Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and age at onset of schizophrenia

A number of studies support a possible link between mitochondrial dysfunction and schizophrenia. To test the hypothesis of a direct contribution of mitochondrial DNA (mt‐DNA) in susceptibility to DSM‐IV‐TR‐schizophrenia, we looked for differences in the frequency distribution of the major European haplogroups (hgs) in 142 patients and 190 controls both of Italian origin. A subgroup of patients (N = 37) and healthy counterparts (N = 41) was also analyzed for possible differences in the relative amount of mt‐DNA versus nuclear‐DNA in blood cells. Patients and controls were comparable for hg frequency distribution and the relative levels of mt‐DNA even after stratification by gender and schizophrenia subtype. However, patients harboring the hg J‐T showed an anticipated onset of the disorder. These results indicate that the J‐T hg of mt‐DNA may have a modulator effect on deeper determinants of schizophrenia. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of alcohol intake on insulin sensitivity in men: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Population data suggest that alcohol consumption may influence the risk of diabetes in a biphasic manner, but this has not been tested by any controlled interventions. The object of this study was to determine whether reducing alcohol intake in moderate-to-heavy drinkers (40-110 g/day) results in improvement in insulin sensitivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 4-week run-in period where subjects maintained their usual drinking pattern was followed by randomization to a two-way cross-over intervention study. In each of two 4-week treatment interventions, subjects either substituted their usual alcohol intake with a 0.9% alcohol beer or maintained their usual alcohol intake. At the end of each 4-week period, insulin sensitivity as determined by the low-dose insulin glucose infusion test and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score, and biomarkers of alcohol consumption (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [gamma-GT] and HDL cholesterol) were measured. RESULTS A total of 16 healthy men aged 51.0 +/- 2.7 (mean +/- SEM) years with a BMI of 26.4 +/- 0.61 kg/m(2) completed the study. There was a large reduction in alcohol intake (72.4 +/- 5.0 vs. 7.9 +/- 1.6 g/day, P < 0.001) and significant reductions in gamma-GT (geometric mean 24.4 units/l [95% CI 19.7-30.2] vs. 18.6 units/l [15.5-22.2], P < 0.01) and HDL cholesterol (1.36 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.13 +/- 0.07 mmol/l, P < 0.001). There was no effect of alcohol on insulin sensitivity index (ISI), fasting insulin, glucose, or HOMA score. CONCLUSIONS A substantial reduction in alcohol intake from 7.2 to 0.8 standard drinks per day in healthy men did not change insulin sensitivity as measured by ISI or HOMA score.
Karyotype analysis of medicinal plant Liriope spicata var. prolifera (Liliaceae)

Karyotype of Liriope spicata var. prolifera, a Chinese endemic species, was described in detail for the first time. Its proto-variety L. spicata was also investigated for comparison. The basic chromosome number of these two species was x = 18. L. spicata var. prolifera, recorded as triploid 2n = 54, consisted of 30 metacentric chromosomes and 24 submetacentric chromosomes. Only one chromosome of the 11th group had a secondary constriction with a satellite in the short arm. L. Spicata was tetraploid 2n = 72 and consisted of four sets of 6 submetacentric chromosomes and 12 metacentric chromosomes without visible satellites. This paper provides further available data on Liriope chromosomes, and also indicates that L. spicata var. prolifera and L. spicata are probably separate species.
Toward a critical multiracial theory in education

Abstract This manuscript lays the foundation for a critical multiracial theory (MultiCrit) in education. The author uses extant literature and their own research that focused on multiraciality on the college campus to explore how CRT can move toward MultiCrit, which is well-positioned to frame multiracial students’ experiences with race in education.
The Difference in the Life Satisfaction and Job Satisfaction of Nursing Teachers Depending on their Socio-Demographic Characteristics

The purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of the sociodemographic characteristics of nursing teachers on their life satisfaction and job satisfaction. For the study, a survey was conducted on a sample of nursing teachers in Seoul, and the SPSS program was used for the analysis. First, the study showed that the level of life satisfaction varied significantly depending on the different socio-demographic characteristics of nursing teachers. Second, it was revealed that the socio-demographic characteristics of nursing teachers also significantly influence their job satisfaction. Such results imply that the better the life quality of nursing teachers, the more their job satisfaction is influenced. The implications of this study are expected to become fundamental data for the utilization of polices that can effectively enhance the life quality and treatment of nursing teachers.
Novel agents improve survival of transplant patients with multiple myeloma including those with high-risk disease defined by early relapse (<12 months)

The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has changed with the advent of thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide, the so-called novel agents (NAs). Given the complexity of MM therapy in the NA era we pursued a population based study to assess for improvements in survival as well as to characterize the relevance of early relapse (within 12 months) and the International Staging System in this clinical setting. We reviewed our experience with 460 patients with MM treated with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) between 1988 and 2008, of whom 306 had relapsed. The cohort was divided into two groups based upon relapse pre-2004 and relapse during/after 2004 (2004+), which correlated to availability of bortezomib and lenalidomide. Improvements in both overall survival (OS) (median 32.0 months vs. 71.8 months; p < 0.001) and post-relapse survival (PRS) (median 15.2 months vs. 42.8 months; p < 0.001) correlated with the NA era. Exposure to NAs conferred a better PRS (median 35.7 months vs. 9.1 months; p < 0.001). Although all patients had improvements in survival, those who relapsed late continued to do better. Lastly, in the NA era, the ISS remains an important prognostic tool in relapse, but only in the late relapsing cohort.
TRA-1 ChIP-seq reveals regulators of sexual differentiation and multilevel feedback in nematode sex determination

Significance Sex-determining genes have been identified in many animals, but how they impose sex specificity on development is poorly understood. We ask how the nematode sex-determining transcription factor Transformer 1 (TRA-1) regulates sex by identifying where in the genome TRA-1 binds and which nearby genes may be affected by this binding. We find that TRA-1 promotes female development primarily by preventing the expression of genes involved in male development. Among the genes repressed by TRA-1 are a number that control the timing of developmental events and also several that function upstream of TRA-1 in the global sex-determination pathway. The suite of TRA-1 targets presented here provides a resource to continue uncovering the basis of sex-specific development. How sexual regulators translate global sexual fate into appropriate local sexual differentiation events is perhaps the least understood aspect of sexual development. Here we have used ChIP followed by deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) to identify direct targets of the nematode global sexual regulator Transformer 1 (TRA-1), a transcription factor acting at the interface between organism-wide and cell-specific sexual regulation to control all sex-specific somatic differentiation events. We identified 184 TRA-1–binding sites in Caenorhabditis elegans, many with temporal- and/or tissue-specific TRA-1 association. We also identified 78 TRA-1–binding sites in the related nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae, 19 of which are conserved between the two species. Some DNA segments containing TRA-1–binding sites drive male-specific expression patterns, and RNAi depletion of some genes adjacent to TRA-1–binding sites results in defects in male sexual development. TRA-1 binds to sites adjacent to a number of heterochronic regulatory genes, some of which drive male-specific expression, suggesting that TRA-1 imposes sex specificity on developmental timing. We also found evidence for TRA-1 feedback regulation of the global sex-determination pathway: TRA-1 binds its own locus and those of multiple upstream masculinizing genes, and most of these associations are conserved in C. briggsae. Thus, TRA-1 coordinates sexual development by reinforcing the sex-determination decision and directing downstream sexual differentiation events.
Lifestyle Factors and Metabolic Syndrome among Workers: The Role of Interactions between Smoking and Alcohol to Nutrition and Exercise

