be equally appropriate for some athletes (eg, those with neurodevelopmental disorders). Clinical Relevance: The data suggest that athletes do not put forth widespread low effort or that some validity criteria are more sensitive to invalid performance than others. It is important for examiners to be aware of the conditions that maximize the quality of baseline assessments and to understand what sources of invalid performance are captured by the validity criteria that they obtain.
Overcoming the effects of rogue taxa: Evolutionary relationships of the bee flies

Bombyliidae (5000 sp.), or bee flies, are a lower brachyceran family of flower-visiting flies that, as larvae, act as parasitoids of other insects. The evolutionary relationships are known from a morphological analysis that yielded minimal support for higher-level groupings. We use the protein-coding gene CAD and 28S rDNA to determine phylogeny and to test the monophyly of existing subfamilies, the divisions Tomophtalmae, and ‘the sand chamber subfamilies’. Additionally, we demonstrate that consensus networks can be used to identify rogue taxa in a Bayesian framework. Pruning rogue taxa post-analysis from the final tree distribution results in increased posterior probabilities. We find 8 subfamilies to be monophyletic and the subfamilies Heterotropinae and Mythicomyiinae to be the earliest diverging lineages. The large subfamily Bombyliinae is found to be polyphyletic and our data does not provide evidence for the monophyly of Tomophthalmae or the ‘sand chamber subfamilies’.
Efficacy and safety of splenectomy in adult autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Abstract Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare hematologic disease, primarily affecting adults or children with immunodeficiency disease. First-line therapy consists of long course of steroids administration, with an early complete response rate (CRr) of 75-80%, but up to 20-30% of patients requires a second-line therapy. Rituximab is the first choice in refractory old AIHA patients, because of its safety and efficacy (early CRr at 80-90% and at 68% at 2-3 years). For this reason, splenectomy is even less chosen as second-line therapy in elderly, even though laparoscopic technique decreased complication and mortality rates. However, splenectomy can be still considered a good therapeutic option with a CRr of 81% at 35.6 months in patients older than 60 year-old, when rituximab administration cannot be performed.
Effect of sample size and staining methods on stallion sperm morphometry by the Sperm Class Analyzer

Computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis has improved the assessment of sperm morphology, but the results depend on the use of adequate evaluation and staining procedures of spermatozoa from individual species. In this study, the morphological module of the Sperm Class Analyzer ® was used for the morphometric analysis of stallion sperm heads and midpieces. Semen samples were obtained from six fertile stallions in order to evaluate the influence of three staining procedures (Diff-Quik, Hemacolor and Harris' Haematoxylin) on the accuracy of image processing and sperm morphometry, and the effect of the sample size on sperm morphometric measurements. Harris' Haematoxylin was the staining technique of choice on the accuracy of the image process- ing with an optimum contrast of sperm cells with the surrounding background that allows an efficient bound- ary detection and segmentation which results in the highest proportion of sperm heads and midpieces assessed (80.47%). The results indicate that the staining methods affected significantly the sperm dimensions with increased values from Diff-Quik than Hemacolor and Harris' Haematoxylin respectively (Diff-Quik > Hemacolor > Harris' Haematoxylin). No differences in morphometric parameters were found when 100, 150, 175 or 200 spermatozoa were analysed. In conclusion, to obtain objective and accurate sperm morphometric measurements by the Sperm Class Analyzer ® system in the stallion, it's recommended the analysis of 100 spermatozoa from slides which have been previously stained with Harris' Haematoxylin.
Effect of Age and Method on Ileal Endogenous Amino Acid Flow in Turkey Poults 1

Ileal endogenous amino acid (IEAA) ﬂow in turkey poults was determined at 2 experimental locations on d 5, 15, and 21 posthatch using 3 methods, namely a N-free diet (NFD), a highly digestible protein (casein), and the regression method, obtained by regressing IEAA ﬂow against dietary casein levels. The diets were semipuriﬁed and contained 0, 50, 100, or 150 g of casein/kg of diet as the sole source of dietary protein. Each diet was fed for 5 d to 6 replicate cages of 30 (d 5), 10 (d 15), or 8 (d 21) birds per cage. There was no interaction between locations and age or locations and diet, so the data from both locations were pooled. Ileal endogenous amino acid ﬂow on d 5 (NFD method) was higher ( P < 0.05) than on d 15 or 21. Ileal endogenous amino acid ﬂow estimated from the NFD and the regression methods was different
Effect of Glycerol on Cell Kinetics and Tumorigenesis in Mouse Lung Following Urethan Administration

