Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pterostilbene inhibits inflammation and ROS production in chondrocytes by activating Nrf2 pathway

Pterostilbene has been reported as a potential drug to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the effect of pterostilbene on chondrocytes and osteoarthritis remains to be elucidated. We sought to investigate whether pterostilbene could protect chondrocytes from inflammation and ROS production through factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. The pterostilbene toxicity on chondrocytes collected from cartilages of Sprague-Dawley rats was assessed by CCK-8 test. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting explored the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Nrf2 expression was silenced by siRNA to evaluate the involvement of Nrf2 in the effect of pterostilbene on chondrocytes. Finally, osteoarthritis model was established by the transection of anterior cruciate ligament and partial medial meniscectomy in rats, and then these rats received pterostilbene 30 mg/kg, daily, p.o. for 8 weeks. Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to assess histopathological change and Nrf2 expression in cartilage. Nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was stimulated by pterostilbene without cellular toxicity. Pterostilbene inhibited the level of COX-2, iNOS, PGE2, and NO, as well as the mitochondrial and total intracellular ROS production induced by IL-1β in chondrocytes, partially reversed by the Nrf2 silencing. Pterostilbene prevented cartilage degeneration and promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in cartilage. These results suggest that pterostilbene could inhibit the IL-1β-induced inflammation and ROS production in chondrocytes by stimulating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2.
Learning to rank for information retrieval using layered multi-population genetic programming

To determine which documents are relevant and which are not to the user query is one central problem broadly studied in the field of information retrieval (IR). Learning to rank for information retrieval (LR4IR), which leverages supervised learning-based methods to address the problem, aims to produce a ranking model automatically for defining a proper sequential order of related documents according to the given query. The ranking model is employed to determine the relationship degree between one document and the user query, based on which a ranking of query-related documents could be produced. In this paper we proposed an improved RankGP algorithm using multi-layered multi-population genetic programming to obtain a ranking function, trained from collections of IR results with relevance judgments. In essence, the generated ranking function is consisted of a set of IR evidences (or features) and particular predefined GP operators. The proposed method is capable of generating complex functions through evolving small populations. LETOR 4.0 was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method and the results showed that the method is competitive with RankSVM and AdaRank.
Different Views about the Nature of Gender-Related Asymmetries in Tasks Based on Biological or Artefact Categories

Sex-related asymmetries in the ability to process different semantic categories have been reported both in normal subjects and in brain-damaged patients, but the nature of these asymmetries is still controversial. Some authors suggest that these differences might be due to social-role related familiarity factors, whereas others attribute them to inborn neural differences rooted in evolution. Drawing in part on this second line of thought, some authors have suggested that gender-related asymmetries might be due to differences in stimulus processing between men and women, namely, to the tendency of females to focus mainly on perceptual features and of males to focus equally on both perceptual and functional features. To test this hypothesis, we asked 53 male and 65 female undergraduate students to evaluate the relevance of a number of perceptual and functional features in the representation of various kinds of biological and artefact categories. Contrary to the hypothesis, evaluation of the weight of different sources of knowledge in representing living and artefact categories was similar in males and females.
Pattern of childbearing and mortality in married women--a national prospective study from Norway.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different pattern of childbearing on total mortality. DESIGN--A cohort study with all currently married women aged 25 years or more at the Norwegian census in 1970 with follow up to the end of 1985. Information on childbearing was obtained by questionnaires collected by enumerators. Follow up on death was found by a linkage based on the unique Norwegian identification number, between census information and the death register in the Central Bureau of Statistics. SETTING--The study was a national population survey. PARTICIPANTS--A total of 822,593 women with 11.5 million years of follow up and 112,023 deaths. MAIN RESULTS--Nulliparous women had higher mortality than parous women in all age groups. Parity showed a weak association with increasing mortality among high parous women. Lowest mortality was found for parous women with 2-4 children and a late first and last birth, adjusted for socioeconomic group by level of women's education. CONCLUSION--The findings indicate that postponed childbearing may benefit the health of women.
Expression pattern of somatostatin receptor subtypes 1–5 in human skin: an immunohistochemical study of healthy subjects and patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis

Abstract: In psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, the inflammatory events have neurogenic components and the neuropeptides modify the functions of immuno‐active cells in the skin. Somatostatin is a neuropeptide with several neuroendocrine and immunomodulating properties and mediates its actions by five distinct subtypes of G‐protein‐coupled receptors (SSTR1‐5). This study describes the distribution of SSTR1–5, analysed with immunohistochemistry, in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and controls. Normal human skin and lesional skin from patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis showed many similarities, but also some differences, as regards SSTR expression. SSTR1–3 were strongly expressed in the epidermis of healthy skin, and in the skin of patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. It is noteworthy that SSTR4 and 5 were strongly expressed in the epidermis of psoriasis patients, but weakly expressed in the epidermis of those with atopic dermatitis and normal skin. The intensity of the staining also varied considerably between the different layers of the epidermis, especially in psoriasis patients. In all cases, the dendritic cells, found mostly in the papillary and upper reticular dermis, showed a strong expression of SSTR1–4, but a weak expression of SSTR5. SSTR1–5 were strongly expressed in the sweat glands in all skin biopsies. Hair follicles and sebaceous glands expressed all five subtypes. Striated muscle fibres showed an intense positive expression of SSTR1–4, but a weak or negative expression of SSTR5. The wide distribution and expression pattern of all five SSTRs in human skin suggest that somatostatin is involved in the interactions between the nervous system and the skin.
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON MICROALGAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS‐LIGHT RESPONSES MEASURED BY O2 PRODUCTION, PULSE‐AMPLITUDE‐MODULATED FLUORESCENCE, AND 14C ASSIMILATION 1

Short‐term temperature effects on photosynthesis were investigated by measuring O2 production, PSII‐fluorescence kinetics, and 14C‐incorporation rates in monocultures of the marine phytoplankton species Prorocentrum minimum (Pavill.) J. Schiller (Dinophyceae), Prymnesium parvum f. patelliferum (J. C. Green, D. J. Hibberd et Pienaar) A. Larsen (Coccolithophyceae), and Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin (Bacillariophyceae), grown at 15°C and 80 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1. Photosynthesis versus irradiance curves were measured at seven temperatures (0°C–30°C) by all three approaches. The maximum photosynthetic rate (PCmax) was strongly stimulated by temperature, reached an optimum for Pro. minimum only (20°C–25°C), and showed a similar relative temperature response for the three applied methods, with Q10 ranging from 1.7 to 3.5. The maximum light utilization coefficient (αC) was insensitive or decreased slightly with increasing temperature. Absolute rates of O2 production were calculated from pulse‐amplitude‐modulated (PAM) fluorometry measurements in combination with biooptical determination of absorbed quanta in PSII. The relationship between PAM‐based O2 production and measured O2 production and 14C assimilation showed a species‐specific correlation, with 1.2–3.3 times higher absolute values of PCmax and αC when calculated from PAM data for Pry. parvum and Ph. tricornutum but equivalent for Pro. minimum. The offset seemed to be temperature insensitive and could be explained by a lower quantum yield for O2 production than the theoretical maximum (due to Mehler‐type reactions). Conclusively, the PAM technique can be used to study temperature responses of photosynthesis in microalgae when paying attention to the absorption properties in PSII.
Integrin α5β1 Function Is Regulated by XGIPC/kermit2 Mediated Endocytosis during Xenopus laevis Gastrulation

During Xenopus gastrulation α5β1 integrin function is modulated in a temporally and spatially restricted manner, however, the regulatory mechanisms behind this regulation remain uncharacterized. Here we report that XGIPC/kermit2 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the α5 subunit and regulates the activity of α5β1 integrin. The interaction of kermit2 with α5β1 is essential for fibronectin (FN) matrix assembly during the early stages of gastrulation. We further demonstrate that kermit2 regulates α5β1 integrin endocytosis downstream of activin signaling. Inhibition of kermit2 function impairs cell migration but not adhesion to FN substrates indicating that integrin recycling is essential for mesoderm cell migration. Furthermore, we find that the α5β1 integrin is colocalized with kermit2 and Rab 21 in embryonic and XTC cells. These data support a model where region specific mesoderm induction acts through kermit2 to regulate the temporally and spatially restricted changes in adhesive properties of the α5β1 integrin through receptor endocytosis.
Mortality after discharge from the intensive care unit during the early weekend period: a population‐based cohort study in Denmark

Background: As a result of a shortage of intensive care capacity, patients may be discharged prematurely early during weekends which may lead to an increased mortality and risk of readmission to intensive care units (ICU). We examined whether discharge from the ICU during the first part of the weekend was associated with an increased mortality and readmission to the ICU.
Determine Prevalence of Hypertension and Risk Factors among Employees Working at Port Said University