This study aimed to investigate (1) relations of smoking and alcohol to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, with nutrition and exercise controlled; and (2) interactions between smoking/alcohol and nutrition/exercise on MetS. This cross-sectional study enrolled 4025 workers. Self-reported lifestyles, anthropometric values, blood pressure (BP), and biochemical determinations were obtained. Among males, smoking significantly increased the risk of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), high triglyceride, abdominal obesity (AO), and MetS. Additionally, smoking showed significant interaction effects with nutrition on high BP, AO, and MetS; after further analysis, nutrition did not decrease above-mentioned risks for smokers. However, there was no significant interaction of smoking with exercise on any metabolic parameter. Alcohol increased the risk of AO, but decreased low HDL-C. It also showed an interaction effect with exercise on AO; after further analysis, exercise decreased AO risk for drinkers. Among females, alcohol significantly decreased the risk of high fasting blood glucose, but did not show significant interaction with nutrition/exercise on any metabolic parameter. In conclusion, in males, smoking retained significant associations with MetS and its components, even considering benefits of nutrition; exercise kept predominance on lipid parameters regardless of smoking status. Alcohol showed inconsistencies on metabolic parameters for both genders.
Three-dimensional Relationships of The Optic Radiation

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship of the optic radiation to the landmarks important in temporal lobe surgery. METHODS: The optic radiation was dissected by applying Klingler’s fiber dissection technique to 20 formalin-fixed human hemispheres. The dissections were performed with the operating microscope and imaged in three-dimensional photographs. Several measures quantified the relationship of the radiation to reliable surgical landmarks. RESULTS: In all specimens, the anterior loop of the radiation extended to the anterior tip of the roof of the temporal horn. The anterior edge of the optic radiation was located an average of 25 mm (range, 22–30 mm) behind the temporal pole. The optic radiation extended an average of 5 mm (range, 3–6 mm) anterior to the hippocampus head and 22 mm (range, 20–25 mm) anterior to the anterior edge of the lateral geniculate body. The optic radiation also extended an average of 2 mm (range, 1–3 mm) anterior to the tip of the temporal horn. The relationships of the optic radiation to important surgical landmarks are discussed. CONCLUSION: The optic radiation reached the anterior tip of the temporal horn. Resections that extend through the roof of the temporal horn more than 3 cm behind the temporal pole cross the anterior loop of the optic radiation.
Simple and Efficient ALE Methods with Provable Temporal Accuracy up to Fifth Order for the Stokes Equations on Time Varying Domains

We present a class of semi-implicit finite element (FE) schemes that uses arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methods (ALE) to solve the incompressible Navier--Stokes equations (NSE) on time varying domains. We use the $k$th order backward differentiation formula (BDF$k$) and Taylor--Hood $P_m/P_{m-1}$ finite elements. The well-known telescope formulas of BDF$k$ have been extended from $k=1,2$ to $k=3,4,5$. They enable us to prove that when $k\le 5$, for Stokes equations on a fixed domain, our schemes converge at rate $O(\Delta t^k + h^{m+1})$. When the domain is varying with respect to time and when $h/\Delta t=O(1)$, the convergence rate reduces to $O(\Delta t^k + h^{m})$. For analysis, we assume that meshes at different time levels have the same topology. Consequently, our methods do not require the computation of characteristic paths and are Jacobian-free. Numerical tests for NSE on time varying domains are presented. They indicate that our schemes may have full accuracy on time varying domains and can hand.
Pacing requirements after orthotopic heart transplantation: incidence and related factors.