Extending previous studies, we hypothesized that glycerol modulates pulmonary tumorigenesis in mice through metabolic activation in bronchiolar cells. To test this, we examined the effects of glycerol on pulmonary cell kinetics and tumorigenesis induced by urethan. Male ddY mice were given 1 mg/g urethan and/or 5% glycerol solution for a fixed period. [3H]Thymidine autoradiography revealed that glycerol administration significantly suppressed the urethan-induced facilitation of cell kinetics of the bronchiolar cells (p<0.05), but not that of the alveolar wall cells. Furthermore, glycerol did not affect urethan-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis. These findings suggest that glycerol modifies the metabolism of carcinogens in the bronchiolar epithelium.
Family planning practices among married males in North Bengal

Background : In a male dominated society women bear the brunt and carry the burden of reproductive ill health which can be prevented to a certain extent by active participation of men. It necessitated more research work to study mens reproductive health and family planning practices encompassing both rural and urban male with a community based approach. There was a dearth of studies particularly in West Bengal and North-East on this matter. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of different contraceptive methods among the married males whose wife is in reproductive age group and to determine associated socio-demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in rural and urban areas of Siliguri Sub-division of northern West Bengal for one year. Multi staged sampling was followed. A total of 298 married males were interviewed by house to house visit with help of a pretested , predesigned, semi-structured schedule encompassing socio-demographic profile and family planning and based on Demographic Health Survey . Results: Majority of the study subjects were semi-professional. Majorities were Hindu and belonged to general caste. 68.8% were currently using any forms of contraception with OCP being the most popular. Absolute majority among both the urban and rural subjects felt both husband and wife should decide jointly on number of future children. Conclusion : Quite high percentages of males were adopting family planning . No significant urban- rural difference existed regarding current practice of family planning. Although, significant difference existed regarding socio demographic profile.
Formulation and Characterization of Patient-Friendly Dosage Form of Ondansetron Hydrochloride

Ondansetron hydrochloride is an intensely bitter antiemetic drug used to treat nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. The purpose of the present work was to mask the taste of ondansetron hydrochloride and to formulate its patient-friendly dosage form. Complexation technique using indion 234 (polycyclic potassium with carboxylic functionality) and an ion-exchange resin was used to mask the bitter taste and then the taste-masked drug was formulated into an orodispersible tablet (ODT). The drug loading onto the ion-exchange resin was optimized for mixing time, activation, effect of pH, mode of mixing, ratio of drug to resin and temperature. The resinate was evaluated for taste masking and characterized by X-ray diffraction study and infrared spectroscopy. ODTs were formulated using the drug–resin complex. The developed tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, drug content, weight variation, content uniformity, friability, water absorption ratio, in vitro and in vivo disintegration time and in vitro drug release. The tablets disintegrated in vitro and in vivo within 24 and 27 s, respectively. Drug release from the tablet was completed within 2 min. The obtained results revealed that ondansetron HCl has been successfully taste masked and formulated into an ODT as a suitable alternative to the conventional tablets.
Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Land- and Water-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: Traditional land-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been shown to provide improvement in physical performance and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The training effects of a water environment in pulmonary patients have only been briefly investigated. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare quality of life and physical performance in land- and water-based PR. METHODS: The study included participants of a land- or water-based PR program. Twenty land- and water-based participants with stable COPD disease were retrospectively matched within 20 mL of their forced expiratory ventilation in 1 second. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed on each group's 6-minute walk test distance; 6-repetition maximum strength tests for the knee, hip, and shoulder; and mental and physical health summary scores of the Medical Outcomes Short-form 36. RESULTS: Each group significantly improved in all outcome measurements, but there was no difference found in the improvements between the land- or water-based groups. CONCLUSION: Clinicians can consider water-based PR exercise program as another treatment option, if available, for patients with COPD and expect similar benefits to traditional land-based PR programs including improved walk distances, strength, and perception of well-being.
Proton MR Spectroscopy of Intracranial Tumours: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) was used to investigate intracranial tumours in vitro and in vivo. Biopsy specimens were studied from 47 patients, 11 of whom were also examined in vivo. Analysis was based on the signals from N-acetylaspartate (NAA), phosphocreatine plus creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds (Cho), alanine (Ala), and lactate. Biopsy data from 26 astrocytomas showed that the NAA/Cr ratio differs significantly in all grades from its value in normal white matter and that the Cho/Cr ratio differs significantly in grade IV tumours from its value in the other grades. Meningiomas have an unusually high Ala/Cr ratio. Spectra obtained in vivo are consistent with in vitro results from the same patients, and their lactate signal provides additional information about abnormal metabolism. We conclude that 1H MRS has a clear role in the diagnosis and biochemical assessment of intracranial tumours and in the evaluation and monitoring of therapy.