Background: Essential Hypertension (HTN) is a challenge for public health professionals all over the world. It is the leading and most important modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, renal diseases and retinopathy. People's occupations during their working years can clearly be a risk for hypertension, this can be seen amongst employees of the profession where working is mostly sedentary as university employees. So. The Aim: Of the present study is to determine prevalence of hypertension and study of risk factors related to occurrence of hypertension among employees working at Port Said University. Study Sample and Setting: The study was done on 467 employees (287 females and 180 males) in all faculties of Port Said University. Tool: A questionnaire sheet developed by the researchers was used to collect data from employees, blood pressure, weight and height were also measured. Results: The study results revealed that 24.9% of the total sample suffers from hypertension, 46% of them were obese, a statistical significant association was found between age, years of experience, body mass index and hypertension. Conclusion: Obesity, years of experience, age might be risk factors for hypertension in the university employees. Recommendation: This study highlighted the needs for more studies to detect hypertension and explore other risk factors associated with it for employees of such profession. There is also a need to encourage public health professionals to carry out awareness and prevention programs among this group of people.
Energy budget and propagation of faults via shearing and opening using work optimization

We present numerical models of faults propagating by work optimization in a homogeneous medium. These simulations allow quantification and comparison of the energy budgets of fault growth by shear versus tensile failure. The energy consumed by growth of a fault, Wgrow, propagating by in‐line shearing is 76% of the total energy associated with that growth, while 24% is spent on frictional work during propagation. Wgrow for a fault propagating into intact rock by tensile failure, at an angle to the parent fault, consumes 60% of the work budget, while only 6% is consumed by frictional work associated with propagation. Following the conservation of energy, this leaves 34% of the energy budget available for other activities and suggests that out‐of‐plane propagation of faults in Earth's crust may release energy for other processes, such as permanent damage zone formation or rupture acceleration. Comparison of these estimates of Wgrow with estimates of the critical energy release rate and earthquake fracture energy at several scales underscores their theoretical similarities and their dependence on stress drop.
The effects of neonatal stress on brain development: Implications for psychopathology

Recent studies have focused on the behavioral and neurobiological sequella of exposure to early adverse events. We hypothesize that early adverse experiences result in an increased sensitivity to the effects of stress later in life and render an individual vulnerable to stress-related psychiatric disorders. This vulnerability may be mediated by persistent changes in corticotropin-releasing-factor (CRF)-containing neurons, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and the sympathetic nervous system. We therefore present an overview of the CRF system and its role as a mediator in the development of the stress response, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The literature pertaining to behavioral and neurobiological alterations associated with exposure to early adverse life events in rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans is reviewed. We focus on animal models that precipitate depressive and anxiety symptoms while producing neuroendocrine alterations that mimic those seen in adults with those disorders. The literature integrating neurobiological and behavioral consequences of early life stress is also reviewed, focusing primarily on infants born to mothers with depression and on infants who were abused or neglected.
Symptoms of low blood pressure: a population study.

OBJECTIVE--To establish whether an association exists between blood pressures in the "low normal" range and common symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, headache, and palpitation, as suggested by French and German medical practice but not English or American medical practice. DESIGN--Cross sectional population based survey (the health and lifestyle survey) of blood pressure measurements and self reported common symptoms. Results were analysed by combined stratification and logistic regression. SUBJECTS--7383 (82%) Adults aged 18 and over chosen from the electoral register in England, Wales, and Scotland for the health and lifestyle survey, in whom satisfactory physiological measurements were taken, from 9003 in the interviewed sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Body mass index, smoking, social class, exercise, self declared physical illnesses, hours slept, use of drugs, and psychological illness as determined with the general health questionnaire assessed as potential confounders. RESULTS--True confounders were sex, age, taking of drugs, physical illness, exercise, and body mass index. A negative association was found between systolic blood pressure and self reported tiredness and feeling faint, which persisted after adjustment for the confounders. The association was strongest in women aged under 50. A negative association between systolic blood pressure and headache and a positive association between systolic blood pressure and palpitation were explained by confounding by age. CONCLUSIONS--Systemic hypotension is associated with persistent tiredness but treatment is not suggested as either possible or necessary. Instead, low blood pressures may be associated with opposite effects on mortality contrasted with morbidity.
Does household access to improved water and sanitation in infancy and childhood predict better vocabulary test performance in Ethiopian, Indian, Peruvian and Vietnamese cohort studies?