To assess the incidence of severe bradyarrhythmia and pacing requirements after orthotopic heart transplantation, as well as the possible causal mechanisms, we have reviewed our experience on 52 consecutive transplant patients. The overall incidence of bradyarrhythmia requiring pacing for at least 24 hours after transplantation was 27% (14 patients). The conditions of three of them required pacing for less than 1 week; the conditions of the other 11 patients (21%) required pacing for more than 1 week. Normal sinus rhythm resumed in all but four patients within 3 weeks; a permanent pacemaker was implanted in these four patients (7.6% of all 52 patients and 28% of patients requiring temporary pacing). Late complete heart block associated with acute rejection developed in two patients whose conditions required implantation of a permanent pacemaker. The age and sex of the recipient and donor were similar for patients with or without bradyarrhythmia. The percentage of patients with or without bradyarrhythmias taking amiodarone before transplantation (57% and 46%, respectively), total ischemic time (133 +/- 33 and 123 +/- 37 minutes, respectively), and cardiopulmonary bypass time (117 +/- 17 and 132 +/- 65 minutes, respectively) were not significantly different for either group of patients. The initial temperature of cardioplegic solution for organ storage and the preimplantation myocardial temperature were, however, significantly lower in patients whose conditions required pacing immediately after transplantation than in those whose conditions did not require pacing (5.3 +/- 1.7 degrees C versus 6.5 +/- 1.5 degrees C, p less than 0.05, and 3.9 +/- 1.6 degrees C versus 5.7 +/- 2.6 degrees C, p less than 0.01, respectively). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
How educators build knowledge and expand their practice: The case of open education resources

The movement toward open education is requiring educators to expand and update their practice in order to keep up with the new demands being placed on them. This study explored how educators can engage in meaningful learning opportunities, which will facilitate the creation of expertise and knowledge, through the use of open education resources (OER). The article describes the design of the instrument employed to measure workplace learning through OER activity of adult educators (n = 522) and to report its internal reliability and convergent validity. Results indicate engagement with OER promote three levels of learning, each connected to the different types of knowledge educators require to integrate OER into their teaching practice.
A Challenge-Feedback Learning Approach to Teaching International Business

This article introduces a challenge-feedback learning (CFL) approach based on the goal-setting theory of human motivation, the deliberate practice theory of expert performance, and findings from the research on active and collaborative learning. The core of the teaching concept is the CFL cycle in which students repeatedly progress through four steps (Challenge–Act–Feedback–Reflect). Upon completion of one cycle, a new, more complex challenge is introduced in which students have the chance to go beyond their current skills level. The article also presents an example for an implementation of the CFL approach in an international business (IB) curriculum. The CFL approach is particularly useful for acquiring the problem-solving, adaptation, communication, metacognition, and intercultural teamwork skills needed in IB practice.
Gestational diabetes mellitus -- time to treat.

Gestational diabetes mellitus, broadly defined as carbohydrate intolerance beginning or first recognized during pregnancy,1,2 was originally described decades ago and has since been the subject of extensive research. Yet the most recent guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, noting the absence of data to establish a clear link between screening and improved outcomes of affected pregnancies, concluded that “the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for gestational diabetes. ”3 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists officially recommends screening for and treatment of gestational diabetes but acknowledges that these recommendations are based on “limited .
Lattice Walks in Zd and Permutations with No Long Ascending Subsequences

We identify a set of $d! $ signed points, called Toeplitz points , in ${{Z}}^d$, with the following property: for every $n>0$, the excess of the number of lattice walks of $n$ steps, from the origin to all positive Toeplitz points, over the number to all negative Toeplitz points, is equal to ${n\choose n/2}$ times the number of permutations of $\{1,2,\dots ,n\}$ that contain no ascending subsequence of length $>d$. We prove this first by generating functions, using a determinantal theorem of Gessel. We give a second proof by direct construction of an appropriate involution. The latter provides a purely combinatorial proof of Gessel's theorem by interpreting it in terms of lattice walks. Finally we give a proof that uses the Schensted algorithm.
Evaluation of Porin Interaction with Adenine Nucleotide Translocase and Cyclophilin-D Proteins after Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion

Objective (s) Porin is a mitochondrial outer membrane channel, which usually functions as the pathway for the movement of various substances in and out of the mitochondria and is considered to be a component of the permeability transition (PT) pore complex that plays a role in the PT. We addressed the hypothesis that porin interacts with other mitochondrial proteins after ischemic injury. Materials and Methods For this purpose, we used in vivo 4-vessel occlusion model of rat brain and porin purification method by hydroxyapatite column. After SDS gel electrophoresis and silver nitrate staining, Western blotting was done for porin, adenine nucleotide translocase and cyclophilin-D proteins. Results Porin was purified from mitochondrial mixture in ischemic brain and control groups. Investigation of interaction of adenine nucleotide transposes (ANT) and cyclophilin-D with porin by Western blotting showed no proteins co-purified with porin from injured tissues. Conclusion The present study implies that there may not be interaction between porin, and ANT or cyclophilin-D, and if there is any, it is not maintained during the purification procedure.
Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Temporally Resolved Phagosomes Following Uptake Via Key Phagocytic Receptors

Macrophages operate at the forefront of innate immunity and their discrimination of foreign versus “self” particles is critical for a number of responses including efficient pathogen killing, antigen presentation, and cytokine induction. In order to efficiently destroy the particles and detect potential threats, macrophages express an array of receptors to sense and phagocytose prey particles. In this study, we accurately quantified a proteomic time-course of isolated phagosomes from murine bone marrow-derived macrophages induced by particles conjugated to seven different ligands representing pathogen-associated molecular patterns, immune opsonins or apoptotic cell markers. We identified a clear functional differentiation over the three timepoints and detected subtle differences between certain ligand-phagosomes, indicating that triggering of receptors through a single ligand type has mild, but distinct, effects on phagosome proteome and function. Moreover, our data shows that uptake of phosphatidylserine-coated beads induces an active repression of NF-κB immune responses upon Toll-like receptor (TLR)-activation by recruitment of anti-inflammatory regulators to the phagosome. This data shows for the first time a systematic time-course analysis of bone marrow-derived macrophages phagosomes and how phagosome fate is regulated by the receptors triggered for phagocytosis.
Simultaneous determination of four coccidiostats in eggs and broiler meat: Validation of an LC-MS/MS method

A published confirmatory method for the quantitative determination of four ionophoric coccidiostats (lasalocid, monensin, salinomycin and narasin) in eggs and broiler meat has been further developed. It is proposed for replacement of liquid chromatography methods previously used in analysis of ionophoric coccidiostats. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified on a silica solid phase extraction column. Purified samples were analysed by liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry and the method, was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The validation parameters selectivity, linearity, specificity, precision, recovery, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were determined. The recoveries of coccidiostats analysed ranged from 64–99% in eggs and 62–100% in broiler meat. CCα varied from 0.8–1.4 µg/kg in eggs and from 1.5–2.5 µg/kg in broiler meat. CCβ varied from 0.9 µg/kg to 2.0 µg/kg in eggs and from 1.7–3.2 µg/kg in broiler meat.
Noggin Over-Expressing Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts and MS5 Stromal Cells Enhance Directed Differentiation of Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Directed methods for differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into dopaminergic (DA) precursor cells using stromal cells co-culture systems are already well established. However, not all of the hESCs differentiate into DA precursors using these methods. HSF6, H1, H7, and H9 cells differentiate well into DA precursors, but CHA13 and CHA15 cells hardly differentiate. To overcome this problem, we modified the differentiation system to include a co-culturing step that exposes the cells to noggin early in the differentiation process. This was done using γ-irradiated noggin-overexpressing CF1-mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF-noggin) and MS5 stromal cells (MS5-noggin and MS5-sonic hedgehog). After directed differentiation, RT-PCR analyses revealed that engrailed-1 (En-1), Lmx1b, and Nurr1, which are midbrain DA markers, were expressed regardless of differentiation stage. Moreover, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and an A9 midbrain-specific DA marker (Girk2) were expressed during differentiation, whereas levels of Oct3/4, an undifferentiated marker, decreased. Immunocytochemical analyses revealed that protein levels of the neuronal markers TH and TuJ1 increased during the final differentiation stage. These results demonstrate that early noggin exposure may play a specific role in the directed differentiation of DA cells from human embryonic stem cells.