Objective Test associations between household water and sanitation (W&S) and children's concurrent and subsequent Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) scores. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Ethiopia, India, Peru, Vietnam. Participants 7269 children. Primary outcome measures PPVT scores at 5 and 8 years. Key exposure variables were related to W&S, and collected at 1, 5 and 8 years, including ‘improved’ water (eg, piped, public tap or standpipe) and ‘improved’ toilets (eg, collection, storage, treatment and recycling of human excreta). Results Access to improved water at 1 year was associated with higher language scores at 5 years (3/4 unadjusted associations) and 8 years (4/4 unadjusted associations). Ethiopian children with access to improved water at 1 year had test scores that were 0.26 SD (95% CI 0.17 to 0.36) higher at 5 years than children without access. Access to improved water at 5 years was associated with higher concurrent PPVT scores (in 3/4 unadjusted associations), but not later scores (in 1/4 unadjusted associations). 5-year-old Peruvian children with access to improved water had better concurrent performance on the PPVT (0.44 SD, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.59) than children without access to improved water. Toilet access at 1 year was also associated with better PPVT scores at 5 years (3/4 unadjusted associations) and sometimes associated with test results at 8 years (2/4 unadjusted associations). Toilet access at 5 years was associated with concurrent PPVT scores (3/4 unadjusted associations). More than half of all associations in unadjusted models (water and toilets) persisted in adjusted models, particularly for toilets in India, Peru and Vietnam. Conclusions Access to ‘improved’ water and toilets had independent associations with children's PPVT scores that often persisted with adjustment for covariates. Our findings suggest that effects of W&S may go beyond subacute and acute infections and physical growth to include children's language performance, a critical component of cognitive development.
Online contribution practices in countries that engage in internet blocking and censorship

In this article we describe people's online contribution practices in contexts in which the government actively blocks access to or censors the Internet. We argue that people experience blocking as confusing, as a motivation for self-censorship online, as a cause of impoverishment of available content and as a real threat of personal persecution. Challenging ideas of blocking as a monolithic, abstract policy, we discuss five strategies with which Internet users navigate blocking: self-censorship, cultivating technical savvy, reliance on social ties to relay blocked content, use of already blocked sites for content production as a form of protection and practiced transparency. We also discuss strategies that forum owners and blogging platform providers employ to deal with and to avoid blocking. We conclude by advocating for more research that acknowledges the complexity of the contexts in which all Internet users contribute to the Internet and social media.
The challenged identity of a field: The state of the art of eParticipation research

A growing number of research contributions deal with the issues of technologically mediated participation in public decision-making in an ever-wider number of disciplinary fields. As research on eParticipation begins to mushroom, the effort of the international research community in this area is being put in creating an identifiable common framework for eParticipation research. Among other instruments, trying to establish a solid body of literature to be referred to mainly pursues this. But how is this process actually evolving? Which are the currently available outcomes of this effort? What is the nature of the research framing process in progress so far? In this paper I analyse the features of a literature database on eParticipation developed within DEMO-net, the European Network of Excellence on eParticipation research. I conduct a quantitative analysis on the 651 items of the DEMO-net bibliographical library and a qualitative review of 73 items. Results show that the acknowledged literature on eParticipation features a surprisingly little occurrence of all the expected central key concepts and instruments of eParticipation, while the majority of the contributions are descriptive in nature and come from non-journal sources. Findings depict a research field still in search of a more coherent, stronger identity, and suggest the need for concept clarification and dissemination, more strictly connected to empirical and interpretative studies.
The evolutionary history of the genus Timarcha (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) inferred from mitochondrial COII gene and partial 16S rDNA sequences.

The apterous genus Timarcha consists of three subgenera and more than 100 species in its Palearctic distribution, with specialized feeding on few plant families. Fifty-four sequences sampled from 31 taxa of the genus plus three outgroup leaf beetles were studied for their complete cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and a fragment of 16S rDNA mitochondrial genes, representing a total of about 1200 bp. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum-parsimony and distance methods for each gene separately and for the combined data set gave compatible topologies. The subgenus Metallotimarcha consistently appears in a basal position and is well differentiated from the remaining Timarcha, but no clear monophyletic grouping of Timarchostoma and Timarcha s. str. subgenera can be deduced from our analysis. Calibration of the molecular clock has been done using the opening of the Gibraltar Strait after the Messinian salinity crisis (about 5.5 MYA) as the biogeographic event causing disjunction of two particular taxa. Accordingly, the COII evolutionary rate has been estimated to be of 0.76 x 10(-8) substitution/site/year in Timarcha. Relation between phylogeny and host-plant use indicates widening of trophic regime as a derived character in Timarcha.